REPORT OF THE AMSTERDAM EXCHANGE

DAY 1

The visitors from Holland were picked up at the airport by Seonad, Susan and Douglas. Then Rachel and Thomas were given a tour of the historical University of Glasgow campus by Seonad and Susan, while Douglas took Floor, Bas, Aufke and Stefan to a world famous ice-cream parlour in Kilmarnock. After dinner everyone went out to a student nightclub called the Shack.

DAY 2

Everyone took the train to the very beautiful Loch Lomand. The visitors walked along the picturesque shore before looking around the informative visitor centre. Molly arrived that night and everyone played games at Seonad’s flat.

DAY 3

On day 3 everyone went on a day trip to New Lanark, the site of a famous sociological experiment two centuries ago. We walked along the Clyde River to the spectacular falls of Clyde, and then shopped in historical New Lanark shops before returning to Glasgow for an Indian meal. The evening was spent socialising in Molly’s flat.

DAY 4

The weather was bad so everyone went to Glasgow’s excellent Transport Museum and the Kelvingrove Museum and art gallery which houses world famous paintings and artefacts. Then the visitors were given a guided tour of the Charles Rennie Macintosh Museum and a house that the architect designed. After this the Glasgow students showed the Dutch people around one of Glasgow University’s two student Unions and we all played pool. That night we went to the other Student Union for a night out.

DAY 5

Everyone enjoyed a day packed with events in one of Scotland’s most historical cities: Stirling. Different people wanted to do different things, so some people visited Stirling’s magnificent castle while others went to the Wallace memorial and to a reconstruction of the Battle of Bannockburn. The reconstruction involved real horses and weapons and was enjoyed greatly by everyone. That night, those who wanted to went to a concert by a famous local band: The Amphetamines, while the others went on a geographical tour of one of Glasgow’s poorest areas, Drumchapel, then played golf and picked up Dimmie from the airport.

DAY 6

On day six we caught the train and then the ferry to one of Scotland’s most beautiful islands, the Isle of Arran. Those who were interested toured a distillery where they make world famous whiskey, and then everyone started up Goat Fell, the most spectacular mountain on the Island. Molly and Susan however went only half way up before going shopping. That night, some of the visitors went to the pub, while others socialised in Molly’s flat.

DAY 7

We had lunch in an Indian themed vegetarian café called Tchi Ovna, before jumping on the bus to Fort William. The route was very scenic, taking the visitors through some of the most remote areas of the Scottish mountains, areas steeped in historical myth. Some of the visitors went by car with Douglas and climbed one of the many beautiful mountains in the area. We all met up in the Youth Hostel at Fort William that evening and had dinner together.

DAY 8

Those who wished climbed Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland, famed for its beauty and dangerousness. Others who wished started on the world famous West Highland Way walk. The remaining people went on a low-level walk that gave stunning views of Fort William and Ben Nevis. The people not walking the West Highland Way met up for dinner in the Hostel.

DAY 9

Douglas took Arjen and Thomas back to Glasgow in his care via the historical town of Oban and the famous Bridge Over the Atlantic. Everyone else walked through Glen Nevis before getting the coach home in the evening. That night everyone went to a fantasy themed nightclub called Destiny and had a smashing night out.

DAY 10

Everyone was a little tired from their physical activities the day before so a relaxing day of shopping was had by all. In the afternoon we went to Laser Quest which is an exciting game where you shoot people with laser guns in a maze.

DAY 11

A packed day of sightseeing was had by all in the historical capital of Scotland: Edinburgh. The volcanic plug: Arthur’s Seat proved a fun and rewarding climb and gave spectacular views over Edinburgh. After climbing it the visitors split into two groups, and went to the National Museum of Scotland and Edinburgh Castle. That night everyone went to a ceilidh: a Scottish party with traditional music and dancing.

DAY 12

One of the Glasgow students: Kevin, gave everyone a guided tour of Glasgow, explaining the historical background of the city and describing its geographical site and situation. The tour included Glasgow cathedral and graveyard, and various historical buildings. After lunch the group divided to do souvenir shopping and other errands, and met back at Molly’s house for the last time, before Molly, Susan, Seonad, Floor and Douglas left to go to the conference in Dijon.