English in the city: October in Edinburgh

Our first Great British Language Journey

Can you study English in England and Scotland on one course?

Yes. The Great British Language Journey combines one week in Bath with a second week in Edinburgh. Students travel north from London on the Caledonian Sleeper, making the overnight journey part of the experience.

Our first group arrived in Edinburgh on Saturday morning. This gave them the weekend to settle into their hotel or homestay and begin exploring the city. Their weekend activities included visiting participating buildings during Edinburgh Doors Open Days and enjoying a gin and chocolate tasting.

The two-week course provides 50 hours of English tuition: 20 hours in the classroom and 30 hours outside the traditional classroom. It is designed for adults aged 30 and over at B1–C1 level, with no more than six students in the group. This gives everyone opportunities to speak and receive regular feedback.

The organised cultural programme included afternoon tea in Bath, followed by a whisky tasting and a Scottish ceilidh in Edinburgh. Each activity gave the group a reason to listen, ask questions and use English naturally.

Practical information

The next Great British Language Journey courses run from 10–21 May 2027 and 20 September–1 October 2027.

The price includes tuition, learning materials, entrance fees, a pre-course Zoom call, a certificate of attendance, travel between Bath and Edinburgh and four cultural activities. Accommodation is arranged separately.

Participants should be comfortable walking on hills, cobbled streets and uneven surfaces. Warm, waterproof clothing and suitable walking shoes are recommended all year round.

Edinburgh this month

The Scottish International Storytelling Festival takes place from 21–31 October 2026. This year’s theme, Bird and Beast, explores storytelling and the natural world, with contributors from Scotland and several other countries.

For language learners, storytelling is a reminder that communication does not depend on complicated grammar. A clear sequence, a few well-chosen details and a connection with the listener often matter more.

Scottish International Storytelling Festival

The Scottish International Storytelling Festival takes place from 21–31 October 2026.

This year’s theme, Bird and Beast, explores the relationship between storytelling and the natural world. Storytellers from Scotland will be joined by guests from Türkiye, Italy, Ireland, Canada and England for events in Edinburgh and across Scotland.

Storytelling can be especially useful for language learners. A good story does not depend on complicated grammar. A clear sequence, a few well-chosen details and a connection with the listener often matter more.

The Palm Houses reopen

The restored Palm Houses at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh reopened on 2 October following a major conservation project.

The historic glasshouses contain rare and threatened plants and show how architectural conservation and care for living collections can work together. Entry is by timed ticket, so it is sensible to book before visiting.

Samhuinn Fire Festival

On 31 October, the Samhuinn Fire Festival marks the transition from summer to winter with fire, drumming and outdoor performance on Calton Hill.

The event is a modern reimagining of seasonal Celtic traditions. It takes place outside after dark on uneven ground, so visitors should check the practical information and wear warm clothing and suitable footwear.

October’s featured “tree”: ivy

Ivy is not a tree but a woody evergreen climber. In the modern Celtic tree-calendar tradition, it is associated with the period from late September into October and is often connected with the Ogham name gort. This calendar is a modern poetic interpretation rather than a straightforward ancient tradition.

Ivy also has genuine seasonal value. Its autumn flowers provide late nectar and pollen, its leaves offer shelter and its berries feed birds later in the year.

This link between culture and the natural world reflects our Climate Care Charge. Our latest donation supported the Trees for Life Tree Seed Collection Project, helping to protect the diversity of Scotland’s native trees.

Language insight: telling the story of a journey

When describing a journey, help your listener follow the story by organising it into a beginning, a middle and an end. Useful phrases include:

• We began our journey in…
• After that…
• By the time we reached Edinburgh…
• Compared with Bath, Edinburgh felt…
• One difference I noticed was…
• The thing that surprised me most was…

To practise, choose three photographs from a journey or day out. Use the first to explain where the experience began, the second to describe what happened and the third to say what you will remember.

Tell the story aloud to a friend, family member or housemate — or even your cat. You could also record yourself or practise with an AI conversation tool. Ask it to listen and give you three follow-up questions. The aim is to make your story easy to follow, rather than trying to describe every detail.

Looking ahead to November

November brings shorter days, the beginning of Edinburgh’s winter events and St Andrew’s Day. It is also a good time to compare 2027 course dates and accommodation options without having to make a rushed decision.

Our small team is happy to discuss which course would best suit your level, interests and reasons for learning English.

A final thought

Our first Great British Language Journey showed how naturally English can develop through shared experiences.

Wherever you are this autumn, choose one experience or photograph and try telling someone its story in English. You may be surprised by how much language you already have.