Explore Viking religion, mythology, archaeology, runes, sagas and more with our expert lecturers and guides on the Viking Islands of Orkney and Shetland
Venues Orkney: The Orkney Summer Course will take place at the Centre for Nordic Studies, Kiln Corner, Kirkwall, which is in Kirkwall’s town centre. Shetland: The Shetland Summer Course will be based at North Atlantic Fisheries College (NAFC), Scalloway which is 5 miles from Lerwick, Shetland’s capital. Study Mode A mixture of lectures by expert staff from the Centre for Nordic Studies and field trips around the islands with our qualified tourist guides brings the Viking heritage of Orkney and Shetland alive. Cost £495 per week, to include all lectures and field trips. Optional activities such as sailing on a Viking boat (Shetland) or the Viking Feast (Orkney) will be at an additional charge. Programmes are ILA registered (see below). Local island residents: £345 (local Summer School only).
Centre for Nordic Studies
Orkney & Shetland 24-28 June and 1-5 July
Summer Courses 2013
Viking Culture
Travel & Accommodation There are excellent ferry and air links to both islands, with connections from all major Scottish airports as well as a direct flight from Bergen (Norway) to Shetland from MayAugust (please check with Flybe.com directly). Accommodation is available on campus in Shetland. Accommodation in Orkney can be booked with a range of bed & breakfast providers or two hostels in close walking distance to the campus in Kirkwall.
Loved every lecture! So much to think about and explore further…. Patricia McPhail, Canada.
Extremely well presented and wonderfully refreshing. Emma Boast, a.k.a. “Bruni” of the Jorvik Viking Centre, York.
Photographs/Images: © Shetland Museum & Archives Photo Library, University of the Highlands and Islands, Visit Orkney, CNS staff, Jonas Rydin, Christopher Gee, Iain Cochrane, Sigurd Towrie and Steven Heddle
Credits This course is accredited with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and is worth 5 SQA credits. To qualify for credits a written paper will be required. If you are interested in gaining credit tick the appropriate box on the application form. Individual Learning Account, Scotland If you live in Scotland you may be eligible for an Individual Learning Account payment of up to £200. Check their website for details, www.ilascotland.org.uk. You must have your ILA in place before applying in order for it to be eligible for part-payment towards our Summer Courses. The ILA can only be used for part-payment towards a full week of the Summer programmes.
www.nordic.uhi.ac.uk
Image © Iain Cochrane
www.nordic.uhi.ac.uk
Shetland 24—28 June Where? NAFC Marine Centre, Scalloway.
Orkney 1—5 July Where? Centre for Nordic Studies, Kirkwall
Booking Form COMPLETE IN BLOCK CAPITALS I would like to attend the (please tick):
This week-long summer programme will take you, amongst other places, to Scotland’s most northerly island, Unst and Shetland’s ancient capital, Scalloway. Lectures and fieldtrips will follow the themes below:
Viking Voyages: We will study Viking voyages, navigation and ship building techniques. The field trip visits a reconstructed Viking longship. There will be the option to sail on a Viking ship! Viking Society and Landscapes: Who were the Vikings? Where did they settle? We will look at archaeological evidence, laws and religion, and visit the remains of a longhouse and a ‘ting’ (local assembly site). Vikings in Popular Culture: Learn about Vikings in popular culture and film, including the Shetland Winter Fire Festival Up-Helly-Aa. We will visit the Galley shed to meet modernday Vikings, and see where replica Viking galleys are made. Sagas and Everyday Life: We will learn about the literature of the Norse people, their stories, myths and folklore. Runes and Games: Make your own runic inscription while learning about the ancient alphabet of the Vikings. Learn a Viking game and participate in a Hnefatafl or Kubb tournament!
Inter-island ferry fares in Shetland and Orkney and all entrance fees are included in the price. Accommodation at the Scalloway Campus can be booked at a separate charge. Please note on your booking form if you require accommodation.
This week-long summer programme offers you lectures and field trips, and will also take you to the islands of Rousay and Egilsay as well as to the mythical Maeshowe chambered tomb. Lectures and fieldtrips will follow the themes below.
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Other
Viking Voyages: We will be guided through the Vikings’ voyages, navigation and ship building techniques, followed by a field trip to a Viking harbour town. Viking Society: Norse pre-Christian religion and conversion, their law and administrative organisation. We visit the seat of the Earl of Orkney and cult site of St Magnus. Everyday life: What did the Vikings wear, how did they live, what did they eat? We explore practical life in the Viking age with a hands-on approach and opportunities to taste. Optional Viking Feast in the evening.
Payment: We prefer payment by cheque, which should be made payable to Orkney Islands Council, or online via the details below. Please tick your method of payment(s) below. If your have an ILA, please ensure it is in place before applying, and give us with your registration number below.
SQA Credit bearing *
Saga day: Day trip to the islands of Rousay and Egilsay, where we visit pivotal sites from the Orkneyinga Saga while learning about the literature of the Norse people. Runes day: Make your own runic inscription while learning about the ancient writing of the Vikings. The field trip visits Maeshowe chambered tomb, containing Britain’s largest assemblage of runic inscriptions.
We can take credit/debit card payments by two methods: Online. Go to
www.orkney.gov.uk
Choose Online Payments / Other Payments / Orkney College* Over the telephone, phone 01856 569300
* Choose SQA Credit Bearing only if you wish to gain a qualification and are prepared to sit an assessment in the form of an essay.
Centre for Nordic Studies University of the Highlands & Islands Kiln Corner Kirkwall Orkney KW15 1QX Tel: +44 01856 569300