Journey to the frontier of ancient Rome on this full-day tour of Hadrian’s Wall and the Scottish borders from Edinburgh. First up is a tour of the 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel, famously featured in ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and renowned for its mysterious stone carvings and unique architecture. After lunch (not included), stop at Melrose Abbey, the burial site of King Robert the Bruce’s heart, and look out over the English border from Cheviot Hills, before walking along the UNESCO-listed Hadrian’s Wall.

Full-day tour of Hadrian’s Wall and the Borders from Edinburgh
Learn the legends of the 'Da Vinci Code' at mysterious Rosslyn Chapel
Visit Melrose Abbey, the market town of Jedburgh and the Cheviot Hills lookout
Explore the UNESCO-listed Hadrian’s Wall, the northernmost border of the Roman Empire
Travel by air-conditioned Mercedes minivan
Great choice for history buffs!

What's Included

Very small group tour - average group size of around 12 passengers
Live commentary on board
Local guide
Driver/guide
Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes mini-coach

Food and drinks
Gratuities
Attraction Entrance Fees

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Waterloo Place
Waterloo Pl, Edinburgh EH1, UK
This tour departs from (and returns to) Bus Stand ZE, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3BQ (opposite Howie's Restaurant). Please arrive no later than 08.30.

Start time

08:30 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Rosslyn Chapel

1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Melrose Abbey

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Carter Bar

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Housesteads Roman Fort - Hadrian's Wall

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Jedburgh Abbey

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Very small group tour - average group size of around 12 passengers
Not wheelchair accessible
Minimum age is 5 years old
Service animals allowed
Children must be accompanied by an adult

Operates in all weather conditions (unless it is unsafe to do so), please dress appropriately
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
Please inform us 7 days in advance if you are bringing a service animal
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Kirsty_J

Keith was s fab tour guide. He was humorous snd friendly. His knowledge about Scotland is great. The sites we visited were just beautiful. Highly recommended this tour.

Reviews

5.0

537 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 537 reviews

Good Tour and Long Day

Dee, Sep 2023

Be prepared for a long day's drive. The Rosslyn Chapel was a highlight. Don't pass up paying for the admission. The inside was really nice to see and they gave a very informative talk. The Jedburgh Abbey ruins were interesting. The cost for admission was nominal - a senior was 3 pounds. Hadrian's Wall was nice to see. We stopped at the Homestead Fort. There is a long walk uphill to get to the Wall. Some were not able to do this, but I believe the tour guide ran them ti another location not far that was more accessible. We did not pay to enter the fort or the museum but walked up the hill and along the fort where you were able to walk along side and on top for a small portion of the wall. We saw many hikers that were following the path along the wall there. The weather was perfect for walking the day we went. The tour guide made plenty of comfort stops which was nice to stretch and use the facilities. It was a good tour but a long day.

History and Beautiful Landscapes Abundant

Terry_M, Sep 2023

I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. The landscape was beautiful, crossed the Scotland/England borders, and the historical significance of the Rosslyn Chapel, Abby in Melrose, and Hadrian’s Wall was impressive. I touched the stone where Bruce’s heart was laid to rest, Roman ruins from 112 AD, and loved the history of the apprentice column. There was lots of out of bus time and much more history along the way.

very good guide who...

William_W, Sep 2023

very good guide who worked hard to make it an educational and memorable experience. particularly enjoyed Rosslyn chapel.

There and Back Again

Gordon_E, Sep 2023

What wonderful things to see in the countries of Scotland and England. I have always loved the history of the many kingdoms of the British Isle's and this tour covered a lot of that from all sorts of different periods. I highly recommed a longer time in Rosslyn chapel as there is so much to see and ponder on.

Magnificent Scottish country and historic tour

Allan_A, Sep 2023

It was a great day out seeing all the historical sights and getting information from a local and knowledgeable guide.

Very goid

Lubica_P, Aug 2023

Very good trip very good organist I had very good time I can't remember the name of the driver but he was excellent thanks

Magnificent history, excellent guide, come prepared.

Kayla_M, Aug 2023

Rosslyn Chapel--The time in the chapel with the presentation was wonderful. We were appreciative that our driver (Euan) said very little about the Chapel and allowed the docent to do the talking. It was such a memorable experience from the outside to in with the beauty of the sandstone capturing our attention along with all the carvings on the outside to the intricate details inside that we could have spent days looking at. The time given to us to explore was also enough to quench our thirst but leaving us wanting more to drink. I believe there were several from our group who planned on returning on their own the next day simply because they enjoyed the Chapel so much. Melrose Abbey--Euan did a phenomenal job talking about the history of Melrose on our drive. He brought the story of Robert the Bruce to life for us, giving context to what we were about to see. Euan is a phenomenal storyteller and kept our attention the drive there. When we disembarked from our bus we had ample time to order lunch for takeaway and head over to the Abbey for pictures and a walkabout. We could not get into the Abbey itself but we were able to walk the grounds and read about life in the Abbey and explore the cemetery and discover carvings on the outer walls. The ruins are beautiful in their own right and there is much to feast your eyes as you walk and read. Hadrian's Wall and Roman Fort Ruins--While the walk from the parking lot to the ruins and wall is long and uphill, it is worth making the trek even if you don't go into the fort itself. You can still see ample of the fort and the walk to the wall is well worth missing going into the fort. Again, there was ample time to explore both if you wanted, but we chose to simply enjoy the sight of the wall and the walk to and from on the paths. Know before you go, the ruins and the wall is in the midst of a sheep pasture and so you will navigate human beings, live animals and the evidence of their presence within the fields themselves. Wear good gripping shoes because the walk to the wall is through grass and can be slippery due to the mist/rain that falls in England. Be sure to understand that you will be spending the majority of your day in a vehicle, but it's well worth it.

Great tour

sshamil511, Aug 2023

Great tour, but the back of the bus was horribly rough. Driver was very knowledgeable on the trip, and the music was wonderful. He could have given a better warning of the sights that were coming up and slowed a little so pictures could be taken

Rich history, small group, worth the time!

Kayla_M, Aug 2023

From the very beginning, a smaller group size allowed for connection to happen very quickly. There were only ten on the trip which made the logistics of visiting each location more manageable. (We weren't navigating around 50 people at the site.) Our first stop was Rosslyn Chapel and since the location itself had a guided tour, our guide Euan gave very general but helpful instructions and left us to explore. The time allotted was enough for us to not feel rushed without taking so long that we didn't have time for the other places. Visiting the chapel itself, was an unforgettable experience and we could sit all day and look at the carvings and still not see them all. The docent did a phenomenal job giving the history of the chapel and told amusing anecdotes that brought the history of the chapel alive and made the people involved in the chapel more real. She also pointed out significant carvings with multiple layers of meaning and invited us to interpret the symbols in whichever way made sense for our understanding. We then moved on to Melrose Abbey. This was the stop where we were able to eat lunch and wander the Abbey grounds. Euan drove around the town showing us where toilets were located and various places where we could get eat in or takeaway lunches. He recommended that we order from the cafe closest to the Abbey and tell them we were with The Little Red Bus tours and that we would be back near our departure time to pickup our lunch for takeaway. This worked out perfectly for us as we had plenty of time to walk the Abbey grounds (the Abbey itself is blocked off so we were unable to go in), take pictures and marvel over the history. We were then able to pick up our lunch and eat on the bus which was a bonus. Finally we made it to the ruins of the Roman Fort and Hadrian's Wall. We didn't realize the walk to the wall was as far as it was, but it is well worth going and exploring through the sheep fields. I would not recommend this for people with mobility issues. (I have osteoarthritis in one of my hips and my friend has a plate and screws in her leg and we were able to do this, but it took quite a bit of time and energy. So being forewarned is being forearmed.) It was also very slick in the grass and the path due to the wonderful Scottish weather, so again, be careful! Yet as I said it is well worth the walk and taking the time to go to see. The drive was long but Euan did a great job of sharing bits of history and also gave space for relaxation. Worth the time and money to see!

Wonderful long day.

Elizabeth_L, Aug 2023

Great time! There were 7-8 of us on this adventure. Allan was a great host, very knowledgeable and personable. He gave us plenty of time to explore and entertained us with historical information between stops. He was punctual and answered all of our questions. I would definitely use ‘The Wee Red Bus’ again and welcome Allan as a guide. We went to Roslyn Chapel, Melrose Abbey, Housesteads Roman Fort & Hadrian’s Wall as well as stopping several times to stretch our legs. It rained off and on, but we still had a great day.

Outstanding driver / guide, outstanding locations

Charles_N, Aug 2023

Contrary to our tour with Timberbush, the tour with Heart of Scotland was fantastic. Starting off, my wife and I had challenges meeting the guide at the designated initial spot (our fault completely), and the company was highly responsive in finding an alternative - which ended up working very well. The Rosslyn Chapel was an outstanding site and while our time there was truncated, we managed to get in some very insightful touring - thanks to our guide. Angela was just outstanding. She immediately caught her wayward participants, gave us the quick version of Rosslyn for want of time, and made sure we got at least some of what we paid for there. She not only was highly informative, she was friendly, professional, attentive, safe in her driving, and efficient - important given the time restrained nature of the tour. She talked through much of the long drives and played tasteful music to accent certain places and historical occurences. The "Wee Red Bus" was a perfect way to enjoy the tour with only seven other passengers. The Wall was, for me, a top line item and while we could've spent the entire day there, we managed nicely with the time given. I would highly recommend the tour and Angela for anyone interested. Lastly, I have to say I left my backpack on the bus after the end of the tour. I reported this and lamely asked if there were any way I could get it; the company responded quickly, reported that Angela had it, and since she lived not far from my hotel, she could drop it off on her way home - which she then did. Above and beyond for such a simple thing - and highly appreciated.

Excellent tour!

Carol_S, Jul 2023

Rosslyn chapel was surprising and magnificent. Our tour guide, Angela, was lively and interesting, responsive to questions, and we liked the musical interludes. Our visit to Housestead Fort on Hadrian’s wall was a magnificent thing to tick off our collective bucket list. The drive through rural Scotland and the borderlands was beautiful.

Such a fantastic tour!

Svetla_N, Jul 2023

Angela is the best guide. We had plenty of time to explore the sites. Every minute of the trip was worth it. Thank you!!!

Awesome driver / great tour

DennisStaginnus, Jul 2023

Angela was an awesome driver/tour guide. She had stories throughout the entire journey and with a soundtrack to go along with each one. Lots of time at each attraction gave you a full experience. I would highly recommend.

Fair Enough

Ana_B, Jun 2023

good tour guide. On time, we stopped at beautiful sites. I only wish I had some more time by the wall.

was "in it" for Rosslyn

Vicki_G, Jun 2023

I usually choose a tour for one of the sights and the other ones happen as they may. Though my main focus, Rosslyn Chapel, did not disappoint, I must say that Hadrian's Wall was an incredible experience, as well. I'm very glad to have seen what I did, and I learned a lot. The guide, Angela, made the long day a great experience and had great historical knowledge. There was much driving, and on some small roads, but never was it scary. Well, maybe the wild goats around the bend startled me a bit, but wildlife on a roadway always does. I recommend this tour!

Amazing

AnneMichelle_G, May 2023

Rosalyn Chapel. Guide was very friendly and efficient .. helpful to everyone on tour. He was very accommodating

Wonderful

Uli_B, May 2023

I had always wanted to go to Roslyn chapel so it was a great experience. The scenery is beautiful and Hadrians wall was a extra bonus for us. Our tour guide Angela was absolutely super. Very friendly and helpful and also very knowledgeable and entertaining. She made a long day go by fast and we learned a lot. Would absolutely recommend this tour.

Great to see Hadrian's wall

Dawn_L, May 2023

Overall fantastic and good value compared to hiring a car. The only thing I missed out on was the ancient carvings near Rosslyn Chapel (no time for both the carvings and the chapel.

Fantastic guide and...

Neil_G, May 2023

Fantastic guide and friendly people made for a wonderful day. Our guide not only had a great knowledge of the places we were visiting but also of general history. She put them both together beautifully. Thanks for the experience.

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