大家好，我的名字叫黄策。大家也可以叫我Huang,因为策在英语母语者中发音较为少见。大家在前往英国国祚学习前如果有相似的问题也可以先起一个英文名方便生活中使用。好了，作为学生大使这次我将为大家简单介绍一下圣诞假期（英国大学一般在12月底到1月初有2周的假期）期间我在苏格兰爱丁堡的旅行经历！
Hi! My name is Ce Huang, but you can also call me Huang, as “Ce” is a less common sound for native English speakers to pronounce. If you’re planning to study in the UK and have a similar concern, you might consider picking an English name to make daily life a bit easier. As a Student Ambassador, I’d like to share my Christmas holiday experience with you! (For context, universities in the UK usually have a two-week break from late December to early January.) This time, I spent my holiday exploring Edinburgh, Scotland, and I’m excited to give you a glimpse of my journey!
第一天我们来到了爱丁堡博物馆，是一个展现爱丁堡丰富历史和文化遗产的瑰宝。博物馆内收藏了大量文物，包括装饰艺术品、历史文件以及讲述城市和居民故事的展品。上图为是世界上第一只通过体细胞克隆技术成功复制的哺乳动物——克隆羊多利。很多人可能在生物课本见过，看到真实的标本还是很震撼的。
On our first day, we visited the Museum of Edinburgh, a treasure trove showcasing the city’s rich history and cultural heritage. The museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts, including decorative arts, historical documents, and exhibits that tell the stories of the city and its people. Pictured above is Dolly the Sheep, the world’s first mammal successfully cloned using somatic cell nuclear transfer. Many people might have seen her in biology textbooks, but seeing the real preserved specimen in person was truly awe-inspiring.
夜晚的爱丁堡，在灯光的点缀下显得格外美丽。更加凸显了这座历史名城的独特魅力。在每年的圣诞节期间，和伦敦一样爱丁堡也会有临时搭建的游乐设施和圣诞集市。在跨年时还会有盛大的霍格曼尼新年庆祝和烟花表演。感兴趣的同学不要错过了，可以选择在介时到爱丁堡游玩亲身体验苏格兰与英格兰文化的差别。
Edinburgh at night is extraordinarily beautiful, adorned with dazzling lights that highlight the unique charm of this historic city. Like London, Edinburgh also hosts temporary amusement rides and Christmas markets during the festive season. Around New Year, the city comes alive with the grand Hogmanay celebrations and stunning fireworks displays. For those interested, don’t miss the chance to visit Edinburgh during this time and experience the cultural differences between Scotland and England firsthand. It’s a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere and explore the rich traditions of Scotland.
从爱丁堡出发，苏格兰高地地区也是滑雪的好去处。我作为中国东北地区的孩子当然不会错过这个机会，乘车到滑雪场一路上的美景给人亲近大自然的绝佳机会。
Starting from Edinburgh, the Scottish Highlands are also a fantastic destination for skiing. As someone from Northeast China, I certainly couldn’t miss this opportunity. The journey to the ski resort offered breathtaking views along the way, providing a perfect chance to connect with nature.
上图为卡尔顿山，是爱丁堡市中心一座风景如画的山丘，以壮丽的全景视野和历史建筑闻名，被誉为“爱丁堡的屋顶”。山上坐落着许多标志性地标，如未完工的国家纪念碑、纳尔逊纪念塔以及杜格尔·斯图尔特纪念碑，为游客提供绝佳的摄影和观景点。从山顶可以俯瞰爱丁堡城堡、老城、新城以及远处的福斯湾，是了解爱丁堡历史与文化的必游之地，尤其适合在日落或夜晚登临，欣赏城市迷人的灯光与风景。
Pictured above is Calton Hill, a picturesque hill located in the heart of Edinburgh, renowned for its stunning panoramic views and historic architecture, earning it the nickname “The Roof of Edinburgh.” The hill is home to several iconic landmarks, including the unfinished National Monument, the Nelson Monument, and the Dugald Stewart Monument, making it a prime spot for photography and sightseeing. From the summit, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town, the New Town, and the distant Firth of Forth. Calton Hill is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to delve into Edinburgh’s history and culture. It is especially magical during sunset or at night, offering a mesmerizing display of city lights and scenic beauty.
在行程的最后一天我们去了爱丁堡城堡，安排在最后一天的主要原因是购票的困难。我们在爱丁堡的5天由于没有提前购票只能留在最后一天前往。所以提醒有计划的同学一定要提前计划行程网上购买门票，但当我们开始观赏城堡后发现一切都是值得的。坐落于死火山岩顶上，俯瞰整座城市，具有深厚的历史和战略意义。作为苏格兰王室的居所和军事要塞，它见证了无数重要的历史事件。城堡内展出包括苏格兰王冠、命运之石等珍贵文物。图片上为城堡内的“一点钟大炮”，是城堡的特色传统，每天（除周日、圣诞节和耶稣受难日外）下午1点准时鸣放。这一习俗始于1861年，最初用于帮助港口的船只校准航海时间。如今，这声大炮鸣响不仅是时间的标志，也是吸引游客的表演亮点，让人感受到历史与现代的交融。
On the final day of our trip, we visited Edinburgh Castle. The main reason for scheduling it on the last day was the difficulty in securing tickets. During our five days in Edinburgh, we couldn’t visit earlier due to not booking in advance, so we saved it for the final day. Therefore, I strongly recommend that anyone planning to visit should plan their itinerary ahead of time and purchase tickets online. However, once we began exploring the castle, we realized it was well worth the wait.
Perched atop an extinct volcanic rock, the castle overlooks the entire city and holds profound historical and strategic significance. As the residence of Scottish royalty and a military fortress, it has witnessed countless pivotal moments in history. Inside the castle, visitors can marvel at treasures like the Crown of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. The image above shows the famous “One O’Clock Gun” within the castle, a unique tradition where the cannon is fired daily (except Sundays, Christmas, and Good Friday) at precisely 1 PM. This practice began in 1861 to help ships in the port calibrate their navigational time. Today, the cannon’s firing is not only a time signal but also a highlight for visitors, offering a captivating blend of history and modern-day spectacle.
最后想和大家主要介绍一下萨里大学的地理位置为我们出门游玩带来的优势，吉尔福德距伦敦的滑铁卢火车站只有30分钟车程。伦敦作为英国的首都有着四通八达的交通，所以我们从吉尔福德出发到苏格兰的爱丁堡也只用了6个多小时的时间，比很多居住在伦敦其他区域还要快捷。
Lastly, I’d like to highlight the geographical advantage of the University of Surrey when it comes to traveling. Guildford is just a 30-minute train ride from London Waterloo. As the capital of the UK, London boasts an extensive and well-connected transportation network, making travel incredibly convenient.
For instance, our journey from Guildford to Edinburgh in Scotland took just over six hours, which is even quicker than starting from some other areas within London itself. This accessibility not only makes it easier to explore different parts of the UK but also enriches our overall study-abroad experience.
