Things to do in

Scottish Borders

On this 9.5-hour excursion from Edinburgh you’ll visit the picturesque town of Coldsream and the inspiring Bamburgh Castle. But it’s Alnwick Castle that’s the main destination of the day. It’s been a key filming location for Harry Potter and Downton Abbey and is a historic location in its own right. You’ll leave Edinburgh at 08:15 in the morning and head east to the Scottish Borders. Along the way, you’ll have views of gently rolling hills and dramatic coastlines. The first stop is the beautiful coastal town Bamburgh. Take a stroll to the stunning beach and view the dramatic 5th-century Bamburgh Castle sitting on a natural throne of volcanic dolerite. In the afternoon you’ll visit Alnwick Castle. Admire the large stately rooms and the stunning architecture or learn a little about all the popular films and TV shows that have been filmed at the site, including Harry Potter. After spending time in Alnwick, you will make your way back over the border and in to Scotland. The final stop is the border town of Coldstream that lies on the north side of the River Tweed. Hear about the turbulent past of this charming town before your journey ends in Edinburgh in the early evening.

Discover the myths and legends surrounding the Holy Grail and Rosslyn Chapel on this small-group tour! You'll also visit the beautiful Borders village of Melrose with its historic abbey. Departing at 9:45 AM, your tour takes you south to the world-famous Scott’s View, with stunning views over the Tweed Valley and the Eildon Hills. You will also get the opportunity to visit the original Wallace Monument. From here you travel to Melrose, including the chance to explore its great Border Abbey, founded by the Cistercians in the 12th Century. The Cistercian monks had very close connections with the Knights Templar and Melrose Abbey is the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart, brought back from the crusades in Moorish Spain. Following lunch in Melrose, you will make your way to the stunning 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel, immortalized in Dan Brown’s “Da Vinci Code”. Here, you can find out more about the myths and legends surrounding the whereabouts of the “Holy Grail”. From Melrose, you will return to Edinburgh, arriving at approximately 4:15 PM.

Explore the borderlands of Scotland and England during this full-day tour from Edinburgh. Stop at the charming town of Kelso, where you can explore this handsome town and what is thought to be Scotland’s largest market square. You also see the ruins of Kelso Abbey, a reminder of the many ancient conflicts between Scotland and England. Follow the ancient Roman Dere Street that connected Scottish Caledonia with Roman Britannia through the Scottish Borders. Stop at the charming town of Melrose, home to the remains of the Cistercian Abbey and the burial place of the heart of Scottish king Robert the Bruce. Cross the border and travel to thousand-year-old Alnwick Castle, one of the great castles of Northumberland. Originally built to protect the north of England from Scottish Border Reivers and invaders, more recently Alnwick Castle and its perfectly manicured gardens have found fame as one of the settings for the fictional Hogwarts School in the Harry Potter movie series. After around 3 hours at Alnwick, travel north along the stunning Northumberland Coast. You stop on your way back to Edinburgh at one of the beautiful historic villages or castles that pepper the rolling landscapes of Southern Scotland.

On this full‐day tour you’ll journey south across the Scottish border into England. As you head south you’ll hear all about the historic rivalry between Scotland and England while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Borders. Your first stop will be at The Hirsel, a country house and estate where you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy some homemade treats. The tour continues with a 1-hour stop at the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, a tidal island off the northeast coast of England. Lindisfarne is internationally known both for its medieval religious heritage and also its picturesque 16th-century castle. Alnwick Castle is the second-largest inhabited castle in the UK and has been home to the Percys, the Duke of Northumberland’s family, for over 700 years. In recent years it has also played starring roles in a number of film and television productions, featuring as Brancaster Castle in Downton Abbey’s 2014 Christmas special and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter films. You’ll have approximately 2.5 hours at Alnwick to explore the castle and the gardens and to have lunch. You can explore a Downton Abbey exhibition, featuring photography, costumes, and props from the filming. Enjoy relaxing music on board during your enjoyable ride back to Edinburgh.

Travel through the Scottish Lowlands and Borders on an enjoyable day-tour. See the varied natural wonders that make this section of Scotland famous. See historic sites and sample real Scottish whisky as you travel with a friendly and knowledgeable guide! Your tour will head out from Edinburgh Castle to the lovely village of Roslin. There, you will have the opportunity to visit Rosslyn Chapel. Dating back to 1445, the chapel gained worldwide fame thanks to the increasing interest in Freemasonry and the Knights Templar. See the intricate “musical” boxes and green men carved throughout the chapel. Leave Roslin and continue your journey into the heart of the Scottish Borders in the eastern part of the Scottish Uplands. This area is rich in hills, valleys, rivers, and moorland, as is also the traditional home of Scottish rugby. Travel to the historic town of Melrose, the birthplace of the game of Rugby Sevens and home to of Melrose Abbey. The Abbey, founded in 1136, is one of the most beautiful religious ruins in the United Kingdom, containing many intricate carved sculptures. It is also said to be the burial place of the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce. Enjoy a tasty lunch in Melrose and have plenty of free time to explore the town and the abbey. Before heading back to Edinburgh you will have to option to explore the home of Sir Walter Scott - Abbotsford House.

Visit intriguing Rosslyn Chapel, explore the town of Melrose, journey to the Scottish Borders, and see Hadrian’s Wall on this full-day tour from Edinburgh. Rosslyn Chapel has always been mysterious, and has achieved worldwide fame since the publication of The Da Vinci Code. This beautiful and highly ornate 15th-century chapel has long been the subject of speculation about its origins and the meanings of its famous stone carvings. Visit the charming town of Melrose for lunch, then cross the ancient Scotland/England border at Carter Bar. Follow in the footsteps of feuding clans and families, known as Border Reivers, who fought a series of violent raids here until the end of the 16th century. Then visit one of the world's most important Roman monuments: Hadrian’s Wall. Travel to Housesteads Fort (National Trust) in Northumberland National Park, the best preserved Roman fort along Hadrian’s Wall. Enjoy a free nature walk along one of the most dramatic and photographed stretches of the wall. Upon returning to Edinburgh, stop in the Border market town of Jedburgh to stretch your legs and take photos of the famous abbey.

Your full-day tour begins in Edinburgh and continues further south through the Scottish Borders, where you’ll stop at Melrose Abbey. This is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful ruins in Europe. The heart of Robert the Bruce is said to be buried at the Abbey, which is also the final resting place of a number of other Scottish Kings. From here it's on to England, where you'll have lots of time to explore the tour’s main attraction, Alnwick Castle. Alnwick is the 2nd-largest inhabited castle in England, having been lived in for over 700 years. It’s filled with fascinating things to see and mysteries to uncover. You may recognize it as a location from some of the Harry Potter films.

The Scottish Borders are loved for its rolling hills with stunning views, where every turn will take your breath away. Travel on the tour route at a relaxed pace, as there is no rush to bring you back from this amazing tour unless you have to leave. Do not forget that during the tour you are not led, you lead and the tour is yours. This is a flexible tour, which can be adapted and changed according to your interests. If you can’t look at another castle during the trip, skip one attraction to see another. If you want to stay in one place for longer, it is completely up to you. We are a small tour company and although we have guides who speak Portuguese, Italian, Polish and other languages, we do not have an army of them, but we have very few. So before you book please contact us regarding our availability to guide you in your language. If you contact us before you book, we will be able to confirm that we have or have not a guide which speaks your language for the date you wish to book. So please do not book before checking with us to avoid disappointment. Cheers, Cheers,

Depart from Edinburgh in the morning and travel to NB Distillery. This gin producer launched in 2013 with a mission to develop the perfect gin. Taste it yourself and find out whether they have accomplished their goal. The tour continues up the east coast to North Berwick, one of the most beautiful seaside villages of East Lothian. Browse the artisan shops in the village and enjoy lunch in one of the local restaurants. Leave the coastline and arrive at Glenkinchie Distillery, nestled in a peaceful glen. Founded in 1825, the distillery languished in obscurity for over 150 years before becoming an international brand at the end of the 1980s. Find out how the distillery became such a success and sample their Malt Whiskies. From here, it's a short drive back to Edinburgh, through golden wheat and barley fields.

Hadrian’s Wall, the monumental defensive fortification built in 122 A. D. in order to safeguard the Roman Empire, is one of the most important historical sites in Britain. Led by an expert guide, discover an ancient land brimming with beauty, and learn about the history of Roman Britain in this full-day tour. Choose from a pickup point in Windermere, Bowness, or Ambleside and begin the drive through the heart of the lakes taking in the fabulous scenery whilst heading towards the Scottish borders.  Follow Hadrian’s Wall past Mile Castles and Towers finally reaching the Roman Army Museum. You will stop here for a spot of lunch and take a look around. Afterwards continue walking along the wall taking in the spectacular sites of Fell End, Sunny Rigg, Great Chester, and eventually Steel Rigg. Return to the Lakes via Alston, England’s highest market town. Stop for a and view the Cumbrian Mountains from Hartside Pass.