The Scottish Borders Private Day Tour: Rosslyn Chapel, Abbotsford, & Melrose Abbey

Tours from £830 per group of 1-6 pax.

START: Your guide will meet you with their vehicle at your Edinburgh accommodation at 09:00.

FINISH: At the end of the tour your guide will drop you off at your Edinburgh accommodation at approximately 17:30.

DISCOVER ON THIS TOUR

ROSSLYN CHAPEL

We begin our tour at Rosslyn Chapel, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture shrouded in mystery and lore. Completed in the fifteenth century, weekly services are still held here today. The chapel is best known internationally for its prominent role in the book and film The Da Vinci Code, but we will discover that there are yet more legends and myths associated with this ancient and secretive building.

PEEBLES

Our next stop is Peebles, a quintessential Scottish Borders town nestled along the banks of the river Tweed and brimming with charm and character. Renowned for its picturesque settings and rich cultural heritage, Peebles welcomes us with a taste of local Scottish life. The town’s high street, lined with shops, cafes, and galleries, reflects a vibrant community spirit echoed in its scenic walks, historic buildings, and welcoming atmosphere.

ABBOTSFORD HOUSE

We continue on to the castle-like former residence of Sir Walter Scott, taking a step back in time to the world of this renowned Scottish author. Entering his magnificent estate, we take in both its beautifully landscaped gardens and its stunning architecture inspired by Gothic, Elizabethan, and Scottish Baronial styles. Inside, we explore a treasure trove of historical artifacts, personal belongings, and Scott’s impressive library full of rare books covering almost every subject written about in the nineteenth century.

MELROSE ABBEY

Next we come to Melrose Abbey, an ancient and awe-inspiring ruin with graceful Gothic lines standing testament to the monastic community that once thrived here. Founded in the twelfth century, the abbey’s ruins tell stories of faith but also of raids, rebuilding and the Borders’ generally turbulent past.

As we walk through the old hallowed halls, we take a closer look at the lavish – and surprising! – stone carvings by master masons of the past. We also discover what is thought to be the final resting place of the heart of Robert the Bruce, who led Scotland to victory against the English after the execution of Scottish national hero William Wallace.

SCOTT’S VIEW

We finish our tour at one of the most iconic vistas in the Scottish Borders, a landscape that famously captured the heart of author Sir Walter Scott. Overlooking the meandering River Tweed and the rolling Eildon Hills, this viewpoint encapsulates the tranquil beauty and grandeur of the Borders. Fittingly named “Scott’s View”, here we will enjoy a serene moment in gorgeous Scottish countryside before making our way back to Edinburgh.

TOUR LANGUAGES

This private tour is available in the following languages:

• English
• French
• German
• Italian
• Russian
• Spanish

Other languages may be available on request. Visit our website to see our full range of private tours of Scotland.