Social programme in Edinburgh

One of the objectives of the Caledonian Language School is to give you the clearest information possible before and during your course with us. When you arrive, all full-time students will receive an Induction Handbook, which will give you important information about the school, about learning English in Edinburgh, and about enjoying yourself outside school. This will include general information about ‘what’s on’ in the city: cultural and sporting facilities and events.

We’ll also keep you up to date in the school with notices about what’s on every week. You’ll have the opportunity to join an organised activity every fortnight: a visit to a place of local interest, such as the Royal Botanical Gardens, Holyrood Park, the Royal Mile museums, or a typical pub – if you’re lucky! As far as possible, there will be no charge for these activities. There may also be other visits related to your classes to the Scottish Parliament or the Law Courts.

Edinburgh itself is famous as a city of festivals, the most famous being the arts festival in August-September, but throughout the year there are others. Choose from the table below and click through for more information to help you plan your stay in Scotland’s capital.

Some festivals in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s most famous festival is the Edinburgh International Festival which takes place in August-September every year. World-famous orchestras, ballet, opera and theatre companies, are drawn to Scotland’s capital at this time. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe has grown up beside its official elder sister, bringing smaller amateur and professional groups to perform plays, musicals, dance, comedy and experimental shows of all kinds, often in small temporary venues all over the city – even in a bus!

At the same time, the visual arts are represented at the Edinburgh Art Festival in galleries throughout the city, while lovers of literature can enjoy the Book Festival in historic Charlotte Square, with the opportunity to hear and meet major writers from all over the world. And let’s not forget the spectacle of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the esplanade of the castle, also in August. Finally, Edinburgh celebrates the diversity of its different communities, with the Mela at the end of August.

August certainly sees a peak in festival activity in Edinburgh, but other months have their share of excitement. The year starts (or finishes, depending on how you look at it) with Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, a great big party based on the traditional Scottish

celebration of New Year. The whole of the city centre becomes one giant street party, with bands such as Primal Scream, Bombay Bicycle Club or Biffy Clyro playing in Princes Street Gardens in front of Edinburgh Castle.

Moving through the calendar, we find the Science Festival in March-April, the Imaginate Children’s Festival in May, and the Film Festival and Jazz Festival in June and July. Towards the end of the year in October is the Storytelling Festival, offering the opportunity to listen to stories told in a traditional way.

All of these festivals have a positive impact on the city as a cultural centre; even outside the festival times, there’s always a lot going on in Edinburgh!