Goodbye Scotland

A Fond Farewell from Scotland

(by Jeanette Hänggi and Bojana Ruf)

As we sit down to write this final entry of our two-week adventure in Scotland, we find ourselves smiling at how full these days have been. The landscapes, the history, the rocks, the small moments of discovery – they’ve all come together to create an experience none of us will soon forget. It feels almost impossible to capture everything in words, but perhaps that is part of the magic of travel: some memories are best held in the heart. Still, before we close this chapter, let’s take one more look back at the moments that made this trip so special.

One of the great privileges of being a teacher is seeing the world not just through your own eyes, but through the eyes of your students. Every castle, every hike, every ferry ride became richer because of the curiosity and excitement this group brought along. We weren’t just visitors; we were explorers together.

We will probably all remember that moment in North Berwick when we spotted dolphins jumping out of the sea. There was that split second of uncertainty – was that really a fin coming out of the waves?  – followed by the collective gasp and pointing fingers. Suddenly, everyone wanted to get hold of the binoculars, cameras out, voices filled with excitement.

Our journey through the Inner Hebrides was another highlight. Each island seemed to hold its own  personality – some rugged and remote like Staffa, others more gentle like Iona. Traveling by ship gave us a rhythm that felt both adventurous and calming. The sea stretched out in every direction, and being sprayed with sea water seemed to carry away the last traces of everyday routine.

If the sea gave us calm, the Ceilidh gave us fun. None of us will forget those first tentative steps onto the dance floor. At the beginning, there was some nervous shuffling but as the music picked up and everybody tried their best to follow the caller’s instructions, hesitation turned into laughter. By the second or third dance, students were spinning each other around. Oh, what a bad timing to have a broken toe…

Of course, none of this would have been the same without you guys. We can say with full honesty that you have been a truly special collection of young people. It’s great to travel with a group that is enthusiastic, kind, and open to adventure.

So, as this final entry comes to a close, we want to say thank you. Thank you to the parents and families who supported this adventure from afar. Thank you to our headmaster, Christian Döbeli, to believe in this project. And most of all, thank you to the students—for your energy, your kindness, and your willingness to jump into the unknown with open hearts.

Until the next adventure—farewell, Scotland and remember “gieit laldy”.