Overview
Explore the land of bagpipes, fiddles, and folk music on a performance tour of Scotland and England. Home of the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Glasgow is the center of contemporary Scottish culture — and the perfect spot to inspire your young performers. Take the stage in one of London’s exquisite venues and head to the South Bank to watch some of the area’s famous street performers.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Scotland (Glasgow)
Day 2
Arrive in Glasgow
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Glasgow city walk
Strathclyde University, City Chambers, George Square
Day 3
Glasgow Cathedral visit
Visit Glasgow Cathedral, so highly regarded that in 1451 the Pope declared a pilgrimage there held the same merit as one to Rome. The current 12th-century cathedral stands on the site of a monastery founded by St. Mungo in 550 CE. Inside, admire post–World War II stained glass, including the Millennium Window, considered one of the most technically advanced stained-glass works in the world. Your visit also includes the Chapel of St. John the Evangelist and Blacader Aisle.
National Scottish Piping Center visit
Visit the National Scottish Piping Center and learn about the Great Highland Bagpipe, as well as other instruments used in Scottish music like the Scottish Smallpipes, Uillean Pipes, Fiddle, Accordion, and Percussion instruments.
Glasgow performance
Enjoy performances at churches (some have restricted sacred repetoire and others allow secular,) temples, museums and cultural centers, significant historic sights or exchange concerts with local schools, universities or community groups. Participating in a choral or cultural festival can also be a rewarding experience. For all performances we work closely with each group to ensure the perfect venue to meet their vision. Speak with your Worldstrides representative about what options would be best for your group.
Day 4
Travel to Edinburgh via Stirling
Edinburgh city walk
The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is a city of steep streets, stone buildings, and dramatic views, all watched over by the imposing Edinburgh Castle. Follow your Tour Director along the Royal Mile, which runs from Holyrood Palace to the castle, passing St. Giles’ Cathedral, long a center of learning and civic life in the city’s Old Town.
St Cecilia’s Hall and Music Museum visit
St. Cecilia's Hall, opened in 1763, is Scotland's oldest purpose-built concert hall. You can hear 18th-century music in an 18th-century concert hall, played by 18th-century instruments. St. Cecilia's also contains an important collection of historical musical instruments, many of which are still playable!
Edinburgh performance
Student ensembles will have the opportunity to perform in Edinburgh, a city renowned for its historic charm and vibrant arts scene. From medieval landmarks to modern venues, students will experience the rich cultural heritage of Scotland while sharing their talents with local audiences.
Day 5
Princes Street Gardens
Walk through Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh's first New Town. A modern thoroughfare runs along a beautiful park, featuring the first floral clock (commissioned in 1903) and an iconic view of Edinburgh Castle. Shops range from high end fashion to the more traditional highland tartans and sweaters.
Edinburgh guided sightseeing tour
Explore Edinburgh, the historic and cultural heart of Scotland. Led by a licensed guide, walk the Royal Mile through the city’s Old Town, from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Admire the elegant Georgian New Town, known for its neoclassical design, and gaze up at the 200-foot Sir Walter Scott Monument in East Princes Street Gardens, a tribute to one of Scotland’s greatest literary figures—and his loyal dog, Maida, immortalized below.
Edinburgh Castle visit
Perched atop an ancient volcanic rock, Edinburgh Castle commands the skyline with its imposing presence. Explore this medieval fortress, uncover its role in Scottish history, and take in sweeping views of the city below.
Arthur's Seat hike
Weather permitting, we will have the opportunity to climb Arthur's Seat for a spectacular view over the Firth of Forth.
Day 6
Travel to London by train
London South Bank walking tour
Take a stroll along London’s lively South Bank, where art, history, and riverside views come together. Admire the Tate Modern’s striking architecture, cross the sleek Millennium Bridge, and soak in panoramic views of the Thames, and spot landmarks like the London Eye.
Day 7
London guided sightseeing tour
Join a licensed local guide for an in-depth tour of London. See Buckingham Palace, where you may catch the Changing of the Guard, and stroll through Hyde Park, home to the famous Speakers’ Corner. View Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, then step inside Westminster Abbey, the coronation site of English monarchs. Continue to St. Paul’s Cathedral, Christopher Wren’s masterpiece, and admire the iconic Tower Bridge spanning the Thames.
Abbey Road
Journey out to Abbey Road, where we can recreate the iconic Beatles' album cover for ourselves by walking the zebra crossing. See the world famous graffiti wall, view the iconic house, and visit the official Abbey Road shop.
London performance
Potential venues include (but not limited to): Southwark Cathedral, The Community of St. Stephens, Victoria Park Bandstand, St. Gabriel's Church Pimlico, the lively Spitafields Market, Hillsong Church, Christ Church Spitafields, or an exchange with a local school, university or community group. Additional options such as Cadogan Hall or St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square are available at additional cost.
Day 8
Flight home from London
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Adjudicated group performances and an optional solo/duo competition
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.