Edinburgh

Edinburgh is host to a number of higher and further education organisations including 4 Universities. The following offer summer schools of a week or more on topics such as creative writing or printmaking:

The University of Edinburgh

(http://www.ed.ac.uk/) - a prestigious university over 400 years old.

Private schools:

Edinburgh is a popular destination for language students, looking to learn English, or build on their existing English language skills. Most schools offer a "homestay" option where accommodation is with a local family, which can be a great introduction to Scottish life. Language schools in the city include:

Large, well-established school, with premises on Frederick Street and Queen Street, in the city centre. Offers courses for adult and junior students.

Great location on the Royal Mile. Caters to both adult and junior students

English language School in the central West End area of the city offering a range of English language courses to adults, TEFL courses and stunning views of Edinburgh Castle

hogmanay

Edinburgh in the winter festive season is also huge with various concerts and other activities taking place starting a couple of weeks before Christmas and running up to a week into January. Princes Street Gardens play host to a Big Wheel, outdoor ice rink and various festive markets. As in most of the rest of Scotland, Hogmanay, the New Year celebrations, are the main focus of the festive season rather than Christmas. On the night itself whole sections of central Edinburgh are roped off and accessible only by ticket for the Hogmanay street party (http://www.edinburghshogm...), which takes place across several stages and is easily the largest in Scotland. Hogmany and Edinburgh fit together like hand and glove.

Go to the cinema. Edinburgh has a number of cinemas covering mainstream, foreign language and arthouse films. Cineworld, 130 Dundee St, 0871 200 2000. Mainly mainstream and arthouse. This is about 20 mins on foot from Princes Street and a Number 1 34 or 35 bus will take you. Cameo Cinema, Home St, 0131 228 4141. Mainstream & alternative films, in remarkable surroundings. A much-loved venue that's well worth a visit. Dominion, Newbattle Terrace, 0131 447 4771. Mainstream & alternative films. One screen is full of two- and three-person leather sofas for the ultimate cinema-going experience. Filmhouse, Lothian Rd, 0131 228 2688. Edinburgh's and Scotland's largest venue for arthouse and foreign language films. Great café and bar, and hub of the annual Film Festival. Odeon Cinema, Lothian Rd, 0870 505 0007. Vue, Leith Walk, 0870 240 6020. Large multiplex. "'Vue'", Ocean Terminal, Leith. Large multiplex.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival (http://www.edfringe.com/)— As the name might suggest, this Festival developed on the "Fringe" of the main International Festival and offers more alternative performances, with an emphasis on comedy and avant-garde; it is now the largest arts festival in the world.

Imaginate Festival

(http://www.imaginate.org....)— every may/june, an international festival of children's theatre.

Edinburgh in the summer becomes "festival city" when a huge number of major national and international arts festivals are hosted by the city. Most of these occur virtually simultaneously in August. These cater for a wide variety of interests and include:

One important thing to decide when planning a trip to Edinburgh is whether you wish to go at festival time, which runs from early August through to mid-September. Hotel rooms in and around the city are noticeably much more expensive then, and you will need to book well at least six months! in advance.

6 Nations Championship

See a 6 Nations Championship (http://www.rbs6nations.com/) rugby match at Murrayfield Stadium (http://www.scottishrugby.org/). The 6 Nations is effectively the European Championship of rugby, taking place every spring between Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Italy and England. The teams play each other once per year, and alternate home and away games. In even-numbered years, England and France visit Murrayfield, while in odd-numbered years, Scotland host Wales, Ireland and Italy. On the weekend of a home match, Edinburgh is absolutely full to bursting, and the atmosphere is like nothing else, especially if Wales or Ireland are in town. If you plan to visit in February or March, be sure to check the fixtures and book accommodation well in advance if your trip coincides with a home match Edinburgh/West.

Edinburgh Rugby

Catch a match of the city's professional rugby club, Edinburgh Rugby, at Murrayfield Edinburgh/West.

Edinburgh Wolves's

Catch an American Football match at the Edinburgh Wolves's home venue of Meadowbank Stadium Edinburgh/East.