October newsletter from ECS Scotland
Coorie in and cosy up to a new season of learning
The nights are drawing in. There’s a chill in the Edinburgh air. The leaves are turning red and gold. It’s the perfect time to slow down, wrap up and coorie in — a Scottish phrase meaning to snuggle, get cosy and feel safe from the wind outside.
At ECS Scotland, we love this time of year. Autumn is when the city shows off its quieter, darker beauty. It’s also a great time to keep learning whether that means joining an English course in person or staying connected from home with a good book, a podcast and a steaming mug of tea beside you.
As we say in Scotland: “Better tae bend than tae break.”
(Translation: Sometimes it’s wiser to adapt to the season than fight against it.)
But October isn’t only for spooky tales and warm drinks. It’s a chance to learn something new, explore Scottish culture and practise your English in fresh and engaging ways. This month’s guide includes:
- 🎃 A creative English course to build wellbeing and vocabulary
- 🏴 Chilling tales from Scottish history — with a listening task
- 🎶 Songs, traditions and seasonal recipes
- 📖 A gripping Edinburgh-set novel
- 📌 Indoor learning ideas as the weather changes
🧘 Featured course: English with Yoga & Wellbeing (6–10 October)
October can feel like a seasonal reset. The summer rush is over. The days get shorter. So it’s the perfect time to slow down and reconnect with your body, your breath and your English.
Our 5-day English with Yoga & Wellbeing course is designed to help you feel calm, restored and confident. You will
- Practise useful vocabulary for health, body and mindfulness
- Join a yoga & wellbeing workshop to try different techniques and practises
- Develop speaking and listening skills through group conversation
- Learn in a small, supportive class (maximum 5 students)
- Enjoy time to reflect, relax and reset
☕ After class, why not visit one of Edinburgh’s cosy cafés in a bookshop or walk the Water of Leith to spot autumn colours and breathe the fresh crisp air?
🕯️ Watch & listen: Scottish Halloween and the roots of Samhuinn
Where did Halloween really begin? Not in Hollywood but right here in Scotland.
Halloween as we know it today has deep roots in Scottish and Celtic traditions. The ancient festival of Samhuinn (pronounced sow-in) marked the end of harvest and the beginning of the darker half of the year. It was a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was thought to be thin, a liminal moment full of stories, spirits and superstition.
Today, that sense of mystery lives on in Edinburgh’s shadowy closes, underground vaults and haunted history tours. If you’re in the city this October, you can visit one of the most haunted places in Scotland the Blair Street Underground Vaults. Other events happening in Edinburgh include the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, with tales inspired by the traditional folklore, myths and legends of Nordic cultures and Scotland (22 Oct - 1 Nov).
Listening Task - A Scottish History of Halloween
Watch and listen to this short video
Answer the questions below
- What does the word “Samhuinn” (or Samhain) mean?
It means “Summer’s End”, marking the start of the darker half of the year.
- How did the Celts divide the year compared to today?
The Celts saw the year as having two seasons: the light and the dark.
- What offerings were left in the fields at Samhuinn? Why?
Small offerings were left for the fairy folk (Sidhe) to avoid angering them.
- What was the purpose of dressing up in costumes?
To hide from evil spirits or trick them, often by dressing up as scary creatures themselves.
- What did people believe happened to the realms of the living and the dead at Samhuinn?
They believed the veil between the realms was thinner, allowing communication or visits from spirits.
- What is a ‘Dumb Supper’ and who was it for?
A silent supper held with a place set for the dead, to honour and invite spirits.
- What behaviours were expected during the Dumb Supper?
People ate in complete silence, avoided looking at the spirit’s place, and kept the door open.
- How did the arrival of Christianity change Halloween traditions?
The focus shifted to praying for souls and honouring saints, blending old and new beliefs.
- What is the origin of the word “Halloween”?
It comes from “All Hallows’ Eve”, the night before All Saints’ Day.
- Why did Halloween traditions spread to America?
Irish and Scottish immigrants brought the traditions with them during mass migration.
From folk tunes to ghoulish tales: Scotland’s musical traditions
Scotland is a country full of music and story. Autumn is a beautiful time to enjoy both. Traditional Scottish music features instruments like guitars, fiddles and accordions. The lively rhythms and haunting ballads reflect the landscape and spirit of the people. Many songs tell stories of love, loss and life in the Highlands.
You’ll hear these tunes at ceilidhs (traditional Scottish dances), in local pubs, and sometimes even in the street. Folk songs often include Scots or Gaelic words and phrases. Which is a reminder of how language and music shape cultural history.
👻 Spooky word of the month: bogles (Scots word for ghosts or goblins)
This is a traditional Scottish murder ballad
"The Baron o' Brackley" is a Scottish murder ballad about John Gordon of Brackley. He is betrayed by his wife and murdered by his rival, John Farquharson of Inverey. The ballad, that is probably a mixture of different events, portrays his wife goading her husband into a fight with Inverey. The Baron is killed and the ballad ends with his wife celebrating with his killer. However, the Baron's young son vows to revenge his death.
The Lyrics
- Inverey
Doon Deeside came Inverey, whistlin’and playin’,
And he was at Brackley’s yetts ere the day was daw’in’;
“O are ye there, Brackley, and are ye within?
Nour oor sherp swords are at yer yetts, will gar yer blood spin.”“O rise up, my baron, and turn back yer kye,
For the lads frae Drumwharron they are drivin’ them by!”
“Oh, how can I rise up and ho0w can I gang?
For whaur I hae ae man, I am sure they have ten.”“O rise up, Betsy Gordon, and gie me my gun,
And tho’ I gang oot, love, sure I’ll never return.
Come kiss me, my Betsy, nor think I’m tae blame,
But aginst three and thirty, wha’s me, what is ane?”When Brackley was mounted and away ride on his horse
Twa gallant a Gordens did never saw draw
But against three and thirty wee es me what is twaWi’ their dirks and their swords they did him surroond,
They’ve killed bonnie Brackley wi’ monie’s the wound.
Frae the heid o’ the Dee tae the banks o’ the Spey
The Gordons shall mourn him and will ban Inverey.“Oh Cam ye by Brackley’s yetts or cam ye by here?
And saw ye his guid lady a-tare'in her hair?“
“O I cam by Brackley’s yetts and I cam by here
And I saw his guid lady, she was makin’ guid cheer.“She was rantin’ and dancin’, an singin’ for joy,
She vowed that very nicht she wad feast Inverey;
She lauch’d wi’ him, drank wi’ him, welcomed him ben,
She was kind to the villain ’, wha had slain her good man.”Through hedges and deadgees (ditches)
You canna be sure, through the woods of Glen Towerin, yea man slappin' anour
Then up and spake the babe on his mammi's knee,
“It’s afore I’m a man, avenged I’ll be!”
Seasonal sips and study tips
🫖 Try these autumnal drinks while you practise English at home:
Nothing says “coorie in” like a warm drink. This month, we’re pairing cosy language learning with two autumn favourites at ECS Scotland.
- Pumpkin Spice Latte (BBC Good Food)
A comforting café classic — try making it at home while revising some vocabulary.
- Whisky Mac (BBC Good Food)
A grown-up seasonal sip made with whisky and ginger wine — best enjoyed while reading, listening or chatting.
Watch the pumpkin spice latte video to review vocabulary
🎧 Podcast of the month: Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley
Mary Bateman, the Yorkshire Witch
What happens when belief, business and deception collide?
This month’s podcast recommendation takes you back to early 1800s Leeds, where Mary Bateman worked as a “wise woman” selling magical charms, predicting the future and running a dark but dangerous scam.
In this episode of Lady Killers, historian Lucy Worsley and her all-female team of detectives investigate the strange story of Mary’s prophetic chicken, her fake potions and the terrible consequences of her deceit. It’s part true crime, part supernatural history and a fascinating way to practise your English.
🎧 Why it’s great for English learners:
- Clear narration and natural storytelling
- Real-life vocabulary for describing people, places and intentions
- Plenty of new words around belief, crime and consequences
- Good pace and tone for intermediate+ listeners
🗣️ Try this: Listen once for the story. Then again to note useful phrases like “on the make,” “prophetic” or “ruthless.”
What do you think — did Mary believe in her own powers?
📚 Book of the month: Perfect Remains by Helen Sarah Fields
What’s it like to chase a killer through Edinburgh’s dark streets?
This gripping crime novel was recommended by Petr from Prague, one of our ECS students this summer and it’s a brilliant read for intermediate to upper-intermediate learners. The story follows Detective Luc Callanach, a former Interpol officer starting a new life in Scotland, as he investigates a chilling case with unexpected twists.
Set across familiar parts of Edinburgh, Perfect Remains blends suspense, strong characters and vivid description in clear, accessible English.
🧠 Why read in English?
Reading a whole book in English can help you:
- Build vocabulary naturally, through repetition and context
- Improve reading stamina and confidence
- Understand sentence rhythm, grammar and style
- Feel immersed in the language, especially with a story set in Scotland!
Perfect if you enjoy mystery, atmosphere and clever storytelling. Plus see Edinburgh through a different lens.
📖 Try these activities:
- Note down 5 new words or phrases per chapter
- Highlight sentences that describe places or emotions, which is great for your own writing
- Summarise each chapter in 2–3 lines or retell it aloud to a friend or your partner
- Choose a character and describe them using evidence from the text
📚 October English study ideas: practise indoors and out
Not sure how to keep up your English this season? Try these ideas which are all easy to do wherever you are.
🍁 Read a page of your book out loud each evening — work on pronunciation
👂 Listen to a podcast or YouTube video with subtitles — then try it without
📝 Keep a short autumn diary — describe the weather, colours, your feelings
🎬 Watch ghost stories in English (e.g. The Haunting of Bly Manor or American Horror Story)
📸 Take a photo walk and write English captions for 5 things you notice and post on Social Media
Prefer learning with others? Join a short course like English with Yoga or our General English 20-hour course. This is a great way to study in the morning and enjoy Edinburgh’s museums, galleries and cafés after class.
