The Scottish Borders is a largely rural area to the South of Edinburgh and not normally on the ’tourist trail’. But it hosts many interesting places to visit and its highlights are easily explorable on a day tour from Edinburgh.
Each private tour is conducted in our premium Mercedes minivans, ensuring your comfort as we venture along the narrow back roads of Scotland.
Your knowledgable kilt-wearing private tour guide will tell you the stories and show you the sights on this tour. We offer flexibility and your time inside and outside the vehicle is up to you.
Searching Availability...
Tour duration
1 day (9am – 5pm)
Book direct for the best rate
You won’t find a better rate for our tours
We pick you up
We’ll collect & return you from your Edinburgh hotel, cruise port or airport
Instant confirmation
Receipt for your booking immediately
Inclusions:
- All-inclusive private tour
- Door to door service
- Dedicated private tour guide and driver
- All travel costs
- Luxury Mercedes tour van
Exclusions:
- Lunch (we can recommend a place)
- Entrance into attractions & sites
- Gratuities (optional)
KEY SIGHTS ON THIS TOUR…
We leave Edinburgh and journey south across the Lammermuir hills to the south east of the city. As we venture into the borders we first stop at Scotts View, a stunning lookout that was reputed to be one of Sir Walter Scott’s favourite views and one which gave him inspiration for his love of Scotland.
Abbotsford House
From here we travel to the home of Georgian Scots novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott at Abbotsford House. Abbotsford was designed by William Atkinson and Edward Blore in the Scottish baronial style that became popular given its combination of historical theme with modern living and was constructed between 1817 and 1824. We’ll take the tour through the public areas of Abbotsford and learn about Scott’s life here.
Melrose Abbey
From here we take the short journey to Melrose and Melrose Abbey a ruined Cistercian monastery built in the mid 12th century. Notably it is believed that the embalmed heart of Robert The Bruce’s heart is buried at Melrose although this claim has been challenged and remains a mystery to this day.
Floors Castle (option 1)
From Melrose we venture the short journey to Floors Castle by Kelso. Floors is more a country house than a fortified castle with extensive gardens and is the largest inhabited Castle in Scotland. It is the home to the Duke of Roxburghe and is an excellent example of a relatively modern 18th century mock castle overlooking the River Tweed. It is lavishly presented with rich interior finish, tapestry’s and and ornate decor.
Traquair House (option 2)
Alternatively (instead of Floors) we travel along the River Tweed to Innerleithen and the fantastic Traquair House. Scotland’s oldest continually inhabited property, the 15th century property and gardens are in as near an original state as any house in Scotland from the period. Traquair is full of interesting artefacts from the period including a library of more than 3,000 volumes and display of possessions of Mary Queen of Scots. Traquair also has its own microbrewery for those looking to pick up a souvenir or two!
Rosslyn Chapel
Having travelled back towards Edinburgh and if time permits, we will visit the 15th century Rosslyn Chapel, made famous by its mysterious links to The Knights Templar and more recently the setting for the Dan Brown Novel The Da Vinci Code and the Tom Hanks film by the same name. The Chapel is adorned by incredibly intricate stonework and the apprentices pilar carries with it a gruesome story of jealousy and murder.
We return to Edinburgh after a fantastic day off the beaten path.
SUGGESTED TOUR ROUTE…
Each tour we operate is unique and designed to your requirements. Here is an example of this tours route…
- Distance Instructions
- Distance 114.12 miles
- Time 3 h 36 min
- Speed 32 mph
- Min altitude 0 ft
- Peak 0 ft
- Climb 0 ft
- Descent 0 ft
ALL OF OUR TOURS COME COMPLETE WITH…
KILT WEARING TOUR GUIDE
We are passionate, professional and full of personality. Let us share our knowledge of Scotland
HOTEL / CRUISE BERTH PICK UP
We’ll collect & return you at the start and end of the tour
BOTTLED SCOTTISH WATER
Premium still and sparkling Scottish water is provided in glass bottles
PREMIUM MERCEDES MINIVAN
Our minivans offer luxury interiors and excellent legroom for up to 7 people and their bags
ONBOARD WIFI
Stay connected to friends and family on tour with unlimited super-fast wifi
RECENT CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS
A lovely experience. Alexander was a great guide, very knowledgeable and so polite with our children, patient, pleasant and a true gentleman. The car was great and the overall experience wonderful
Stefano D, May 2021
BRILLIANT. […] Alexander was absolutely fantastic. He was a wealth of knowledge, speaking not just about Mary Queen of Scots, but the historical period more generally
Drew F, May 2021
The guide, Alexander, is one outstanding tour guide. He is very intelligent and eager to show the best part of Scotland with his pride.
Yojiro U, September 2020
You will be able to see the highlights of Edinburgh in a day and it’s excellent way of travelling especially now because of COVID-19. He was very knowledgable and had good sense of humour.