Edinburgh is a beautiful city and certainly an inspirational place to study English. Although some learners find accents from certain parts of Scotland difficult to understand, the Edinburgh accent is very clear and the intonation is beautiful.
There is a very well-respected university in Edinburgh and lots of independent language schools to choose from. Of course, you’ll also be able to practise English in the shops bars, and restaurants, too.
The historic buildings in Edinburgh are well-preserved and the city is very compact. Walking is the best way to get around and there are some great walking tours where you can be shown around the city by an expert guide.
Although you can fly to Edinburgh, the most fun way to get there is by train from London. It’s a beautiful trip and takes about a day. If you want to admire the view, take a train during the day and if you want to save time, take the sleeper train and you’ll wake up in Edinburgh, ready to explore.
Edinburgh can be a little expensive but no more so than any of the other popular tourist destinations in the UK. If you intend to go during the summer, make sure you book your accommodation well in advance. There is a very famous festival in Edinburgh during the summer and, while it’s great fun to visit, it’s very crowded and might make it difficult for you to find anywhere to stay.
If you like golf, you’ll love Scotland. There are so many famous historic courses and having a chat while you play a round of golf is a fun way to practise your conversation skills. Of course, you can try some of the delicious local whiskey in the bar afterwards!
Today’s image is by Stuart Bell.