
Meeting Point – Lockerbie Station
Your adventure begins as you arrive in Edinburgh. The meeting point is Lockerbie Station which is an easy transfer from airport, taking just over 1 hour. The first collection is at 1pm so we recommend flying in the morning or afternoon. We also make collections at 3pm and 5pm as the trains are arriving every two hours from Edinburgh Airport and also from the city centre.
Your home for the course will be in the beautiful village of Moffat. You’ll be staying in a spectacular country house which is reserved just for us! The first evening will be the welcome meal, which is a great opportunity to meet the native speakers and your fellow travellers. If you’re arriving a day early, we can suggest excellent accommodation options to ensure a relaxed start to your journey.
If you are flying to Scotland then the most convenient place to fly is Edinburgh Airport (Turnhouse EDI). We will give you exact instructions so it’s impossible to get lost!
For those of you arriving in the early afternoon we’ll take a walk around the charming Lochmaben Lake which is also home to an old castle with lots of history.

Grey Mare’s Tail & Loch Skeen
After a big breakfast together at the house, we’ll head out to the beautiful Grey Mare’s Tail. The walk starts at one of Scotland’s biggest waterfalls and passes wooden bridges, spectacular viewpoints and diverse wildlife and nature. At the end of the path you reach the magnificent Loch Skeen. If you’re brave enough it’s a great place for a swim! Here we will also enjoy lunch, while enjoying the peacefulness and fresh air all around. After lunch we’ll visit St Mary’s Loch for some more great views over the forest.
Moffat

Highland Cows
On the road to Edinburgh we’ll stop at the Pentland Regional Park. Here you can get close to the famous Scottish cows, who are wandering fee in fields. It also offers views over the city of Edinburgh and the North Sea.
Edinburgh City Tour
Edinburgh, the enchanting capital of Scotland, is a must-visit destination that seamlessly blends history, culture, and natural beauty. With its iconic Edinburgh Castle perched atop an ancient volcano, the historic Royal Mile, and stunning Georgian and Victorian architecture, the city is a treasure trove of historical and architectural wonders.
As well as the most famous sights like Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh Castle and Victoria Street you’ll also see some lesser known attractions such as Greyfriars Bobby, Cockburn Street and Princess Street Gardens. On the way to Edinburgh we will also try to get close to the Highland Cows!
Today’s lunch will be at Grassmarket, where you can find lots of interesting food stalls with cuisines from all over the world.a traditional cafe where you can try local food such as Haggis or Scotch Egg. If it’s not for you then there is also lots of other options.
Traditional Scottish Pub Dinner
Visiting a Scottish pub is an experience steeped in warmth and tradition. As you step inside, you’re greeted by the comforting crackle of a wood-burning fireplace and the rich aroma of hearty, homemade dishes. The atmosphere is lively yet intimate, with locals sharing stories and laughter over pints of locally brewed ale or a dram of fine Scotch whisky.
Now is a great opportunity to try some typical British dishes. The most popular is of course Fish & Chips but there are many more which you have probably never heard of such as Steak & Ale Pie, Toad in the Hole or a Shepherd’s Pie. You can wash it down with a lovely, local beer.

Morton Castle
First we visit this 12th-century castle which was used for feasts and parties. It’s surrounded by stunning landscapes and is often empty, leaving us with our own private castle. It’s very different to the next castle we’ll visit but equally charming.
Drumlanrig Castle & Gardens
Drumlanrig Castle and Gardens is a magnificent destination that blends history, architecture, and natural beauty. Located in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway, this 17th-century castle, also known as the ‘Pink Palace’ due to its distinctive sandstone façade, is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. Visitors can explore its grand rooms filled with antique furniture, fine art collections, and historical artifacts, offering a glimpse into Scotland’s noble past. Surrounding the castle, the extensive gardens are a treat for nature lovers, featuring beautifully landscaped grounds, ancient trees, and vibrant flowerbeds. With its serene pathways, scenic woodland walks, and opportunities for wildlife spotting, Drumlanrig Castle and Gardens provides an enchanting experience for those looking to enjoy a day of exploration, history, and tranquillity in the Scottish countryside.
Thornhill
Time for lunch and we’ll head for the quiet village of Thornhill. There is a very local feel and they have a cafe was some very tasty local food, especially the cakes!Know Your
Slang
We have a fun but very practical lesson to finish with! This time the focus will be slang and colloquial language. Want to know how native speakers really talk?Slang is an important part of English to master. It differs between all regions and is very commonly used. If you want to take your understanding and speaking to the next level then this will help you. It’s also a lot of fun to learn so this is often our favourite lesson to teach!

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end. After an action packed trip it’s time to leave Scotland.
We will take you back to the meeting point so you can make your flight or train on time. We recommend not booking flight before 12pm as it’s difficult to reach the airport earlier than this.
We will have breakfast as always or we can make something before this if you have an earlier flight. There is still time for you to have a final walk in the village if your flight is a little later. If you want to extend your stay in this beautiful country, we have lots of great recommendations.
We are sure you will have a wonderful experience in Scotland. You will see a mix of nature, history, culture and local life. You will also meet new friends on the course and get more confidence speaking English. Until next time!
EXCELLENT Based on 140 reviews Posted on Cristina AntonacTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Bilo je stvarno lijepo iskustvo. Odličan način za posjetiti London, usput vježbati engleski izgovor i vidjeti okolna mjesta kao što su nacionalni park New Forest i Oxford.Posted on Michela ZandonaiTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The experience with English Al Fresco has been positive and I would recommend it to someone who wants to spend a long weekend while speaking English and visiting amazing places in the UK. I chose London for the month of June. I travelled on my own then I was lucky to meet a nice group of people to share the experience with. Reaching the town of Reading was really easy and, at the same time, it is very easy to reach London from Reading, if you want to spend more days there. English Al Fresco’s house is located in Shienfield, a nice village where is possible to take quiet walks before or after a day spent with the group.Posted on Nadia De LorenzoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Beautiful experience, very good teachers, I can't wait to repeat itPosted on Gianni FranzeseTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. One of the greatest and interesting experiences of my life. Improving my English by visiting wonderful places with very nice people has been the perfect combination that I had been looking for much time. A special thanks to Hannah, Katie and Phoebe for making unforgettable this journey.Posted on elena donadiTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Unforgettable!Still day dreaming Scotland! Amazing experince living Scottish people life from the acomodation to the food! Very well organize and with an honest price! Garry and his colleges are amazing, always available and kind with a friendly approach they try to bring out the best of their students with smart and of course al fresco lessons. Thank you ❤🌹🙏Posted on Anastasia MurashkoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My experience has been incredible. I’ve had the opportunity to see many wonderful places. It was nice to meet people from different countries. The accomodation is very comfortable. After this course I felt more confident with speacking english. I highly recommand. Thank's for everything!Posted on ElenaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Esperienza fantastica! Abbiamo soggiornato in un piccolo villaggio scozzese ed è stato meraviglioso svegliarsi con il canto degli uccellini e fare una passeggiata mattutina in mezzo ai giardini, pieni di fiori e prati verdissimi con le pecore, una vera immersione nel cuore della Scozia! Le stanze sono confortevoli (portate un adattatore per le prese), la colazione è tipica inglese dolce e salata, l’organizzazione è perfetta. Non sono le solite lezioni, ma è una possibilità di conversare in inglese in un gruppo piccolo, imparare i modi di dire dei madrelingua, fare delle passeggiate nei boschi, visitare i castelli scozzesi e Edimburgo. Ringrazio di cuore Garry, sempre pronto a dare una mano sia per l’inglese che per qualsiasi domanda organizzativa, Daniella, una ragazza simpaticissima e Ann!Posted on Clara DomènechTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Gran experiència a Escòcia amb English al Fresco. Han sigut uns dies magnífics amb activitats divertides, paisatges espectaculars, cultura, gastronomia i una immersió total amb l'anglès que m'ha permès millorar la llengua. Els professors son excel•lents i et faciliten una estada acollidora i còmoda. Recomano l'experiència 100%.Posted on Viktoria LekhTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. If you're looking to improve your English, English Al Fresco offers a well-rounded, enriching program that will exceed your expectations. I recently completed an English course with Garry in Edinburgh, and I highly recommend it. The accommodations provided were exceptional. We stayed in a very beautiful house that looked like a scene from an Agatha Christie movie. One of the highlights of the course was the variety of excursions included. These outings were not only educational but also incredibly fun and memorable. I will never forget swimming in the mountain lake and rolling down the hill. I left the course not only with improved English skills but also with new friends and unforgettable experiences. I am looking forward to joining other adventures with English Al Fresco.Posted on Silvie P.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great experience, I met a lot of nice people and great hosts. I definitely want to come back, just to a different place😊Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
We’re based outside the Scottish capital of Edinburgh; set in a lush, green corner in the village of Moffat. Here, engaging with the warm-hearted locals is as easy as stepping out the door. Plus, the area boasts charming shops and restaurants that you won’t be able to resist. The giant house which is all for us during the course is called Moffat Independent Hostel.
Ready to improve your English while exploring the beauty of Edinburgh? Join our immersive language experience and build confidence in real-life conversations.
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Wed 14 Oct 2026Secure your place with a deposit of 30%. Final payment is due 30 days before departure. You can also pay in full immediately if you wish.
If your circumstances change and you can no longer make it, you can transfer your deposit to another trip up until 10 days before departure.
Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a room. Any supplemental costs will be shown on the next screen.