🌞 Summer in Scotland: vocabulary, views & a bit of dancing
June is here — and with it, the first signs of summer (well, Scottish summer!)
This time of year the anticipation of Edinburgh’s festival season is building in the air. As Edinburgh prepares for a lively season filled with music, theatre and international visitors, it’s the perfect time to focus on your English speaking while exploring more of what Scotland has to offer.
✏️ This Summer: English with Sketching, Drawing & Painting Course
Looking for a creative and relaxing way to improve your English while exploring Edinburgh? Join our English with Sketching course.
Each day includes gentle walking routes through scenic parts of the city, sketching, drawing or painting sessions and English conversation practice focused on describing what you see, feel and draw. It’s perfect for both beginners and experienced sketchers — and you don’t need to be an artist to enjoy it.
🖼️ Highlights include:
• Water of Leith, Dean Village, Stockbridge
• Leith docks and historic bridges
• Edinburgh University’s hidden gardens
• Wet weather options in beautiful museums and galleries
It’s a peaceful and inspiring way to build your vocabulary, practise speaking in real-life contexts and connect with your surroundings.
🏞️ Challenge Yourself Outdoors: Hike a Munro
Scotland is home to over 280 Munros — mountains over 3,000 feet high. If you’re up for an adventure, hiking one is a fantastic way to discover the country’s wild beauty. Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain, offers unforgettable views — and a great sense of achievement. While Ben Lomond is close to Edinburgh and Glasgow and is an achievable and fun hike. Munro Bagging is when you try to climb as many Munros as possible and is a hobby for many hikers.
🗣️ Language Focus: summit, mist, rocky, breathtaking, altitude
How to start Munro Bagging
🌊 Try Water Sports on the West Coast
Want to experience Scotland from a new angle? Head to Oban or the Isle of Mull and try kayaking or paddleboarding. It’s a peaceful yet exciting way to connect with the land and practise descriptive language in a new context.
🎧 Watch this video about kayaking adventures in Scotland for inspiration.
🎧 Listening Practice Recommendation
For some engaging and authentic listening practice, search for the episode titled “Lorraine McCall – The Trailblazing Adventurer on the Scottish Hills” on your usual podcast platform.
Hear Lorraine share her inspiring stories of walking across Scotland’s remote landscapes — a great way to improve your English while learning about real-life adventure in the Highlands!
🗣️ Key Vocabulary to Listen For:
- Trailblazing
Doing something new or original; being a pioneer
- Solo expedition
A journey or trip taken alone, often challenging
- Wilderness
A natural, undeveloped area that is far from cities and towns
- Resilience
The ability to recover from difficult situations
- Mentally tough
Having strong emotional control and determination
💃 Dance Like a Local: Scottish Ceilidhs
Step into a Scottish tradition and try a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee), a joyful, social dance. Whether you’re a confident dancer or a total beginner, it’s a fun and friendly way to meet people and practise speaking English in a relaxed setting.
🗣️ Try saying:
• “Want to dance?”
• “I’m not sure of the steps, but let’s try!”
• “That was brilliant!”
Watch the video to see what it's like to ceilidh dance.
Ways to keep studying English this summer
📚 Summer English Book Recommendation
“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” by Mark Haddon
This modern novel is a great summer read for intermediate to advanced learners. The language is clear and simple, with strong emotional storytelling. It’s written from the perspective of a teenager with a unique way of seeing the world — making it ideal for both language learning and cultural insight.
📝 Reading tip: highlight new vocabulary that is relevant to you, then try using those words in in your next conversation.
🎧 Podcast Recommendation:
The English We Speak (BBC Learning English)
This short, weekly podcast (just 3–5 minutes) introduces useful informal expressions used in everyday English. It’s easy to understand and perfect to listen to during your walk or morning coffee.
🎙️ Recent examples: “To wing it” (to do something without preparation), “No-brainer”, “Bagsy”
Find it on your podcast app or directly at BBC Learning English – The English We Speak.
🌄 Did You Know?
Scotland is full of surprises! For example, the tallest waterfall in Britain is called Eas a’ Chual Aluinn, and it’s 658 feet high — that’s three times the height of Niagara Falls!
See the waterfall from the comfort of your sofa
🎧 Looking Ahead to August: Silent Disco at the Fringe
Among all the Fringe Festival madness, don’t miss the Silent Disco Tour. Dance your way down the Royal Mile wearing headphones, following the DJ’s instructions, laughing with strangers, and seeing Edinburgh in the most joyful way possible.
🌍 What Will You Try?
Whether you’re hiking a Munro, sketching in the Botanics or dancing at a ceilidh, remember: every experience is a chance to learn and speak English more confidently.
We’re here to support you — inside and outside the classroom.
Join us this summer at ECS Scotland and make your English journey unforgettable.
