University of St. Andrew
This Scottish university is the oldest university in Scotland and is located in St. Andrews, a town with a population of 17,000 on the east coast of Scotland – about 50 km north-east of Edinburgh as the crow flies.
Classes began here three years before the University was officially founded by a papal bull in 1413. Around 7,200 students study at the university, around a third of whom come from outside the UK.
It should be mentioned that Prince William and Kate Middleton studied art history here and met here. On the so-called Raisin Monday, the freshmen thank their mentors for their help with a pound of raisins, who in turn had designed crazy costumes for the freshmen with which they paraded around the campus. Finally, everyone throws shaving cream at each other. This centuries-old tradition takes place every October.
The university is divided into the following faculties:
- Arts (art)
- Divinity (theology)
- Medicine (medicine)
- Science
Scapa Flow
Scapa Flow is a type of bay on the Orkney Islands in northern Scotland, which is formed or “framed” by the following islands:
– Mainland
– Burray
– Flotta
– South Ronaldsay
– Hoy
The bay has become known worldwide because an unprecedented sinking of a ship took place here after the First World War: the large battleships of the German Navy – a favorite project of Kaiser Wilhelm II – were hardly any after the battle in Skagerack in 1916 for a variety of reasons still used. After the end of the war, most ships were therefore undamaged in various German ports. One last great “heroic” battle, which the Admiralty had planned, failed due to the revolt of the sailors. At that time, the sailors saw no point in allowing themselves to be sacrificed to the prestige of their admirals in a militarily senseless battle.
As a result of the surrender, 74 unarmed ships under the command of Vice Admiral Ludwig von Reuter had to leave Germany and await their further fate in the Bay of Scapa Flow. The situation of the people on board the ships, who lay idle at anchor there for months, was more than precarious, especially since the admiral was in constant quarrel with the influential soldiers’ councils. The British forbade the crews to go ashore.
To put an end to this situation and to prevent the ships from falling into “enemy hands”, the admiral, in agreement with the soldiers’ councils, decided to sink the ships himself by opening the sea valves.
This happened on June 21, 1919 while the English guard ships had left the bay for an exercise. Except for a ship of the line, three small cruisers and eleven torpedo boats, all ships sank to the bottom of the sea.
When the English noticed the scuttling, they came back full steam in the bay and took some of the lifeboats, in which the crews wanted to go ashore, under fire. A number of unarmed sailors and officers were killed. Their graves, which are still well cared for, tell of the events to this day. With the exception of seven ships, all sunken ships were later lifted and scrapped.
It should be mentioned that this meant great luck for the region economically.
The ships still lying there today – like the “Kronprinz Wilhelm” at a depth of around 35 m – are a popular destination for divers.
History
The Standing Stones of Callanish
5,000 years ago, rich Stone Age clans built a huge place of worship in the Outer Hebrides – there are over 20 stone circles and “standing stones” in the peninsula and water maze around Callanish. The stones were deliberately designed by their builders for the position of the moon at winter and summer solstice. The main complex was laid out in the form of a Celtic cross and consists of several 3 m high stones and a 4.7 m high monolith. The Callanish Stone Circles are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Royal Yacht Britannia
100 Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ
Tel. 0044- (0) 131-555 5566
The old royal yacht is moored at the Ocean Terminal and can be viewed there. After 44 years in the service of the kings, the yacht retired and soon became a symbol of the city. On board you can admire the Royal Apartments, as well as the small cabins of the Admirals. Every day the yacht is cleaned down to the tiniest object and a visit gives you the feeling of walking in times long past.
HMS Unicorn
The HMS Unicorn is Britain’s oldest warship and is still at sea. It is located on the Victoria Docks in Dundee.