Flagler College: Scotland Hospitality Program (2023)

Fly overnight to Edinburgh.

Arrive in Edinburgh, get to your hotel and get settled. Later, get dinner and head out for Edinburgh: Late Night Underground Vaults Tour.

Today we go for a Visit of the most iconic building in Edinburgh – The Balmoral Hotel. Originally built as the North British (Railway Station) Hotel, is a luxury hotel located in the heart of the city. We take an accompanied tour through the entire hotel and understand the inner workings of what makes this luxurious property tick.

Later we get to learn about the history of the hotel and how hospitality has changed over the years since the hotel was built in 1895.

Start out the day with a tour of the Edinburgh Castle. The Castle stands on Castle Rock, which has been occupied by humans since at least the Iron Age. It stands upon the plug of an extinct volcano. The Castle is the second most visited tourist attraction in UK, we learn about how they keep up with such a large footfall. Within the castle is the National War Museum which we would also visit during our visit to the castle. Once we finish the visit, we grab some lunch and head over to explore the Royal Mile and learn how the scenery of this place has changed due to its impact on tourism.

Visit The Chocolatarium – Edinburgh’s Micro Chocolate Factory. Learn all about chocolate making, have fun making a generous assortment of your very own treats to take away and end your experience.
Also along with fun learn from our host how their chocolate is made from sustainably sourced plant and how they’re contributing to a greener earth following sustainable practices.

After breakfast, start your day with the Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour, a magical walking tour of Edinburgh and discover the city where the world of Harry Potter was conceived. After the tour we grab lunch. Later, take a stroll on Victoria Street. Then, visit Camera Obscura, Edinburgh’s oldest tourist attraction. The gallery focusses on visual illusions, featuring several experiences and hands-on activities to explore and enjoy.

We go for a day tour today. We are heading to St Andrews, home to some of the best golf courses in the world. We will visit the Old Course hotel at St Andrews and learn how golf is shaping to be the leading form of luxury tourism in Scotland and how it has affected the landscape of the Hospitality and Tourism industry in Scotland overall.

Today, start your day with a Visit to The Palace Of Holyroodhouse. Commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace or Holyroodhouse, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. Holyroodhouse has served as the principal royal residence in Scotland since the 16th century, and is a setting for state occasions and official entertaining.

Visit Greyfriars Kirkyard, Scotland’s most infamous graveyard. In addition to learning about the hidden history behind the graveyard, spot the burial places of famous individuals related to the history of Edinburgh. Afterwards we head to Princes Street for a stroll in the busiest market of Edinburgh.

Get an early start and head to Inverness. Once we arrive and get settled, we head out for a Wildlife Cruise. This cruise starts from Inverness Marina, on this Moray Firth boat tour, we will travel up the Beauly Firth towards the Caledonian Canal then turn and head out to the Inverness Firth under the Kessock bridge out as far as Munlochy Bay before returning to the marina. The Moray Firth is home to a delightful array of wildlife, from seals and otters to an abundance of birdlife. Dolphins too, and their smaller cousin the harbour porpoise. The Cruise will have a guide on board to tell us about the wildlife in the area.

After the Cruise, take a walk along the River Ness and end up at Leakey’s bookshop – This second-hand bookshop is the largest in Scotland, with books piled high everywhere you look. Leakey’s has been in business since 1979 and stocks everything from contemporary paperbacks to vintage prints, books and maps. After the bookshop explore High street, the city center of Inverness.

Start your day at the Inverness castle – dating back to the mid-1800s. It’s used as a court now so we can’t go inside, but we can wander around the grounds with their statue of Flora MacDonald, the woman who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden. We will also climb the castle tower to Inverness Castle Viewpoint. From the top there’s a 360-degree view over the city, with the Highlands in one direction and the Moray Firth in the other. Have the evening to yourself.
Head out for dinner at Mustard Seed. This restaurant is a converted church that serves seasonal Highland produce with a twist.
We learn from our host about how they keep up with no compromises to standards and manage the heavy footfall this busy restaurant gets everyday.

The hunt for Nessie is on! We then head out to Loch Ness to take a boat tour with Jacobite tours and hopefully we sight the Loch Ness Monster. The boat also makes a stop at the historic Urquhart Castle, Hop off here and discover its turbulent past. After the Boat Tour we head back to Inverness.

Later talk to our host from Jacobite tours, the best that offer a tour of Loch Ness, about how they have been so successful, the quality they provide and what makes them different from the rest.

Head out for an adventure of your own today. We go for The Ultimate Isle of Skye Tour. The Isle of Skye is connected to Scotland’s northwest coast by bridge, is known for its rugged landscapes, picturesque fishing villages and medieval castles. The largest island in the Inner Hebrides archipelago, it has an indented coastline of peninsulas and narrow lochs, radiating out from a mountainous interior. The town of Portree, a base for exploring the island, features harbourside pubs and boutiques. Learn what made this place to become mainstream from alternate tourism.

Today head back to Edinburgh. Have the rest of the day to yourself today alternatively, attend an Alternative Comedy Walking Tour conducted by Daniel, a thoroughly entertaining Comic Actor who has been imparting knowledge about the City, the funny way.