Professional Documents
Culture Documents
To make the most of your trip, please take a few minutes to read this before you arrive.
FROM EDINBURGH AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTRE
If you have booked homestay accommodation through the school, please try and arrive at your hosts house between 11am 7pm on the Sunday before your course starts. Please make sure your host knows what time you expect to arrive at their home, otherwise they may not be in!
BY AIRLINK BUS
www.flybybus.com
Take airport shuttle bus number 100 from outside the main entrance of Edinburgh Airport. The bus costs 6 return or 3.50 one way. Journey time is approximately 25 minutes to Edinburgh Waverly Station (last stop) in the city centre.
BY TAXI
A taxi from the airport to the city centre should cost around 25 during the day (slightly more at night or if you have a lot of luggage). There are city taxis outside the airport terminal building, when you exit the terminal walk to the left and you will see the taxi stand. Walk through the tunnel to the queue. Depending on traffic, journey time is about 15 - 20 minutes to the city centre. ECS Scotland can arrange a Meet-and-Greet collection service from inside Edinburgh Airport Arrivals hall to your accommodation. This costs 50 each way. Please inform us at least a week in advance if you require us to organise this for you. We will ask you for your arrival time, flight number and your departure airport.
Buses to national destinations leave from the main bus station on St. Andrew Square. It is not the most obvious building so look out for it! It is a modern building to the north of Harvey Nichols shop, you must go downstairs to buy tickets and get information.
TAXI
You can hail a taxi in the street if it has an orange light switched on. If you cannot find a taxi or wish to order one to collect you, phone 24hrs a day, Central Taxis +44 (0)131 229 2468 www.taxis-edinburgh.co.uk or City Cabs +44 (0)131 228 1211 www.citycabs.co.uk
TRAIN
www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.thetrainline.com
Many trains arrive daily from all over the UK to Edinburgh. The main train station is called Edinburgh Waverley Station. It is located at the east end of Princes Street. The second train station is Edinburgh Haymarket.
BIKE
Edinburgh is a fairly hilly city and there are many roads with cobble stones, so unless you are an experienced cyclist, this may not be the best city to cycle around. Also, remember that traffic circulates on the left side of the road! If you wish to hire a bike for excursions at the weekend go to: Cycle Scotland, 29 Blackfriars Street www.cyclescotland.co.uk or Biketrax, 11-13 Lochrin Place www.biketrax.co.uk
SPORT CENTRES
If you want to go swimming or to the gym while you are in Edinburgh, you can go to any of the Edinburgh Leisure sports centres without being a member. There are many venues around the city. For activities, locations, prices and opening times go to: www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/list-72
CAR RENTAL
Europcar has three offices in Edinburgh: Edinburgh Airport (Tel: 0131 333 2588), Waverley Railway Station (Tel: 0131 556 5210) and 24 East London Street (Tel: 557 3456) www.europcar.co.uk To check different companies try: www.vroomvroomvroom.co.uk/car-rental/edinburgh/
USEFUL WEBSITES
www.aboutscotland.com www.edinburghguide.com www.edinburgh.org www.theoracle.co.uk www.nationalgalleries.org www.edfringe.com www.eif.co.uk http://edinburgh.gumtree.com www.filmhousecinema.com ____________________________________________________________________________
We hope that you enjoy your stay in Edinburgh and your course with us at ECS Scotland. If you are not satisfied about any aspect of your course or accommodation, please talk to Jane or Laura and we will do our best to solve the problem. You can also make a complaint in writing to the Principal, Ms Jane McKinlay, or directly to our accreditation body, the British Council/English UK
WWW.ENGLISHUK.COM/EN/STUDENTS/ENGLISH-IN-THE-UK/STUDENT-COMPLAINTS-PROCEDURE
If you have any serious problems in Edinburgh, our 24 hour emergency phone numbers are: +44 (0)131 343 6507 or +44 (0)7964 040 294 or +34 676 089 073 Your classes will begin promptly at 9.15am (September to June) or 9am (July and August). In the mornings, please be at the school early enough so you can start your classes on time. It is disruptive to other students and your teacher if you arrive late. You are expected to attend all your assigned classes. Please tell your teacher, Jane or Laura if you expect to be absent for any reason. In case of illness, please phone or email the school to let us know that you will not attend that day. Tel: 0131 226 5262 or info@ecsscotland.co.uk ECS Scotland accepts students from all over the world. Not everyone will have the same ideas and opinions as you. Please be tolerant of other nationalities, religions and races. No racial, verbal or physical abuse will be tolerated in any form or to anyone (staff and students). This includes harassment, bullying or damage to personal property for any reason. If a complaint is made against you by another student or a teacher, you may be asked to leave the course or to change class. If you have a problem with another student or with a teacher, please speak to Jane or Laura and we will find a solution to the problem. ECS Scotland tries its best to match hosts and guests. If you have booked homestay accommodation through ECS Scotland and you are not happy with any aspect of your homestay experience or you have serious problems with your host, please speak to Laura or Jane. If you have arranged your own accommodation or you move house in Edinburgh, please inform us of your new address and telephone number. We are legally obliged to have up-to-date contact details for you. If you have any questions about your course or Edinburgh/Scotland, please do not hesitate to ask any member of the ECS Scotland team. We will do our best to answer!! School details: 17 Young Street Edinburgh, EH2 4HU Tel: +44 (0)131 226 5262 (8.45am 5.30pm) / Fax: +44 (0)131 226 1251 Email: info@ecsscotland.co.uk EMERGENCY CONTACT: +44 (0)131 343 6507 or +44 (0)7964 040 294