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
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.
Sukhjit D, August 2020
Brilliant day ! Very friendly, full of knowledge! Best way in my opinion to do a tour !!
Harry S, August 2020
Although our trip was quite short we packed so much into the time we had. We will definitely do another tour on our next trip to Edinburgh.