BOTHWELL SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT!

Last weekend I attended a real magical school in the UK. Bothwell School of WItchcraft was its name, and the location was an old 15th century castle in the south of England. I'll tell you all about my personal experiences, as well as some of the events that happened there!

DISCLAIMER: Bothwell school of Witchcraft is inspired by Hogwarts, but not affiliated with it. Not even remotely, and they exist in different universes.

It all started on a rainy day, I was browsing the internet when I found a promotion for a kickstarter project, the hype immediately was there, as me and my girlfriend had really wanted to do something like this before. We now found this, and had to wait a full month for the launch of the kickstarter... Bummer! But, when it finally was time we rushed to our computer, and tried to get tickets. Within 4 minutes the minimum goal for this kickstarter was achieved, and after two hours they were sold out entirely.

The adventure began! Bothwell School of Witchcraft was going to be a LARP event, (LARP meaning Live Action Role Play) it would last for an entire weekend. The castle was ours, and our adventures could begin! We got characters written by the organisation behind Bothwell, and I was really excited to play a second-year. A few groups arose on Facebook, for players to get to know eachother, and to plan plots and such.

And then it finally was time! Noon on friday the 11th of August. A lot of eager students where waiting before the closed gate of the castle, eager to get our robes, ties, and meet people from our house! It only took a few minutes before everyone was happily talking to eachother, and then suddenly the gates opened! We walked into the courtyard, and got our stuff. 

On Friday we spent most of our time doing introductions, for clubs, people and also for our houses! Friday also was the day the first-years got sorted. An exciting evening for everyone! And then the adventure began! Classes like Falconry, Alchemy, Magical History, Magical Defence, Beastology, Runes, Daemonology & Herbology soon would start, each with an adventure of its own! As the weekend progressed, our adventure did as well. Our characters met new friends, creatures, enemies and much more. We played a complicated magical sport, called Fireball Dragon, which resembled dodgeball.

On Saturday we met a dragon, and in the evening a group of Daemons took over. After the students and Faculty helped contain them we celebrated with a banquet and a ball! Plenty of adventure was had during this event, and I definitely made friends that I will stay in touch with for times to come! People from all over the world, many difficult cultures. There were players from America, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, the UK, and much, much more!

Sunday was the hardest day... Saying goodbye, to our characters, and our new friends. Some friends that felt more like family as well. Tears were shed, as the group who left by coach drove away. Hugs were exchanged, stories were shared.

I will definitely hold onto this memory forever! It was one of the best weekends ever!