Alumni Tour Explores Scottish Culture, Politics
Britt Cartrite plans to lead an alumni tour to Scotland next summer with an itinerary that includes visits to the country’s top attractions as well as a study of Scotland’s independence movement.
The 10-day Alumni and Friends Trip to Scotland is a chance for Alma College alumni to experience a Spring Term-type educational experience all over again, says Cartrite.
“The trip is a shortened version of my Scotland Spring Term class,” says Cartrite, associate professor of political science. “It’s a way, I hope, of engaging alumni in current teaching. It’s also an exciting time in Scottish politics. Getting alumni interested in Scotland and what our students are learning is exciting.”
Scenic from Scotland.
The trip scheduled for June 17-26 is the alumni engagement office’s first foray into travel tours. The goal is to create an experience that incorporates lifelong learning, says Lou Ecken, director of alumni engagement.
“We are very fortunate that Dr. Cartrite will lead our first tour, share his knowledge of Scotland and include some of his Spring Term class activities,” says Ecken. “Scotland is a natural first trip for us, but we want to expand to other places in the future. This is a wonderful opportunity for alumni who have not been there to see Scotland.”
The trip begins with a guided tour of Edinburgh, including visits to Edinburgh Castle, home of the Scottish Crown Jewels, and the Palace of Holyrood, the queen’s official residence in Edinburgh and former home of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Britt Cartrite
Other trip destinations include St. Andrews, Dunrobin Castle, Orkney Islands, Loch Ness, Isle of Skye and Armadale Castle.
“Dr. Cartrite also will try to arrange a tour of the Scottish Parliament and access to one or more of Scotland’s politicians,” says Ecken. “When we think of Scotland, we think of bagpipes and the highland arts, but Dr. Cartrite will talk about how varied the Scottish culture really is.”
He also will raise awareness of the independence movement in Scotland and the political landscape as the country moves toward a possible referendum seeking independence from the United Kingdom.
For registration information, visit the Alma College Website at: http://www.alma.edu/alumni/involved/travel.
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Posted: Mon, December 3rd, 2012 at 11:16AM
