Third teacher training: Edinburgh April 2023

HUPE in Scotland: Exploring Edinburgh Through Education, Culture, and Adventure

The Croatian Association of Teachers of English (HUPE), in collaboration with the Agency for Education and Training, organized an inspiring professional development program in Edinburgh during the spring break for 46 enthusiastic English language teachers from Croatia. This unique opportunity combined educational enrichment with cultural immersion in one of the most enchanting cities in Europe.

Under the expert guidance of Anita Jokić, president of HUPE Croatia, the group explored many of Edinburgh’s iconic landmarks and participated in a variety of engaging and educational activities. Over five enriching days, the participants gathered a wealth of valuable materials, which were later compiled into a comprehensive teaching handbook. This resource is now available to support classroom instruction in literature, culture, and the civilization of the United Kingdom—with a special emphasis on Scotland and its capital, Edinburgh.

From the very beginning, the city cast its spell. We were greeted by the sound of bagpipes echoing through cobblestone streets, the charm of Scottish English, and the deep historical resonance of a proud and complex national story. We ventured beyond Edinburgh to the mystical Highlands, steeped in lochs and legends, strolled through the vibrant streets of Glasgow, and traced the flow of the River Clyde. Along the way, we tasted traditional Scottish dishes, sampled whisky and ale, and soaked in the atmosphere of a culture both ancient and alive.

A special highlight was our time with our wonderful colleague Robert, who brought the city’s stories to life. We learned about kilts, JK Rowling’s literary journey, met Dolly the sheep, explored pop culture icons like Doctor Who, and unearthed curious facts about Peter Pan and Sean Connery’s football (and film) career. We discussed the harrowing history of witch trials—where survival from an icy river meant guilt—and explored the etymology of everyday words with surprising Scottish roots, such as “blackmail” and why a “loch” isn’t a lake.

We walked in the footsteps of literary legends, discovering where Agatha Christie’s mysteries and Rowling’s magical world took shape. We visited the Royal Botanic Garden and stepped aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, once the royal family’s favorite holiday retreat. A lecture in the Scottish Parliament, housed in a strikingly modern building, gave us insight into contemporary Scottish politics and architecture.

A day was reserved for in-depth cultural exploration, featuring visits to Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and several remarkable museums, including the People’s Story Museum, the Museum of Childhood, and the Scottish National Gallery. We even ventured to iconic filming locations from Skyfall, Highlander, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and marveled at the mystery of Loch Ness.

Our adventure was full of surprising discoveries: Mel Gibson’s height tricks in Braveheart, the existence of vomitoriums in medieval castles (feather-lined rooms for post-feasting purging), and how Robert the Bruce’s heart traveled widely as a national relic. We learned about miners who received slates as retirement gifts—later used as their own tombstones—and dove deep into the symbolism behind Edinburgh’s Street names like Princes Street, Thistle Street, Rose Street, and Charlotte Square.

One of the most exciting parts of the program was a city-wide treasure hunt. Divided into groups, each team followed clues that led them to different landmarks: Arthur’s Seat, Dean Village, Calton Hill, and Princes Street Gardens. The challenge sparked creativity, teamwork, and a sense of discovery that brought Edinburgh’s geography and history vividly to life.

We ended our journey with a warm and joyful farewell celebration: a pizza party, a spirited Grandmaster Quiz, a certificate ceremony, and a fun raffle. It was the perfect conclusion to an unforgettable experience.

This was truly a remarkable group of participants—dedicated, cheerful, curious, and full of energy. The connections made, knowledge gained, and memories created will stay with us for years to come. We return not only with practical classroom resources, but with renewed inspiration, ready to share the magic of Scotland with our students.

Thank you to everyone who made this journey possible. It was an absolute pleasure discovering Scotland with such a passionate and inspiring group!

Next session: join us!