Faculty Contacts
EMERGENCY (UK only) · 999 · Equivalent of 911 — no prefix needed. Denmark & Sweden only: 112
▸ Practical Guidance (from the travel doc)
Lodgings
Group up — no one should stay somewhere alone. For major cities (London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Copenhagen) Airbnb group apartments may be cheaper and more comfortable than hostel dorms. Hostels below are the best solo/small-group options. Wherever you stay: be courteous, clean, and mind your stuff.
Money
UK is largely contactless — tap-to-pay is universal, some vendors don't accept cash. Notify your bank before departure. Bring at least two payment methods. Keep card and passport separate and out of outer pockets. VAT is usually included in posted prices. Cost of living is higher than the US — keep a frugal eye.
Food
Arrive each morning having had breakfast. Carry lunch and snacks in your daypack — group sessions don't stop to procure food. Most hostels have free breakfast and a kitchen; making dinner together saves money. After class you can explore local restaurants or self-cater with local ingredients.
Gear essentials
No rolling luggage — 40–50L internal-frame backpack with waist belt only. Pack for 5–7 days and do laundry. Layers are key: 60–70°F in London, 40–50°F in the Highlands at night. Lightweight raincoat is essential. Break in your shoes before departure. Bring a refillable water bottle, flip-flops for hostel showers, and a thin rope for a laundry line.
Tech + devices
Minimize devices — leave laptops and tablets at home. Wi-Fi is available nightly at all lodgings. Keep cellular data/roaming off and use Wi-Fi only. A local prepaid SIM or eSIM is cheaper than carrier roaming plans for emergency calls. Stow sketchbook supplies (sharps, fluids) in checked baggage when flying.
Documents + health
Passport on your person at all times (inside pocket or money belt). Scan all documents and email to yourself and Prof. Johnson before departure. Bring proof of health insurance. Carry basic OTC meds: antidiarrheal, antihistamine, painkiller, motion-sickness tabs. Prescription meds: bring enough for the full trip with pharmacy label. Student ID for museum discounts.
Daylight in Scotland
Scottish midsummer days stretch past 18 hours. You will be exhausted from long days out — resist the urge to stay up late. Pack an eye mask if you need darkness to sleep.
Conduct
Attendance is mandatory — the train will not wait. Zero tolerance for inebriation. No pocket knives with locking blades (illegal in the UK). Walk confidently, stay low-profile, don't go anywhere alone or impaired. Your US constitutional rights do not follow you abroad.
Booking tips: For single-night stops (Cardiff, Liverpool), prioritise easy check-in/out. The Scottish legs (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Portree, Fort William) all run through Hostelling Scotland (SYHA) — a membership card saves money across multiple nights. Dufftown has no hostel; the B&B listed is the best local option — book early. Copenhagen hostels fill fast in summer; book 6–8 weeks ahead. For groups of 3+, compare Airbnb apartment rates against hostel dorm costs — apartments often win on comfort and price in London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Copenhagen.
Mandatory Pre-Departure Sessions
Tue 26 May — Studio visit: Erik Gustafson woodworking + Chicago Weaving School workshop (both TBC)
Thu 28 May — AIC "Close Looking" workshop
Tue 2 Jun — Group review
Wed 10 Jun — Final studio session, 9:00–14:00. Earliest departure after 5pm. Do not book a flight that requires leaving before this session ends.
Attendance mandatory for all sessions
Depart for London 10–13 Jun
Top Pick — West & Central days
104 Bolsover St, London W1W 5NU
Near BBC HQ and British Museum. 24/7 self-catering kitchen, café-bar, all-ages welcome. Good base for multiple nights given the range of areas covered this week.
24/7 kitchen
Café-bar
W1 postcode
Alt — City & Southbank days
36 Carter Lane, London EC4V 5AB
Excellent location for City/Southbank days. Historic building steps from the Tate. Note: St Paul's Cathedral bells are audible throughout the night.
EC4 postcode
Bells at night — bring earplugs
Bathwick Hill, Bath BA2 6LA
Described by reviewers as one of the most beautiful YHAs in Britain — Italian villa-style building with views over the city. Uphill from the centre (15–20 min walk or short bus). Large self-catering kitchen.
Panoramic views
Large kitchen
Uphill from centre
93 St Mary St, Cardiff CF10 1DX
The most central budget option in Cardiff, with digital key access. Fine for a single night — the location is hard to beat. Sits above a drum & bass club; music can penetrate until late. Earplugs essential.
City centre
Digital keys
Nightclub below — earplugs
25 Tabley St, Liverpool L1 8EE
Consistently clean and well-reviewed. Walking distance from the Albert Dock and the Granby Four Streets neighbourhood. Comfortable beds, good value, in-house food available.
Near Albert Dock
Evening meals
Top Pick
7–8 Park Terrace, Glasgow G3 6BY
Victorian townhouse in the West End, a short walk from the School of Art. Beautiful common lounge, well-equipped kitchen, friendly staff. The building has character.
Near GSA
Great lounge
SYHA — membership saves money
Alt — more privacy
89 Buccleuch St, Glasgow G3 6QT
Single-bed rooms (not dorms), giving more privacy than a typical hostel. Small shared kitchen per floor. 15-min walk from GSA. Good for those who need quiet sleep.
Single beds — more privacy
Near city centre
⚠ Accommodation TBC — faculty likely making a central booking
The itinerary notes that faculty will likely make a central booking for all for the Highlands leg. Wait for confirmation from Prof. Johnson before arranging your own accommodation here.
Do not book independently yet
No hostel in Dufftown
For reference only — if self-arranging is confirmed
Fife Street, Dufftown AB55 4AP
Highly-rated small B&B in the village centre. Warm hosts, cooked breakfast. Very small capacity — books out fast.
⚠ Overnights TBC — likely part of faculty central booking
The itinerary lists overnights here as Fort Augustus or Skye (TBC) and notes faculty will likely make a central booking for the Highlands leg. The options below are for reference once the overnight locations are confirmed.
Option A — Fort Augustus
Bunoich Brae, Fort Augustus PH32 4DG
Friendly Highland lodge on the Great Glen Way. Bar, evening meals, self-catering kitchen, drying room.
Evening meals + bar
Great Glen Way
Option B — Skye (Portree)
Lisigarry Court, Portree IV51 9EW
Right in Portree village — good base for exploring Skye. Friendly staff, self-catering kitchen. Bring a warm layer; some reviews note heating inconsistencies.
Portree village centre
SYHA membership
Bring a warm layer
Glen Nevis, Fort William PH33 6SY
At the foot of Ben Nevis in a spectacular valley setting. Large kitchen, comfortable dorms, many en-suite. A favourite in the SYHA network. If arriving late, also consider Fort William Backpackers (Alma Rd) which is closer to the town centre and train station.
Stunning location
Large kitchen
4 km from town
9 Haddington Place, Edinburgh EH7 4AL
Central location, walking distance to the Royal Mile and within easy reach of bus and rail stations. On-site restaurant plus self-catering kitchen. Consistently clean and well-staffed.
Near bus & rail
Restaurant + kitchen
SYHA membership
Same options as Visit 1 — rebook if needed
104 Bolsover St, London W1W 5NU
Good central base for the Summer Shows. Arriving via train from Newcastle — London King's Cross is the terminal, a short tube or walk from here. Two nights before departing for Copenhagen on Jul 3.
24/7 kitchen
Café-bar
W1 postcode
Book separately from June stay
Alt
36 Carter Lane, London EC4V 5AB
Also a solid option for two nights. Same caveat: St Paul's Cathedral bells audible at night.
EC4 postcode
Bells at night — earplugs
Top Pick
Herholdtsgade 6, 1605 København
The standout hostel in Copenhagen — barely feels like one. Stunning lobby with pool tables and bar, heated bathroom floors, comfortable pod beds. Pool access available. Near Vesterport station. Widely praised as one of the best in Europe.
Pool + gym
Heated floors
Open 24hrs
Near Vesterport
Alt — near Tivoli
H.C. Andersens Blvd. 50, 1553 København
Classic Danhostel on the main boulevard, 10 min walk to City Hall and Tivoli. Private rooms available. Good breakfast. Luggage storage. A reliable choice for a group that wants more flexibility.
Private rooms available
Open 24hrs
Near Tivoli
Alt — social / Indre By
Vandkunsten 5, 1467 København
Dead centre of Indre By, with a lively bar and social events nightly. Best for those who want to meet people; less ideal if early nights are needed.
Indre By location
Bar & nightly events
Can be noisy late
Rönnsgatan 1, 211 47 Malmö
The best-rated option in central Malmö. Free continental breakfast, fully-equipped kitchen available to guests, beautiful inner courtyard. Short walk to Malmö Central and Triangeln stations for easy Copenhagen access on departure day.
Free breakfast
Free kitchen
Near Malmö Central
Easy CPH airport access
If you have an early flight, consider booking your final night in Copenhagen (not Malmö) so you're closer to CPH airport. Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup) is served directly by the Metro (M2 line) and trains from Copenhagen Central — about 15 minutes.
Early flights: stay in CPH the night of 9 Jul
CPH airport: Metro M2 from city centre (~15 min)
Denmark emergency: 112
If staying an extra night in CPH
Any of the Copenhagen hostels listed above work well. Steel House Copenhagen is the most convenient for a late-evening arrival from Malmö and early airport departure.