Scottish History and Language Learning
Here at Blue Noun, we care about Scottish history – and many of our holiday-takers do too.
This doesn’t mean that we teach Scottish history on our English language holidays. We don’t.
(And sometimes our holiday guests are more knowledgeable about it than we are).
It means we have a passion to share it. Sensitively.
We help you explore it.
And connect you with experts who know how to bring it alive, through song, story, traditional crafts – and more.
When Scottish history is your passion, we’ll match you with conversations, tours and events that enrich your knowledge, taking you to places and museums that immerse you in Scottish history, making your English memorable.
When your English learning memorable,
Your English is memorable.
Culture-led English Coaching
History is just one of the ways we share Scottish culture with you on our real-world English conversation holidays.
This blog is an overview of how our speciality – cultural heritage travel to learn English – shares Scottish history experiences.
There are quite a few links on this page to help you find detailed information on each topic introduced here.
Deep Travel in Scotland
Our language holidays take you behind the scenes of Scotland, to learn our culture not as a tourist, but on a deeper level.
This is known as Deep Travel.
We use deep travel experiences to bond with your English because authentic conversations and memorable and exciting travel experiences convert uncertain English into powerful, real-world English for all occasions.
You acquire English language skills that match your ambition.
You feel in control of conversations, no matter where your English takes you.
Not bad results for a week’s holiday!
Discover How We Share Scotland
Price per person
per week, 2026
The Past is the Present
Whether you are already passionate about Scottish history or not, knowing more about the story of our nation will help you understand contemporary Scottish identities, culture and politics.
For example, I think Scotland rushed to welcome displaced Ukrainians because we have a diaspora of displaced people.
If you are a New Scot, or plan to spend a little time in Scotland on holiday, use this blog to help you know the place and its people, and feel at home here.
1-Day Family English Workshops in Crieff
Ways We Share Scottish History on Our English Language Holidays
Traditional Scottish Music
Every language holiday has at least one concert!
We take you to gigs, to informal jam sessions, and to meet local musicians.
Remember, tickets are included in the price of your holiday. Learn more about our activities.
Voices From The Past
Much Celtic song written about the homeland, was not written by people in the homeland, but separated from it.
If you have joined us for a holiday, you’ll know that we love sharing Scottish music with our guests.
We not only showcase traditional music, but share music fusing Celtic sounds with international or contemporary influences.
Music can be a great way into a culture and a language, we highly recommend the collaboration between musician King Creosote and filmmaker, Virginia Heath, From Scotland with Love, as a shortcut to letting Scotland into your soul.
Related Posts:
Traditional Dress
We take you to The Scottish Register of Tartans here in Crieff, and explore how tartan is used in contemporary fashion.
The Story of Kilts and Tartan
Tourists are often quite excited to see kilts. Knowing the history of kilts being banned helps you appreciate the way men walk tall and proud in them today.
Our Scots language was once illegal, and our national dress was too.
While tartan dips in and out of fashion, the Gaelic language has never recovered.
Related Posts:
Dip into Traditional Languages
Scots and Celtic Languages
We know that our guests are here to improve in English, not to learn Gaelic, but we often take a quick look at Scots languages in relation to place names or understanding the regional dialects that cover the UK.
A quick overview can help anyone living in Scotland and struggling to understand the Scottish accent.
Advanced L2 English users can have fun with the often visual language of Scots poetry, and the quite phonetical orthography.
Related Posts:
Tour Scottish Castles
Visit Castles on Your Language Holiday in Scotland
We are lucky to have so many great castles on our doorstep.
Without knowing much of the individual history, you can get the thrill from this type of dramatic architecture – the solid walls, winding staircases and superb view created by thin archers’ windows.
Sensory experiences are good for language immersion. Why Visit Castles on Your English Language Holiday?
Understand the Highland Clearances
Not cute – terrible.
Highland Clearances
You’ll learn that the ruined houses in our landscape aren’t ‘cute,’ but the relics of the destruction of families, communities and culture.
They represent families, and whole communities moved off the land during the Highland Clearances.
Related Posts:
Museum Visits
We frequently make language excursion visits to museums.
Not just to see the collection, but to question how the institutions are curating, preserving and presenting Scottish culture.
Language School Museum Excursions
We may take a tour of Scotland’s Design Museum – the V&A.
The Burrell Collection won the 2023 Museum of the Year Award, and we explore why.
In our local city Perth, a new museum just opened. We look at the expectations around this investment – as well as the collection itself.
And our very favourite visit, not only a museum but a portal for time travelling: Innerpeffray Library has not only preserved its collection of lending books, but it also has a borrowers list too.
In terms of square footage, there’s better language immersion in Perthshire than the reading room in Innerpeffray library.
Related Posts:
Changing Landscapes
Our tip for visitors in Scotland is while enjoying the beautiful Scottish landscape, look for what’s missing.
Ask the businesses you are using about their impact.
Eco Tourism in Scotland
The answer is trees (natural woodland and the resulting ecosystems) and people (highland families).
The iconic purple hills are barren compared to what they once were.
View them with the with the knowledge that 57% of rural land in Scotland is owned by private estates, most of which ‘control ‘pests’ like foxes, weasels (and historically birds of prey – which is now illegal).
Illegal persecution linked to intensive grouse moor management is a significant problem.
Read about When our Guided Walk found an Injured Golden Eagle
Ensure You Have a Positive Impact Visiting Scotland
You certainly should enjoy the majesty of Scotland, but without tourists challenging poor landscape management, nothing will change.
Tourism is a large part of the Scottish economy.
Tourists demanding Sustainable tourism practices, wildlife-friendly travel and low-impact travel can effect systematic change: even more than our own communities!
You can make a positive impact as a tourist to Scotland.
Related Posts:
Let’s Talk!
Interested in a chat about our English coaching holidays in Scotland?
You’ll get to see our hub – and tell me (Ruth) 3 things you’d like to see/do when you are here!
Join Us for Cultural Festivals
Festivals can be a great way into culture and history because they are immersive and captivating.
You can lose your inhibitions and be whoever you wish – including a powerful English speaker!
Visit Scottish Festivals
From big ones like Edinburgh’s Beltane to local food festivals, our language school uses festivals as an ingredient in your cultural immersion.
If you join us for a language holiday in August, we’ll even take for a day at the world-famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Related Posts:
Get Talking with Scottish History
At Blue Noun, we incorporate Scottish history into our English language holidays to offer authentic, immersive cultural experiences.
You will visit traditional historical sites like Stirling Castle, and our on-site coaching connects language and culture.
In addition, you will participate in events like festivals, ceilidhs and guided talks, to experience Scotland’s past and present.
You’ll gain the English skills to match your ambitions – and the confidence to use them.
More than that, you’ll return home with stories, memories, and a deep, personal connection to Scotland that no classroom can offer.
Image Credits
All the images on this page were taken during our Language Holiday Activities.
Pictured, Scone Palace, Fire & Folklore Reenactment, Drums & Roses, Dundee V & A Museum Tour, Innerpeffray Library, Agarty Red Kite Feed and Edinburgh Beltane Fire Festival.
Testimonials
British Council
The British Council listed our speciality Real-World English in its Top 2024 Language Teaching Innovations.
Friendly community
Perthshire was voted the Friendliest Region on Earth by Booking*com.
What more perfect combination could you need for an English conversation holiday?
5 Star Reviews
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