Whether it’s our tartan-covered bowties and scarves, the sounds of bagpipes floating across campus, or the kilts that the members of our hand-bell choir don for every performance, we at Presbyterian College have always embraced our Scottish roots. Thus, it is only fitting that Dr. Campbell, professor of history, and Dr. Thompson, the Mary Henry and de Saussure Davis Edmunds Professor of English, took 38 students to Scotland with the goal of teaching students about both Scottish nationalism and literature. Interestingly, over half of the students on the trip were of Scottish descent.

Students experienced the history of Scotland firsthand in their visits to sites such as Edinburgh Castle, the home of the crown jewels and Stone of Destiny, and Stirling, the locale where William Wallace and Robert the Bruce vanquished the English to help Scotland gain independence in 1314.

Students also enjoyed a literary walking tour of Edinburgh that focused on Scottish authors and poets including the aforementioned Burns and Stevenson, as well as Sir Walter Scott and Muriel Spark. They even had the opportunity to visit various sites in Edinburgh that served as inspiration for J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, such as the grave of Thomas A. Riddle (Lord Voldemort) and the Elephant House, the coffee shop where Rowling worked on some of her novels.

“Traveling abroad with PC students remains the highlight of my 14 years at the College,” said Campbell. “Not only does it give students the chance to learn about the history and culture of other people outside of the classroom, but, by doing so, our students learn even more about themselves. What students always conclude is that the world is a much smaller place than they realize and that people the world over share the same values, hopes, and dreams. Having our Blue Hose out in the world is a wonderful thing and, to me, the essence of a PC education.”

Where will PC take you? Be a Blue Hose.

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