Scottish Agricultural College

Aberdeen: The best of both worlds, city life and rural bliss – the campus is just 5 miles from the city centre, on the beautiful Craibstone Estate. Courses include agriculture, leisure with sport and recreation, countryside management, rural business management and sustainable environmental management. Also range of postgraduate courses (eg organic farming). Staff/student relations are good; class sizes reasonably small so lecturers know you by name. Students from all courses and years mix well and enjoy range of events organised by student representative council (eg fundraising, Torcher parade, ceilidhs, discos, games nights etc). Excellent library on campus and access to Aberdeen University library and sporting facilities. Exceptional computer facilities can be accessed 24 hours/day. 18-hole golf course, all-weather 5-a-side pitch, gym and sauna on campus. Aberdeen is the only SAC campus with a bar on site − very popular with students for starting the night off before heading into town. City has plenty of things to do: good shopping, ice-skating, ten-pin bowling, cinemas and swimming pools. Surrounding countryside is beautiful and great for hill-walking, climbing, winter sports, history tours, game and sea fishing.

Ayr: It’s approximately 3 miles from the centre of Ayr, on the west coast of Scotland. Wide range of land-based courses – adventure tourism, countryside management, food technology, horticulture and agriculture – majority available from diploma to degree level. Environment is friendly and relaxed and enhanced by approachable staff and students. Study facilities more than adequate (computer labs, vast range of books in library). Accommodation all self-catering on campus, ranging from main halls of residence (Wilson Hall, with around 100 rooms) to self-catering cottages. Active SRC, based in the Cronin building, expresses views of students, arranges entertainments in campus bar and helps to keep student morale at all-time high. Also arranges all the sports and some of the societies, and always on hand to help with any queries or problems. Students can join the well-equipped gym in the Cronin building; Wednesday afternoons are free for sports and social activities. As members of BUCS, SUSF and NUS there is plenty to do.  

Edinburgh: It’s 4 miles south of the city centre, on the Edinburgh University science site (King’s Building), and a great place to live and study. The city is steeped in history and culture; and there are some great pubs and clubs to complement student life (particularly Wednesday night, when city is alive with students). Agricultural society is at the hub of SAC social life, with a full social calendar – stock-judging nights, weekends in Dublin, a bad-taste night and annual black-tie ball. SAC students can join all Edinburgh Uni sports clubs; also has own sports teams (rugby, hockey, football), which train once/twice a week and compete in leagues. SAC has diversified from straight agriculture; courses now include rural resource management, environmental protection, horticulture with plantmanship and garden design – all developed in consultation with industry. Friendships easily formed and support can be found in many forms, from fellow students and from academic and education staff.

Aberdeen: Housing: Self-catering halls, mostly for first years – bright, well sized rooms, mainly ensuite. Internet/TV optional. Most then prefer to move on to privately-owned accommodation (look in local paper, letting agents, noticeboards). Eats: Grab-and-go all day on campus, plus hot meal in evenings. Large selection of pubs, fast food and hotels near campus and in town. Drink: SAC Aberdeen bar, Aberdeen Uni SU, The Bobbin, Enigma, Hogshead, Slains Castle, Triple Kirks etc. Nightlife: Agricultural Society (SAC and Aberdeen Uni students) organise ceilidhs, dances, annual ball, pub quizzes and crawls. In town, O'Neills, Ministry, Priory, Espionage, Kef and Liquid. Locals: All very friendly; large student population. Sports: University facilities; city centre sports clubs. Football and newly-formed rugby team. Jobs: Many students have part-time jobs eg local shops, bars; some work for SAC staff on research; regular updates on noticeboards.

Ayr: Housing: Cheap, cheerful and a good choice. Eats: Wide choice of college food and takeaways nearby. Drink: Student bar with regular events. Nightlife: Only 5-minute journey to Ayr, range of pubs and clubs. Annual ball. Travel: Prestwick airport – 5 minutes away by car, Troon Seacat terminal – 15 minutes. Regular buses pass college entrance; Glasgow under an hour by train from Ayr.

Edinburgh: Housing: First years can be housed in Edinburgh Uni halls (Pollock Halls); private thereafter (look in The Scotsman or through agencies). Eats: Meals on campus reasonable; vending machines, shops and canteens on site. Lots of good, reasonable Indian restaurants locally. Drink: SU bar cheapest. Local places quite reasonable. Nightlife: Union organises various ents. Occasional local bands and student nights at local clubs. Best features: Social life – Wednesday night, without a doubt! And worst: Thursday mornings.

Aberdeen:   Doddie Weir (Scotland rugby player). 

Ayr:   Sheila Swan (curling), Jim McColl (Beechgrove Garden). 

Aberdeen:  

Contact SU on tel 01224 711189.

Ayr:   

Contact SRC President on tel 01292 525170.