Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose & Glenkinchie Distillery Tour

Rosslyn Chapel's walls hold thousands of ancient carvings, each one a separate story carved into stone.

This full-day guided tour from Edinburgh visits three landmarks of Scottish history and culture: Rosslyn Chapel, known for its intricate stone carvings and Knights Templar legends; Melrose Abbey, founded in 660 and said to hold the heart of Robert the Bruce; and Glenkinchie Distillery, the Lowland home of Johnnie Walker whisky. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, live commentary from a knowledgeable driver-guide, and lunch time in Melrose. Children from age 4 are welcome; those under 8 cannot enter the distillery. The tour departs from NCP Castle Terrace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose, and Glenkinchie

• Depart from Edinburgh Castle
• Visit Rosslyn Chapel and learn legends
• Travel to Melrose town
• Lunch and explore Melrose Abbey area
• Enjoy Borders scenery en route
• Tour Glenkinchie Distillery
• Optional whisky tasting at Glenkinchie

The Experience

The tour leaves Edinburgh Castle and heads south into the Borders, stopping first at Rosslyn Chapel in the village of Roslin. The chapel's interior is covered in thousands of carved stone figures—animals, plants, geometric patterns, faces—each one placed deliberately into the walls over centuries. The carvings have drawn attention worldwide, especially after appearing in Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code," but the chapel's real draw is the sheer density of medieval craftsmanship and the stories embedded in the stonework itself. Your guide walks you through the chapel and explains the myths and legends tied to the building, including the persistent tales of Knights Templar involvement.

From Rosslyn, the route continues to Melrose, a historic town in the Scottish Borders where you stop for lunch and free time to explore. Melrose Abbey, founded in 660, sits at the heart of the town—a substantial ruin that once housed one of Scotland's most powerful monasteries. The abbey is said to be the burial place of the casket containing the heart of Robert the Bruce, though visitor access to the abbey church is currently restricted due to masonry inspections. The town itself is compact and walkable, and the lunch break gives you space to move at your own pace before rejoining the group.

The return journey to Edinburgh passes through the Borders landscape before arriving at Glenkinchie Distillery, one of the last remaining whisky producers in the Lowlands and the distillery behind Johnnie Walker's lowland expression. Here you take a guided tour of the distillery to learn how whisky is made—the traditional processes, the ingredients, the aging—followed by a tasting session of Glenkinchie's single malts. The tasting is optional, and whisky sales are restricted to passengers over 18 with valid ID. Children under 8 cannot participate in the distillery tour itself, though older children can join the group for the visit.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with live guide commentary.
• entry to Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose Abbey grounds and Glenkinchie Distillery.
• lunch time in Melrose (food purchased separately).

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Timberbush Tours

Is this one for you?Eight hours is enough to move through three separate sites without rushing the stops themselves—Rosslyn Chapel's carvings hold detail that rewards time spent looking, Melrose gives you free time to walk the town and abbey grounds at your own pace, and the distillery tour and optional tasting close the day without feeling compressed. This length rules out a return to Edinburgh before early evening, so plan accordingly if you have dinner reservations or evening plans.

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Top questions

What exactly is inside Rosslyn Chapel that makes it so famous?

Rosslyn Chapel's interior walls are covered in thousands of carved stone figures—animals, plants, geometric designs, and faces—each with its own detail and placement. The carvings span centuries of medieval craftsmanship and are the reason the chapel is sometimes called the "Library in Stone." The chapel gained wider recognition after appearing in Dan Brown's novel, but the carvings themselves are the main draw.

Can I visit inside Melrose Abbey during the tour?

Melrose Abbey is currently closed to visitor access inside the church due to masonry inspections. You can see the exterior ruins and explore the town of Melrose during the lunch break, and your guide will explain the abbey's history, including its connection to Robert the Bruce's heart, but interior access is not available at this time.

Is the whisky tasting at Glenkinchie included, or do I pay extra?

The distillery tour is included, but the whisky tasting is optional and available as an extra purchase. Whisky can only be sold to passengers over 18 with valid ID. If you're under 18 or prefer to skip the tasting, you can still join the tour of the distillery itself to learn about the whisky-making process.

Can children come on this tour?

Children from age 4 are welcome on the tour and can visit Rosslyn Chapel and Melrose. However, children under 8 cannot participate in the distillery tour at Glenkinchie, so families with younger children should plan accordingly for that final stop.

How long is the full tour, and what time does it start?

The tour runs for 8 hours total. You must arrive at least 15 minutes before departure at NCP Castle Terrace, EH1 2EW. The itinerary includes stops at Rosslyn Chapel, lunch time in Melrose, and the distillery visit, with travel time between each location.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, live commentary from a knowledgeable driver-guide, and entry to all three attractions. Food and drinks, attraction tickets beyond entry, and gratuities are not included. A restroom and WiFi on board are available depending on which option you choose at checkout.