11 Scottish Borders Day Trips from Edinburgh We Would Book Again

1.Rosslyn Chapel and Scottish Borders Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 673 reviews · 6 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $47Our pick

Small-group day trip from Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel and the Scottish Borders, with a Mercedes mini-coach, expert guide, and medieval sights.

“The tour is about 7 hours long and involves a lot of driving. The driver will point out sites but you won’t be stopping to visit. The highlight is Rosslyn Chapel. I wish there was a shorter tour that featured only the chapel for a longer visit there. Our guide, Ally P., was entertaining, educational, and energetic.”

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2.Rosslyn Chapel & Scottish Borders Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 620 reviews · 7 hours · from $38Best value

7-hour Rosslyn Chapel and Scottish Borders day tour from Edinburgh. See Holy Grail myths, Tweed Valley views, Melrose Abbey, and Wallace.

“Excellent guide with lots of historical information…in chronological order! ROSSLYN CHAPEL is amazing Enjoyed the talk there and all the hidden symbolism”

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3.Hadrian’s Wall & The Borders Tour from Edinburgh Incl. Admission

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 607 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $72Top rated

Small-group day trip from Edinburgh to Hadrian’s Wall, Jedburgh, Carter Bar, Steel Rigg, and Vindolanda, with museum entry included.

“Beautiful countryside. Hadrian's Wall is a marvel to see thousands of years later. Chaz is a great tour guide. Informative, fun. Recommend this tour.”

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4.Harry Potter’s Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 431 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $88

Day trip from Edinburgh to Bamburgh and Alnwick Castles plus Coldstream, with Potter filming sites, sea views, and guided coach comfort.

“Connor was fantastic! So funny and knowledgeable. Highly recommend if you are a Harry Potter fan or simply a Scotland /England castle lover.”

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5.Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 209 reviews · 9.5 hours · from $129

Alnwick Castle, Kelso, and the Anglo-Scottish border country from Edinburgh, with Harry Potter sights and Northumberland coast views.

“Jim Scott was an awesome guide! He was funny, entertaining, and made the trip exciting. He actually educated us as well. The best part of the trip was the unexpected parts of the trip - walking across the River Tweed, stopping at the Abbey in Kelso and most definitely stopping and seeing Bamburg Castle and the coastline! That view was worth the money!!!”

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6.Rosslyn Chapel, the Borders & Glenkinchie Distillery

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 173 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $66

From Edinburgh, tour Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose Abbey grounds, and Glenkinchie Distillery with live commentary and time to explore.

“Excellent tours. Great guide. Outstanding opportunity to get out of Edinburgh and see the borders. Only issue we had was feeling rushed in some of the areas - trying to stay on a tight schedule. Lorna from Timberbush was a delight.”

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7.Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 172 reviews · 9.5 hours · from $68

Day trip from Edinburgh to Bamburgh, Coldstream, and **Alnwick Castle** with Harry Potter filming vibes, optional castle entry, and scenic coast views.

“The trip was wonderful and we so enjoyed our day. Our guide, Cara, was an excellent storyteller. She was knowledgeable about Scotland’s history and folklore. The coach was comfortable and we felt well taken care of and given options for how to spend our time. The castles were lovely and intriguing and we really enjoyed the scenery on the drive. I would definitely recommend this tour. It was a beautiful experience.”

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8.1 Day Alnwick Castle, Holy Island & Scottish Borders

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $82

A full day from Edinburgh to Holy Island, Alnwick Castle, and more, timed around the tide and guided with lively Scottish stories.

“Going to island 🏝. Before the high tide. The driver was excellent and very knowledgeable regarding the story of Scotland.”

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9.Alnwick Castle, Northumberland & Scottish Borders 1-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · 10 hours · from $79

10-hour Northumberland and Scottish Borders day: Holy Island at low tide, Viking Bamburgh views, and Alnwick broomstick wizard lessons.

“Nice selection of locations we visited and our guide Pete was a blast!”

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10.Stone & Story: Rosslyn Chapel & Melrose Abbey Private Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $530

Private day trip from Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel and Melrose Abbey, plus Scott’s Abbotsford and Dryburgh Abbey with guided pickup.

“Sean was a wonderful driver and a very knowledgeable tour guide. The trip was well planned but flexible with interesting detours and amble time at each destination. It was wonderful to leave the city and into the beautiful Scottish countryside with a local. We highly recommend this trip!”

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11.Alnwick Castle & The Borders Hogwarts Filming Location

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $87

Small-group day trip from Edinburgh to Bamburgh and Alnwick Castle, the Hogwarts filming location, with border history and seaside views.

“Alnwick castle has lots of different shows that go on all day. Enjoyed seeing the different hunting birds in action and where they were used.”

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