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.
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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. From here we travel to his stately home and now preserved living museum at Abbotsford House.
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.
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.
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. It has been rumoured that a crucifixion cross buried under the chapel is the cross that Jesus was killed on and that the head of Jesus, the holy grail, and the knights Templar themselves may all be hidden under the floor of this mysterious and majestic attraction.
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 117.04 miles
- Time 3 h 42 min
- Speed 32 mph
- Min altitude 0 ft
- Peak 0 ft
- Climb 0 ft
- Descent 0 ft
RECENT CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS
This was the best day of guided adventure ever! Thank you, Experienced Tours, for treatings us like friends and giving us great memories.
Paul S, January 2020
Our tour guide did not miss a beat… thankful that Experienced Tours is now our – Gold, Platinum, Titanium standard!
Regina H, January 2020
Very friendly guy, great sense of humor, but more importantly, seemingly knows everything about the country he loves.
Patrick M, January 2020
Sean was our travel expert and he was very knowledgeable. He is wonderful guide, safe driver and avid historian