The first king of Scotland

A statue of Robert the Bruce, one of Scotland's greatest heroes, overlooks the land he (the flesh and blood version) and William Wallace fought to free from the English in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. Reciting your favorite Braveheart quote would be appropriate now.

Photo by Michael and Jenene Garey

Scotland, a land where centuries-old castles stand tall, kilts are worn as everyday dress, and the still water of the lochs (“lakes” to those of us in the U.S.) reflects the sheep-speckled hills and cloud-covered mountains, is where 18 Emory alumni and friends journeyed earlier this fall as part of the Emory Travel Program.

The trip to the northernmost part of Great Britain consisted of seven days touring the countryside, exploring the picturesque Scottish Isles, and touring historic Edinburgh. The excursion wound through a footpath of Scottish history, including visiting the battlegrounds where early Scottish settlers staked their claims on the land, learning the evolution of the tartan kilt or philabeg (the full body version of the kilt) and the genealogy of clan names and families, exploring Scottish castles and their legacies, and touring the area's stunning land, lochs, and waterways.

On the second day of the journey, a boat ferried the group from the town of Oban on the country's west coast to the Isle of Mull. There, the group explored Duart Castle, the ancestral home of the Clan Maclean. The castle is a prominent reminder of territorial feuds and battles that took place as settlers began to inhabit the land.

Tobermory, a painted town on Mull, presented the travelers a captivating view of buildings on the waterfront, home to the local whiskey distillery, chocolate factory, church, and wharf. It is said that this town was one of Queen Victoria's favorite places to visit when on vacation cruises through northern Great Britain.

The third day found the travelers on the Isle of Skye. Only recently connected by bridge to the mainland, Skye is steeped in history, particularly the history of the many clans that inhabited Scotland over the years. After visiting Skye's castle, wandering through the small museum devoted to Scottish history and land occupation, and taking in the great view of the Atlantic Ocean, a 30-minute ferry ride brought the group back to the mainland where they returned to Oban by motorcoach.

The trip encompassed much more than sightseeing, however. Each day's adventure was enhanced by presentations and speakers ranging from an introduction to haggis, a traditional Scottish dish, to an overview of the bagpipes as an instrument originally used to signal the entry of troops into a foreign territory for battle.

The group was also treated to a performance by Scottish sword dancers and a local school's children's choir performing in Gaelic. Throughout the trip, travelers heard first-hand accounts of the country's history through interactions with local residents who gave rich details not only of Scottish history, but also its climate and economic and social developments.

The seven days these 18 travelers spent immersed in the history and culture of Scotland are indicative of the travel programs offered to alumni and friends. The Emory Travel Program offers more than 20 opportunities each year for alumni and friends of the University to explore the world together. For more information on upcoming travel opportunities, please see the complete 2007 travel schedule at http://alumni.emory.edu/careers/travelschedule.— Adrian Tonge 02C