From Edinburgh: Scottish Borders Day Trip with Rosslyn Chapel
Follow the Tweed Valley route and Da Vinci Code stories with an included ticket and local guide
Journey from Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel, the 500 year old church that inspired the Da Vinci code. With ticket included, step inside to see the chapel’s dense carvings and the legends that trail behind them, from Knights Templar tales to the Da Vinci Code. The route continues through the Tweed Valley to Melrose, with time to admire the abbey ruins from outside, and finish with photo stops at the William Wallace Statue. This day trip is for travelers who want to see Scotland outside the city.
What You Get With This Tour
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Step into famous Scottish scenes
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Expert English-speaking driver-guide
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Rosslyn Chapel admission ticket
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Scenic luxury mini-coach transport
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Scottish Borders guided experience
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Tweed Valley, Melrose, William Wallace statue and more
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Guide tips
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Food and drink
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Melrose Abbey entry
Tour Itinerary
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1
Your tour begins at Edinburgh Bus Station
Meet your driver-guide inside Edinburgh Bus Station for a smooth check-in and a comfortable mini-coach ride. As the city fades behind you, the route quickly turns to open countryside and quiet villages beyond the capital. -
2
Drive to the village of Roslin
Head south through Midlothian’s green farmland toward Roslin, a small settlement wrapped in woodland and stone bridges. Along the way, your guide sets the scene for the legends, symbols, and real history that made this area famous. -
3
Explore Rosslyn Chapel’s carvings and legends
Step into 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel and study the dense stonework packed into its pillars, arches, and ceilings. Learn why stories of the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail cling to this place, and spot details that made it a star of the Da Vinci Code. -
4
Follow the Tweed Valley through the Scottish Borders
Next, travel into the Scottish Borders, where rolling hills and river bends define the landscape. Your guide shares how this calm scenery once sat on a contested frontier, shaped by centuries of skirmishes and shifting power. -
5
Pause in Melrose for lunch and abbey views
Stop in Melrose for time to eat and stretch your legs in one of the Borders’ most storybook towns. Melrose Abbey is currently closed, but you can still take in the Gothic ruins from outside and hear the legends tied to the famous warrior king, Robert the Bruce’s heart. -
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See the William Wallace Statue
Then pull up at the eccentric William Wallace Statue, standing watch over the countryside for more than 200 years. It’s a quick stop for photos, fresh air, and a reminder of the heroes that loom large in Scotland’s national story. -
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Your tour ends at Edinburgh Bus Station
Return to central Edinburgh in the late afternoon with plenty of time left for dinner plans or a museum visit. Your driver-guide confirms the approximate arrival time as you head back into the city streets. -
8
Take in the panorama at Scott’s View
After that, climb out for Scott’s View, a classic Borders lookout loved by Sir Walter Scott. The wide sweep of river, hills, and patchwork fields explains the obsession in one glance, especially on a clear day.
Additional Information
Discover what to expect, what’s included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Weather advisory: Scotland’s weather can change quickly, so plan for wind and rain even on mild days.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, the coach is not wheelchair accessible. You must be able to board and exit the vehicle independently or with help from a travel companion. If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact us in advance so we can prepare the proper accommodations.
Age requirement: Children must be at least 5 years old at the time of travel. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Child seating: Booster seats are available upon request for children under 1.35 m (about 4 ft 5 in).
Service animals: Highly trained service and assistance dogs are welcome by prior arrangement only. Please confirm suitability and availability before booking, as space is limited.
Admission tickets: Rosslyn Chapel admission is included in the tour price. Melrose Abbey is closed until further notice, so you won’t be able to access the interior.
Luggage allowance: You are restricted to 20 kg (44 lb) of luggage per person. This should be one carry-on-size bag (about 55 x 45 x 25 cm / 22 x 17 x 10 in) plus a small personal item for onboard use.
Tour changes: If your tour departs on a Sunday, the itinerary operates in reverse.
Check-in: Please be at the meeting point 15 minutes before departure for check-in.
Your 7-hour day trip includes:
Expert English-speaking driver-guide
Transport by luxury 16-seat mini-coach
Scottish broders day trip
Rosslyn Chapel admission ticket
Off-the-beaten-track locations
Scott’s View, William Wallace statue, Melrose and more!
What to bring:
Valid ID
Comfortable walking shoes
Weather-appropriate layers
Waterproof jacket
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tour family friendly?
Yes, for families with children aged five and up. Keep in mind it’s a full day with multiple stops and some walking on uneven paths at locations like The Hermitage.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
Unfortunately, the coach is not wheelchair accessible, and you must be able to board and exit the vehicle independently or with help from a travel companion. The day also includes uneven terrain and some steps at viewpoints; if you have questions, contact us in advance to discuss what to expect.
Are Melrose Abbey and Rosslyn Chapel included?
Admission to Rosslyn Chapel is included in the tour (free entry for children escorted by an adult). Unfortunately, Melrose Abbey is closed until further notice, so you won’t be able to access the interior, and entry is not included.
Does this tour run if it rains?
Yes. Scotland’s weather can change quickly, so come prepared with layers and a waterproof jacket for wind and rain.
Can I bring luggage?
Yes. You’re restricted to 20 kg (44 lb) per person, in 1 carry-on-size bag plus a small personal item, and you must be able to lift and carry your own luggage without assistance.
Is food included?
Food and drink are not included, but you’ll have time to buy lunch during your stop in Pitlochry.
