Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is one of Europe’s most beautiful and vibrant cities, offering both medieval charm and the cultural amenities of a modern city. Visits around the city include the Castle, the Scotch Whiskey Experience, visits to the National Galleries, St. Giles Cathedral and for those who dare, a ghost tour to Greyfriars Cemetery, haunted by the infamous McKenzie Poltergeist. The Edinburgh Airport is a major gateway for international travel (with plenty of low-cost airlines operating across Europe).

Golf, ancient buildings, and the prestigious University of St. Andrews dominate the quaint town of St Andrews. Founded in 1413, the University of St Andrews is Scotland’s first university and the third oldest in the English-speaking world. From St. Andrews, we will be visiting some of Britain’s most beautiful castles, go hiking in the Highlands, visit Loch Ness, have a cèilidh in the local pubs and enjoy Scotland’s great outdoors, which includes kayaking in the North Sea, wandering along sea-side cliffs, and visiting a puffin colony.

Visits, tours and excursions are planned across Scotland and will complement the courses. Excursions may include visits to Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument, Linlithgow Palace, Rosslyn Chapel, Newhailes Manor House, and a gin or Scotch distillery.  Excursions from St Andrews may include the Isle of May, the Elie Chain Walk, and a 3-day Highlands trip that includes Inverness, Loch Ness, the Cairngorms, and Glencoe.   Transportation and entrance fees for all excursions and field trips is included in the program fees

You are free to leave on free weekends after all classes and scheduled events have ended. You are required to return for Monday’s classes. You should leave an itinerary with the JMU professor in Edinburgh or St. Andrews, and if possible, contact information (names and phone numbers) so we can contact you in case of emergency. Students are advised to take the JMU professors’ telephone numbers when they travel and keep an emergency money supply for the last day/night of the trip.

In Edinburgh, students will live in the South Clerk Street residence hall of the University of Edinburgh, which is a self-catered student accommodation ideal for those who want to live close to the heart of the city. From the dorm, students can walk to the city’s historic district and to the classrooms. Each student has their own room in a suite with other JMU students who share a bathroom. Students will cook their own meals in a communal kitchen near their room; a weekly meal stipend is provided to each student. 

In St. Andrews, students will live in a residence hall at the University, centrally located near the university gym, the Old Course and the main shopping area on Market Street.  Each student will have their own room and shared bathrooms.  Students will eat their meals in a dining hall.

All accommodations will include furnished bedrooms, with sheets and pillows provided, a shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Communal facilities include a library with a computer room, study rooms, a common room, and TV rooms.

The JMU program provides transportation from Edinburgh Airport to Brae House, from Edinburgh to St Andrews, and from St Andrews to Edinburgh Airport at the end of the program.