Chatterbox #296 – Anna’s trip to Scotland

Summary

In this episode of the CIPS English podcast, hosts Andrew and Anna discuss their summer breaks, with a focus on Anna's trip to Scotland. She shares her experiences visiting Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the Highlands, including the remote village of Inver. The conversation covers Scottish landscapes, the challenges of Scottish midges, and local cuisine like haggis. They also touch on the importance of taking time off and the benefits of reconnecting with nature.

Takeaways

• 🎙️ Andrew and Anna co-host the Chatterbox series, a podcast for intermediate and advanced English learners featuring natural conversations on interesting topics.
• 🌞 The podcast took a break during the summer and fall to recharge, and they are back with new episodes.
• 🏞️ Anna spent her summer traveling to Scotland, visiting Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the Highlands, including the remote area of Inverness.
• 🏡 Anna stayed in a small, remote village in the Highlands with a population of around 80, experiencing true solitude and quiet.
• 🌄 She enjoyed the unique landscape of the Highlands, which she found hard to compare to any other place she's visited.
• 🚗 Getting to the Highlands involved a flight from Spain to Edinburgh and a 4-hour drive to the remote location.
• 🌤️ Anna was fortunate to experience clear, cloudless skies during her visit, which is atypical for Scotland's often cloudy and rainy weather.
• 🍲 She tried haggis, a traditional Scottish dish, and found it surprisingly good despite its unappetizing description.
• 🦟 Anna encountered 'midges,' small biting insects that are prevalent in the Scottish countryside during summer, which can be a nuisance for outdoor activities.
• 🍵 Scottish specialties mentioned include haggis, Irn-Bru (a fizzy drink), and biscuits like Tunnocks Caramel Wafers and Snowballs.

Q & A

What is the name of the podcast series Anna and Andrew are hosting?

The podcast series Anna and Andrew are hosting is called 'Chatterbox'.

Why did Anna and Andrew take a break during the summer?

Anna and Andrew took a break during the summer to recharge their batteries.

What is the significance of the study guide mentioned in the podcast?

The study guide is designed to help listeners build their English skills and reach their learning goals faster by providing additional resources such as transcripts and access to live streams.

How long was Anna's vacation in Scotland?

Anna took a month off for her vacation in Scotland.

What is the difference between the terms 'vacation' and 'holiday' as used by Anna and Andrew?

In the podcast, Anna mentions that 'vacation' is a North American term, while in the UK, including Scotland, people use the term 'holiday'.

What is the benefit of taking unpaid leave in Spain as mentioned by Anna?

In Spain, every employed person can have up to two weeks of unpaid leave per year, which Anna combined with her paid leave to take a month off.

Which Scottish city did Anna visit that is known for its festival?

Anna visited Edinburgh, which is known for its festival, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, held in August.

What is the population of Inverness, the city Anna mentioned as the last big city before the Highlands?

The population of Inverness was approximately 46,870 in 2012, and it is expected to be around 50,000 as of the podcast's recording.

What is the typical Scottish drink that Anna mentioned?

The iconic Scottish drink mentioned by Anna is Irn-Bru, a bright orange, fizzy drink.

What is 'haggis', the traditional Scottish food that Anna tried during her trip?

Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish made from sheep's pluck (heart, liver, and lungs) minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally encased in the animal's stomach and boiled.

What are 'midges' and why did they bother Anna during her trip?

Midges are tiny flies that are prevalent in the Scottish countryside and can bite humans. They were bothersome to Anna because they swarm around people, especially when there is no wind to deter them.