Friday 11 December 2009

ISC Clothes Sale [Monday 14/12, 12-4pm @ the ISC Lounge]


[source - pomeroi.co.uk]

The ISC clothing has finally arrived - pause your revision routine and grab a [heavily-subsidized] ISC polo, T-shirt or hoodie [with/without zip] before they are all gone for good!

T-shirts - £5 each
Polo shirts - £8 each
Hoodies - £12 each
Full zip hoodies - £15 each
+ a box with discounted bits 'n' pieces [50% off]

All of these come with an embroidered University of Edinburgh logo and are much cheaper than any UoE clothing that is on sale at the EUSA shop...

[Facebook event here]

Sunday 29 November 2009

Semester 1 Feedback


We constantly strive to make your semester/year/four/five years at the University of Edinburgh as enjoyable as possible and are therefore greatly interested in what you think about our activities.

If there is anything you would like to comment on [positives and/or negatives of ISC Events, Lounge, Trips, activities that you would like us to organize, or general comments], please  voice your opinion by sending us an email to iscedi[at]gmail[dot]com [Subject - "Feedback"] or use the "Disqus" feature below.

Your remarks will be highly appreciated!

Friday 27 November 2009

Merry Christmas at the ISC



Do the short days and the cold weather make you long for cosy activities?

Then this evening will fulfil your yearnings!

Monday the 30th of November, 6.30pm at the ISC you will find that in midst of the heavily decorated ISC lounge there will be typical English Christmas food and mulled wine waiting for you.


The entrance is free, but to make it a nice evening we encourage you to come dressed in the colours red, white and green (to look lovely, for example like Santa Claus or a Christmas tree) and bring a wrapped Christmas present that shouldn’t cost more than 2£. (suggestions: food, useful stuff, funny stuff, useless and boring stuff, stuff)





We will put all the presents under the Christmas tree and redistribute them.
Later in the evening, when everybody has happily opened his/her present we will screen the movie “The nightmare before Christmas”.


We hope this inspires you!


NOTE! The food is not enough to substitute for a dinner, so don’t come hungry. If you feel like it, you can bring more wine for yourself.

Friday 20 November 2009

Christmas Shopping in Glasgow

Join the last ISC trip of this semester for some amazing Christmas shopping in Glasgow.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to get all your X-mas shopping done while seeing the city of Glasgow as well.



This time there will be no ticket sale as usual, instead, we'll all meet up at Waverley Train Station at 8.30 on Saturday the 28th of November.

We will provide you with some tips and maps of where to go shopping in Glasgow.

Ticket prices are £10.30 for an offpeak return ticket and can be purchased on the day.

Picture by mischiru : http://www.flickr.com/photos/mischiru/3214334045/

Sunday 15 November 2009

The ISC Weekend Trip - Photos & Video [07/11 - 08/11]

For the entire gallery please click here!

Do you want to upload your own photos? Please click here!



International Club Night


This Thursday we're gonna try something completely new to Edinburgh! In collaboration with the 3 other universities in Edinburgh, we're gonna have a massive club nights for all the international students in the city! Bring all your international friends along (it's ...not just for Erasmus students!) and come with us for a cracking good time!

The event will take place at City Nightclub in Market St, close to Waverly train station. Doors open at 11pm and the the party lasts until 3 in the morning!



*******Important!*******
Quote the 3 magic letters: "ISC" at the door to skip the queue and get £1 off the entrance fee!!! Normal prices are £4 before 12 and £5 after.

Drinks prices:
£1.50 Vodka + Mixer
£1.50 Bottle of Miller + Fosters
£2.00 Jaeger Bombs
£5.00 Pitcher

See you all there for an awesome time!

Trip to North Berwick!




Join the ISC for a trip to the lovely town of North Berwick, just 25 miles east of Edinburgh.

North Berwick is a small idyllic seaside town close to Edinburgh, ideal for a daytrip away from the city. Take a walk along the beach, visit the Scottish seabird centre, climb "mini-arthurs-seat" (North Berwich Law) or take a walk out to Tantallon Castle and see Bass Rock. North Berwick has indications of being inhabited for about 2000 years and has throughout time been an important harbour for people wishing to travel to Fife, especially pilgrims for St. Andrews.

The town is also known for its Witch Trials in 1590, which "... was the first major witchcraft persecution in Scotland, and began with a sensational case involving the royal houses of Denmark and Scotland. King James VI sailed to Copenhagen to marry Princess Anne, sister of Christian IV, King of Denmark. During their return to Scotland they experienced terrible storms and had to shelter in Norway for several weeks before continuing. The admiral of the escorting Danish fleet blamed the storm on the wife of a high official in Copenhagen whom he had insulted. Several nobles of the Scottish court were implicated, and witchcraft trials were held in both countries. Very soon more than a hundred suspected witches in North Berwick were arrested, and many confessed under torture to having met with the Devil in the church at night, and devoted themselves to doing evil, including poisoning the King and other members of his household, and attempting to sink the King's ship."
(from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Berwick_Witch_Trials)



There will be 100 tickets for sale at £6 per person from Monday 16/11 @ 12.15.

The trip is on Saturday the 21st, but this time the meeting point is Waverly Train Station (the information point) at 8.30am.

If possible, please bring the exact amount of money for the ticket sales as this will speed up the process. Thank you.

Pictures by WikiCommons and Jonathan Riise

Monday 9 November 2009

Potluck

LET'S POTLUCK!*

Dear All!

Sorry for the late FB message and Blog, although already announced in the newsletter... here are the details:

This tuesday at 7pm at the ISC, there is a fabulous chance to share some dishes prepared by you and your friends!
You can bring whatever you want: something traditional from your country, sweet or salty, something typical, something easy - the only condition is: eatable ;-)


It's gonna be fun:)

There will be prizes for the best dishes!

(* - A potluck is a gathering of people where each person or group of people contributes a dish of food to be shared among the group)

Friday 6 November 2009

The Czecho-Slovak Night [17/11 @ 7pm]

We are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution and a country that once existed in the heart of Europe - its nature, culture, history & people about which you might not know too much topped with heaps of authentic food, Czech beer & Slovak spirits!






[£3 per person - 25 tickets go on sale on Monday 09/11 @ 12.15pm]


History + Nature


The Velvet Revolution - 17/11/1989 [from Wikimedia Commons]



Prague [by lg]



Orloj - Prague [by lg]


 
Český Krumlov [from Flickr by Franz St.]



 Vranov nad Dyjí [from Flick by jandudas]


 
Bratislavský hrad [by lg]



Spišský hrad [from spiskyhrad.com]





Ťatliak mountain lake - High Tatras [from Flickr by Marianna Koutna]


Food & drinks should be at least as good as these photos :)


Culture

Smetana - Vltava




Dvořák - Novosvětská

Trip to Newcastle


TRIP TO NEWCASTLE

Come along and visit the historic city of Newcastle next Saturday! Once a fort along Hadrians Wall, now a buzzing city of culture, business and spectacular nightlife. We will be going by bus, get dropped off at the central station and then you'll have the day to explore the city.
Try to decipher the Geordie accent, try a Newcastle Brown Ale in one of the many pubs, visit some of the museums or go shopping on Northumberland Street (Princes' street of Newcastle).

A few Geordie translations:

"gan" : go
"larn" : teach
"burn" : stream
"nowt": nothing
"Canny": good
"bait" : food
"hacky": dirty
"netty": toilet
"hoy": throw
"hockle" : spit




Tickets are £9 and go on sale next Monday (9/11) at 12.15.

There will be 68 tickets going on sale.
If possible, please bring the exact amount of money as this will help speed up the ticket sales.

We will be leaving the ISC @ 8.00am

Information from Wikipedia. Tyne Bridge picture from WikiCommons. Gateshead picture taken by Norman Foster

Tuesday 3 November 2009

Guy Fawkes Night


Bonfire Night 5th of November



This is an open invitation to everybody of joining in walking up Arthurs Seat on Guy Fawkes Night/Bonfire Night 5th of November, meeting at the ISC, 8pm.


So what's it all about?



In the UK, Bonfire Night is celebrated annually on the 5th of November. It commemorates an event which occured 404 years ago in London.


Early in the morning of the 5th of November 1605, a group of conspirators tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. They were angry about the persecution of English Catholics and hoped to kill the King and Members of Parliament.


However, some members of the group had second thoughts. One man actually wrote a letter to his friend who worked in the House of Commons, warning him not to go there on the 5th of November.


The plot was discovered. The explosives were found in the cellar of the Houses of Parliament, and the members of the group were caught, tortured and killed. The man who is always remembered as the leader of the plot was called Guy Fawkes.


Later that day, Londoners lit bonfires to celebrate the failure of the plot to kill the king. The tradition has continued for centuries.


Nowadays, ‘Bonfire Night’ is celebrated with fireworks and sparklers. There is also a tradition of burning Guy Fawkes in effigy on the bonfires, although it was practised more often in the past. Children would make a ‘Guy’ and wheel it around the streets, asking for a ‘penny for the guy’. Some people cook on their bonfires, and eat foods such as jacket (or baked) potatoes and sausages.


A traditional rhyme for the occasion which many children still learn is:


Remember remember the fifth of November,

Gunpowder, treason and plot.

I see no reason why gunpowder, treason

Should ever be forgot...



This site has simple information about the history of Guy Fawkes.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A199488



The Scottish Night - Photos & Video [02/11]

For the entire gallery please click here!

Do you want to upload your own photos? Please click here



The Holy Island of Lindisfarne Trip [31/10] - Photos & Video

For the entire gallery please click here!

Do you want to upload your own photos? Please click here!





Friday 30 October 2009

Bannerman's Discount Cards

We just received a pile of Bannerman's discount cards - get yours @ the ISC Lounge during our usual opening hours or before any of our Trips!


The discount card entitles you to:

  • Bottled beer from £2 - all day every day
  • House Spirit & Draught mixer £2 - Monday - Wednesday
  • £2 entry to all Bannermans Live gigs
  • 20% off all food 12-6 every day
  • Free entry to all Jagermeister Monday gigs
Our International Pub Night takes place every Tuesday from 9pm in Bannerman's [212 Cowgate/near Robertsons Close]!


New Lounge Opening Hours from Monday onwards [02/11]

In order to make our trips & events ticket sales much smoother and reduce your waiting time we are changing the opening time of our Lounge to 12.15pm on Mondays only - with immediate effect.



Please bear in mind that next Saturday the long-awaited & fully sold out ISC Weekend Trip is taking place - hence no Trips tickets go on sale on Monday.

Friday 23 October 2009

Lindisfarne Trip [31/10]


Join the ISC to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne next Saturday (31/10). We will be visiting the tidal island of outstanding natural beauty as well as the castle on the island. Enjoy a crab sandwhich (local speciality) and see the place where the Vikings first invaded England in 793, an event some historians regard as the start of the Viking Ages.

The road to this island is flooded by the tide twice a day, so it is essential you make it to the bus on the specified time if you do not want to spend the night on the island.

Please remember to bring warm clothes and an umbrella as we will be outside most of the day:) We leave the ISC at 8am and should be back around 6 in the afternoon.

Tickets go on sale Monday the 26th at noon.

Tickets cost £8 pr. person and there are a total of 68 available. If possible, please try to bring the exact amount due to make the sales quicker and easier.

Picture taken from WikiCommons

Friday 16 October 2009

Scottish Night - Haggis & Ceilidh

On November the 2nd the ISC will host Scottish Night. Originally scheduled earlier, Swiss Night now takes its place on the 26th, Scottish Night has been moved in order to change it into an absolutely unforgettable night of Scottishness!




Scottish Night will be held at Teviot. Initially we will meet in the Dining Room at 7pm, where we will dine on, what is for many, the archetype of Scottish food: Haggis, Neeps & Tatties!

Afterwards we will move up to the Debating Hall, where we have booked a Ceilidh Band so that we can all have a night of fun filled traditional dancing! The Ceilidh will start at 9pm and end when Teviot closes. Should you happen to be thirsty and in need of refreshments, we will have the entire Loft Bar in Teviot reserved especially for us!



Picture from Wikicommons: Kilt

So find forth your kilt, ready your dancing shoes and get a cultural experience! Go to Scottish Night, 2nd of November!

Tickets will be priced at 10£ (including both the Ceilidh & a main course meal of Haggis, Neeps & Tatties) and will go on sale Thursday the 22nd of October at 4pm in the back room of the ISC (where the Foosball table is). We have 100 tickets, so invite your friends! But remember, max 2 tickets per person.

Swiss Night

On the 26th of October the ISC will host an extra bonus nationality night, this time Swiss!


While listening to Swiss folk music and Swiss pop, we will gather around pots and eat cheese fondue. Afterwards there will be hot Ovomaltine and sweets and salty snacks and Swiss herbal tea.

We will tell you some (of the many:) interesting facts about Switzerland and ask funny quiz-questions from time to time. The team that gets most right answers will win a bar of swiss chocolate.


The quiz is followed by the movie Beresina or the last days of Switzerland and those who want, can taste herbal liquor, a common drink in the Alps which is playing a role in the film as well.


Tickets go on sale Monday 19th of October at 12pm and are £3 each.
Sources of cheese fondue & chocolate pictures: 
http://www.boyex.com/wallpaper/chocolate.jpg
http://www.raclette-fondue.com/assets/images/FondueGlamour.jpg

Trip to Loch Katrine [24/10]



Join the ISC on a trip to the beautiful Loch Katrine, the perfect place to enjoy the timeless beauty of The Trossachs [that is a national park - if you did not now]. Magnificent landscapes shaped by nature, and immortalised in poetry by Sir Walter Scott!

Have a nice walk around the amazing Highlands and maybe even go on the Sir Walter Scott steamboat!

Don't miss out on this chances to visit the stunning natural beauty of Scotland! Come by the ISC on Monday [18/10] @ 12.00 and get your ticket for a mere £7! 68 tickets go on sale.

We will be outside for most of the day, so remember to bring warm clothes, umbrella and good outdoor purpose shoes.

Google map:

View Larger Map



For more information on Loch Katrine click here!

Facebook event here!

Image from http://www.scotlandview.co.uk/wallpaper/highlands/lochkatrine1024x768.jpg 

Wednesday 14 October 2009

The ISC Weekend Trip [07/11 - 08/11]




TICKETS
Tickets cost £75 per person and do include:

- comfortable transport all over Scotland ["There and Back Again"]
- a pair of professional tour guides
- sleepover at [supposedly haunted] Carbidsdale Castle
- 3-course dinner on Saturday night
- followed by a ceilidh [inc. live band!]
- breakfast on Sunday morning

- and most importantly - countless unforgettable memories from one of the most beautiful countries in Europe [we dare you to challenge this bit :)]

Tickets [£75 per person] do not include:

- Saturday lunch - so either bring packed lunches or enough cash
- there is [surprisingly enough] no supermarket in the castle's vicinity - so if you drink alcohol, please BYOB [for Saturday night]

138 TICKETS GO ON SALE ON TUESDAY [20/10] @ 6PM at the ISC Lounge.
Do not forget to bring your student cards and please bear in mind that we will sell only 2 TICKETS PER PERSON!


Itinerary [green dots - move the map in northern direction in order to see where Carbidsdale Castle is]


View International Student Centre Edinburgh 2009/10 in a larger map

Saturday [07/11]

Heading north from Edinburgh, we pass the Forth Bridges, through Perthshire - surrounded by mountains, forests and salmon packed rivers.

We will stop at Dunkeld to visit the beautiful Cathedral and hear gruesome tales of the Wolf of Badenoch who was buried there.

We then head north to the Pass of Killicrankie where you will hear tales about the Jacobites and Bonnie Dundee. Lunch is in the small town of Aviemore in the Cairngorm National Park. Then it's off to lonely Culloden Battlefield, scene of the last major battle in Britain set in the Cairngorm National Park.

We then pass over the Kessock Bridge with views of the Black Isle and Cromarty Firth as we head for our lavish evening accommodation in a haunted Highland castle! After dinner in the fabulous dining hall put your dancing shoes on ready for a foot-stomping ceilidh! Lots of dancing, music and fun to be had tonight? Just watch out for any ghosts that might be trying to join in with the fun!

Sunday [08/11]
Winding our way down the West Coast of Scotland back to Edinburgh in a leisurely manner, we'll visit the monstrous Loch Ness, looking for the elusive monster as we go.

We'll then make a stop at the highest mountain in the UK, mighty Ben Nevis.

From there its into the mysterious and haunting Glencoe - areas that formed the backdrop to the movies "Braveheart" and "Rob Roy", then across the wilds of Rannoch Moor (watch out for the Stags) and south past historic Stirling, arriving back in Edinburgh early evening.

Facebook event here!

Afternoon Trip to Dewars Cancelled

Hi all,

Due to lack of interest and/or the flu thats been circulating around the University, we unfortunately aren't able to do the afternoon tour on Saturday to the Dewars distillery. Luckily, we still have space on the morning tour, so all of you that got afternoon tickets have been moved there. This means that instead of showing up at 12.00am, you will need to show up at 8.00am on Saturday the 17th of October.

If you put your email on our list for a friend please make sure to inform him or her as not everyone left their phone number.

See you all on Saturday!

-The International Student Centre

Sunday 11 October 2009

Chinese Night

On Monday the 19th of October, 19:00 the fourth of our five nationality themed nights will be held at the ISC.





After all the European nights, it's about time for an Asian night - we will be hosting an evening of Chinese culture.




We will have some Chinese cuisine available for you to try, including dumplings, a stired dish, a stew and red bean drink. Of course, you will get the chance to try them all, but this time we are going to make it a bit more interesting by playing a game before eating. In the game, you will be divided into teams and the winning team wins the priority to choose the one dish they would like to try first. You will also have the chance to imitate a Chinese movie or TV drama in the game.




Green tea will be served afterwards and if you wish, you can have your name written in Chinese characters. So come along on the 19th! 

Tickets go on sale Monday 12th of October at 12:00PM, price £3.
 

Friday 9 October 2009

Whisky Tour [17/10]

Next week's trip will be to the Dewars Distillery in Aberfeldy!

If you're interested in whisky this is definitely the tour to attend.
We will have 2 tours to the Dewars distillery next Saturday, so hopefully everyone should have the chance to see how the drink of drinks is made and taste some fine Scotch as well.


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Did you know that the word whisky is derived from the Scottish Gaelic uisge beatha, which means "Water of life"?


Come along to the ISC on Monday from 12.00pm and buy tickets!


£12 per person and tours leave the ISC at 8:00 and 12:00 Saturday 17/10.

French Night Photos & Video [28/09]

For the entire gallery please click here!

Do you want to upload your own photos? Please click here!




Thursday 8 October 2009

Scotland v. Australia - Rugby @ Murrayfield [21/11]

Have you ever been to a game of rugby?

Regardless of your answer, you simply cannot afford to miss out on the spectacle that Scotland's encounter with Australia promises to be!


Australia
A real rugby powerhouse, having won the World Cup on in 1991, 1999 and narrowly losing to England in 2003 in the very last game after Jonny Wilkinson's legendary drop goal in extra time. Don't you know what a drop goal is? No worries, we are going to explain all the rugby rules so you know when to start cheering [or booing]!





Scotland
One word - tradition. The Scottish Rugby Union is the second oldest in the whole world and Edinburgh University was one of its founders! Scotland might not have been as successful as Australia, but hey, it is a small country and does rather well in  curling [that is an Olympic sport] and cycling [Chris Hoy] instead.

 




Scottish fans
Scotland has the most loyal and loving fans in the world - the Tartan Army. Never short of kilts, Jimmy hats, saltires & face paints, never feeling too down to stop banging their drums & playing their bagpipes, never too tired to abandon cheering & Mexican waves - and always smiling... A real must-see while in Scotland and one of the best Scottish exports!






Murrayfield
Scotland's home of rugby - capable of taking 64,700 spectators on board! Most big games tend to sell out, promising an unforgettable atmosphere before and throughout [and maybe even after] the match! Seeing the fire show & fireworks as well as singing "Flower of Scotland" just before the game kicks off is a real treat...






Would you like to go?
The word on the street is that tickets are selling out fast - so we decided to step in and buy some. Our "rugby package" will get you some proper [Scottish] food & drinks [whisky too - "When in Rome..."] before the game as well as enough war paint for everyone - regardless of which side you support! We will then head off just in time to see the action unfold...


Now the important bit - tickets [£10/person] go on sale in the back room [where the foosball table is] of the ISC Lounge on Thursday [15/10] @ 4pm. We have [hopefully] ordered enough tickets - although these are yet to be printed out. 

The following will therefore happen - each person will receive a ticket voucher and we will contact you by phone or email once your ticket[/s] have arrived. This system worked perfectly well last year and there is no reason why it should not work this year.

Each ticket holder has to be a matriculated student - Murrayfield security checks student IDs before allowing people into the house of fun...


Any questions? Use the "Post a Comment" feature below...



ISC Rugby Poster

Wednesday 7 October 2009

Wanted [Dead Or Alive] - Photos from French Night, Culzean Castle Trip & Danish Night!

If any of you happens to have some photos from:
  • the French Night
  • the Culzean Castle trip
  • the Danish Night
please do not hesitate and share them with others via our blog/photo sharing service!

It is very simple - just click here to learn how!

ISC Blog Poster - Photos

Saturday 3 October 2009

Irish Night

On Monday the 12th of October 7pm the ISC will host Irish Night, the third of our five nationality themed nights.

Our Irish hosts, Sarah & Mary, will give you the opportunity to sample some traditional Irish soda bread, smoked salmon, a selection of sweet treats, Irish whiskey, cream based liquer and of course some Guinness, which no Irish night would be complete without. All this will be accompanied by the sound of traditional Irish music.






Afterwards you’ll learn some interesting facts about all things Irish. We’ll also show some short video clips and a sample of the finest Irish comedy. To finish the night in true Irish style you’ll have the option of accompanying our hosts to some of the best Irish pubs in Edinburgh.

Tickets go on sale Monday 5th of October at 12pm, price £3.

Wednesday 30 September 2009

Stirling Trip [26/09] - Video

Stirling Trip [26/09] - Photos

For the entire gallery please click here!

Do you want to upload your own photos? Please click here



The Gordian Knot - ISC Trip Tickets Sales and what next?


On Monday I opened up the ISC Lounge and was fortunate enough to witness the spectacle that followed. As every Monday, Saturday Trip tickets went up for sale, this time for a trip to the exquisite piece of architecture named "Culzean Castle". I was highly impressed by how patiently all of you queued for your tickets - I have been involved with the ISC for over three years and to be honest, this was not always the case - so well done and keep up the good work!


 
ISC Trip to St. Andrews [see full album here]


Another issue that caught my attention was the speed with which all 69 tickets disappeared - 42 minutes must be our new record! Those of you who arrived after 12:42pm could not have therefore purchased any tickets and your reactions varied - disappointment was common, bitterness occasional, and in some cases our ticket sales system as such was questioned. These reactions are understandable - many of you are in Edinburgh only for a short period of time, be it a semester or two, and you are keen to explore this wonderful country. I am writing this short article in order to to clarify our current ticket sales policy, outline the reasons for it and allow you to express your opinions and take on any suggestions you may have - because all of us are the ISC!



Demand & Supply
Ticket Prices & Availability
As all of you hopefully know, the ISC is a non-profit organization that relies entirely on the eagerness of its dedicated volunteers and the generosity of the International Office. Our philosophy is to enable you to enjoy your time  in Edinburgh to its fullest possible extent, and therefore we strive to make out trips as affordable as possible and ensure that a sufficient amount of tickets goes on sale every Monday.


The latter often becomes rather contentious - available tickets  do sell out quickly. Nearly 150 tickets went up for sale for the St. Andrews Trip during the Freshers' Week and disappeared in three days; 100 Stirling tickets were gone in about two days, while 69 Culzean Castle tickets found its owners in record-breaking 42 minutes! Why do we keep selling less and less tickets, while demand remains high?


The answer is simple - capacity. We work closely with Historic Scotland and National Trust for Scotland to provide you with an opportunity to broaden your horizons outside the classroom. Each venue does, however, have only a limited capacity of large groups that can be admitted in - the smaller and more confined the venue is, the lower the capacity. In St. Andrews we were able to divide you up into three separate groups in order to get around this problem - one group went to see the castle, another one the cathedral, while the final group was given time to roam freely around St. Andrews. Unfortunately, what applies for bigger tourist attractions such as St. Andrews or Stirling does not apply to the likes of Culzean Castle - therefore only a limited number of tickets goes on sale, so your experience does not get spoiled by pointless waiting & queuing.


ISC Trip to Stirling [see full album here]

Ticket Sales Policy

Our Ticket Sales Policy is by far the most controversial issue in our functioning and has been an appearing and re-appearing point on the Core Committee agenda for as long as I can possibly remember. Saturday Trip tickets go on sale on Monday at 12 o'clock noon and can be purchased by matriculated University of Edinburgh students only - which would be alright if they did not sell out with such an astonishing speed. Some are lucky enough to have friends or flatmates queuing - please bear in mind that each person can buy two tickets - others are not that fortunate...


It is this speed that generates a lot of emotions, especially from those who for one reason or another failed to turn up at 12 o'clock and sometimes even queue before the actual sales time. We realize that not all of you can make it on Monday at 12 o'clock - you might have lectures at KB, have a training, a practical or be at work.

We have therefore gone through a number of suggestions. Some of you have suggested reserving tickets beforehand - unfortunately, this cannot be accomplished. We are not a tourist agency and therefore cannot afford to run an online or telephone reservation system and accept legal responsibilities that such reservation systems carry [to name just one - storing and processing your debit and credit card information]. 
Another suggestion has been releasing one half of tickets for sale on Monday and another half, let's say, on Tuesday - this again is not a solution, as it does not address the problem itself - what if someone turns up on Monday, only to realize that all the Monday tickets have been sold out and he/she cannot make it on Tuesday.

One final idea revolved around a ticket quota system, i.e. allocating a certain number of tickets to people that study in KB and/or medical and veterinary science people, who might have their practicals on Monday and cannot make it to George Square on time. Such a quota system give rise to another problem - how to allocate these tickets fairly and how to re-allocate them if, for example, there are some left over medics tickets? This clearly is not a solution...




Alexander cuts the Gordian Knot, by Jean-Simon Berthélemy from Wikipedia Commons


We therefore have no other option than keeping the current ticket sales policy and release trip tickets for sale on Monday at 12 o'clock [noon]. We do realize that the current sales policy is not entirely fair, but please recall Churchill's famous dictum: "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time." Our situation is somewhat similar and our current ticket sales policy is like democracy - or maybe even like the legendary Gordian Knot - if you feel like Alexander the Great, please send us your suggestion using the "Post a Comment" feature on the bottom of this page and I can guarantee you that it will be considered.


lukas