Scone Palace has an exciting and colourful history as one of Scotland's most important stately homes. Fifteen hundred years ago it was the capital of the Picts. In the intervening centuries, it has been the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of the Kings of Scots, including Macbeth and Robert The Bruce.
Key Stage 4 (15-16)
Key Stage 4 (15-16)
At KS4, there has been a gradually burgeoning number of types of educational visits – foreign language school exchanges, cultural visits all over Europe and further afield, sports competitions, youth conferences, winter sports and adventurous activities in more extreme environments. The Duke of Edinburgh Award becomes available at 14 years old and continues to be offered for those up to 24 years of age, and pupils of many ages start work on specialist awards in areas such as mountaineering, sailing and river sports. This increase in venue variety has led to a proliferation of specialist companies catering for these activities.
The aims of history trips tend to be more focused in KS4, with study trips to the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation and the 1944 Normandy Landings often proving popular along with the 1815 Waterloo battlefield. Venues of this type are often catered for by specialist travel companies to ensure participants get the best experience available.
A lot of schools have a tradition of school trips with their choirs, orchestras and musical/theatre students. There are specialist companies that can help any school wishing to explore this possibility, and many venues have tailored activities for groups that can help improve performers’ confidence and motivation.
British schools have been the forerunners in Europe for undertaking challenging outdoor activities both at home and abroad (you can visit here for good list of activities and gateway sites) but there is a notable increase of interest at KS4 in science-based trips – most notably the Science and National History museums in London, the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, the National Railway Museum in York, Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre in Macclesfield, Techniquest in Cardiff, and the Bristol Science Centre, all of which have reported an increase in visitors in recent years.
Suitable Venues
Legend Sailing has been operating on Loch Tay since 2001. In 2003 the company relocated to the holiday resort of Loch Tay Highland Lodges. At this time activities were extended to include archery, kayaking and mountain biking. Since then the range of activities has continued to expand.
Gulabin Lodge Outdoor Centre is located in Glenshee in the Cairngorms National Park, providing self-catering accommodation and outdoor adventure activities all the year round.
The centre is superbly appointed, set in a spectacular location offering a broad programme of activities for students and staff at the University of Edinburgh. Firbush is also available to non-University groups and individuals.
Splash White Water Rafting are one of the UK’s largest expertoutdoor adventure activity providers, based in the scenic town of Aberfeldy
Blown Away is a mobile outdoor experience company which specializes in beach based activities.
The most northerly of SOEC’s Centres, Belmont has a wide range of on-site activities such as the ever-popular flying fox and the night-line which is ideal for team building.
A brand new adventure training and experience company based in Scotland, but with instructors across the UK
Nae Limits is one of Scotland’s most innovative and established adventure and outdoor activity centres. Having operated for over 15 years, we have won awards for our adventure activities and outdoor learning ventures.
MOVING PEOPLE ON THEIR LEARNING JOURNEY USING THE OUTDOORS
Beyond Adventure is a specialist outdoor company, based in Aberfeldy, Scotland, providing tailor-made experiences of the wilderness environment. Our particular specialities are open canoeing and tailor made multi-activity residentials for groups in Scotland, Europe and North America.
Welcome to St Ninian’s Cathedral, situated in the fair city of Perth in the heart of Scotland and is in the diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane. St Ninian’s belongs to the Scottish Episcopal Church and is home to a lively, caring congregation of people from many different backgrounds.
Based on the Isle of Seil which has a bridge to the mainland, 30 minutes from Oban. The orginal dedicated sea kayak company in the Oban area, established for over 15 years. We have an intimate knowledge of the area. A family company for the personal touch, we do it because we love it.
Feed the farm animals, see the miniature Shetland ponies, picnic area and welly walks, zip wire and adventure play fort and dressing up in the manor house. Indoor soft play, cafe and farm shop. Family fun at Oxfordshire Cotswolds historic Witney farmstead.
The most accomplished piece of Renaissance architecture left in Scotland.
Located near the spectacular St Magnus Cathedral, these palaces are regarded as two of the finest examples of architecture in Scotland and highlight Orkney’s close Norse and ecclesiastical links.
A particular attraction is the magnificent monumental fireplace in the great hall of the Earl’s Palace, built about 1600.
Highlights
St Magnus Cathedral known as the 'Light in the North' was founded in 1137 by the Viking, Earl Rognvald, in honour of his uncle St Magnus. The Cathedral belongs to the people of Orkney and its doors are open to all. The Cathedral, set in the heart of Kirkwall, the capital city of the Orkney Islands, is a place of stillness, of inspiration, of warmth, and is steeped in the presence of God.
Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre offers a range of programs, in Gaelic and English, for primary and secondary school students linked to the Curriculum for Excellence. With real-life stories, an opportunity to explore the battlefield and hands on workshops this an excellent trip that will enhance your topic.
We provide quality outdoor activities in the Highlands of Scotland. We work with a wide range of clients, both able bodied and those with disabilities. We are specialist providers of outdoor activities for People with Disabilities and Disadvantage.
Based in Aviemore near Inverness in the Cairngorm National Park, we are ideally placed to access a wide range of outdoor activities for all ages of students.
Based in Aviemore, south of Inverness at the hub of the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands, we have a passion for outdoor adventures and wild experiences.
Abernethy Nethybridge is located in the Spey Valley and is part of the Cairngorm National Park in Highland Scotland. It is 40 minutes from Inverness and is near to Loch Morlich, C
Abernethy Ardgour is on the shores of Loch Linnhe on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula on the west coast of Scotland.
Active Highs run outdoor activities in Scotland near Fort William, Fort Augustus, Inverness and Oban. Our activity centre is based on the shores of Loch Oich in the Great Glen and we also offer a mobile outdoor activity service near Oban and Inverness. We also offer the best guaranteed white water rafting in Scotland near Fort William.
Northern Xposure Adventure Training is a family run business whose goal is provide an opportunity for all to enjoy the great outdoors using quality coaching and guiding to facilitate a safe and enjoyable experience.
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The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
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