Rosslyn Chapel and Hadrian's Wall tour from Edinburgh

A 73-mile Roman frontier and a 15th-century chapel with unsolved stone carvings, both in one morning and afternoon.

This small group tour from Edinburgh travels south through the Borderlands to four major historical sites: Rosslyn Chapel, known for its intricate stone carvings and Knights Templar connections; Melrose Abbey, where King Robert the Bruce's heart is buried; Hadrian's Wall at Housesteads Roman Fort, the best-preserved section of the 73-mile World Heritage frontier; and Jedburgh Abbey on the return. A driver-guide provides live commentary throughout the 10.5-hour day, and the group stays under 12 passengers. Children from age 5 are welcome. Attraction entry fees are not included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Rosslyn Chapel and Hadrian's Wall

• Visit Rosslyn Chapel and Roslin Castle
• Have lunch in Melrose
• Cross Scotland/England border at Carter Bar
• Walk at Housesteads Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall
• Stop for photos at Jedburgh Abbey

Stops and time spent at each 5 stops

1. Rosslyn Chapel 1h 15m
2. Melrose Abbey 1h
3. Carter Bar 10m
4. Housesteads Roman Fort 1h 30m
5. Jedburgh Abbey 15m

What’s included

• Driver-guide providing live English commentary.
• transport in an air-conditioned Mercedes mini-coach.
• stops at Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose Abbey, Hadrian's Wall at Housesteads Roman Fort, and Jedburgh Abbey.
• a nature walk along the wall at Housesteads.
• the Scotland/England border crossing at Carter Bar viewpoint.

Times

Looking for another day or time? ›

• Monday to Saturday 08:45

Last departure this season: 2 Jan 2027

Information

Small group tour from Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel, Hadrian's Wall and two Border abbeys with driver-guide and live commentary, four historic sites.

Group Up to 16

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. See the exact address

Book up to 1h before

Ages Adult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Child (5 to 17 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Pets welcome Public transport nearby

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

4.80 ★★★★★ Exceptional 744 verified traveler reviews 86% rated it 5 stars

5 ★ 641

4 ★ 76

3 ★ 16

2 ★ 5

1 ★ 6

Read all the reviews ›

The experience

Rosslyn Chapel is the first stop, a 15th-century structure whose stone carvings remain partly unexplained and have drawn worldwide attention since The Da Vinci Code. The chapel's connections to the Knights Templar and Freemasonry fuel ongoing theories among visitors. A short walk leads through the glen to the ruins of ancient Roslin Castle. From there, the route heads south toward the Borderlands at a relaxed pace, with lunch in the market town of Melrose, where Melrose Abbey stands as a ruined monument to Scottish history. It holds the final resting place of King Robert the Bruce's heart.

The tour crosses the Scotland/England border at Carter Bar, a viewpoint in the Cheviot Hills, and continues to Hadrian's Wall. Built almost 2,000 years ago to mark the northern limit of Roman power and contain the Picts, the wall stretches 73 miles across northern England and was designated a World Heritage Site in 1987. The group stops at Housesteads Roman Fort in Northumberland National Park, the best-preserved fort along the wall, where a nature walk follows one of the most dramatic and photographed stretches of the structure itself.

On the return to Edinburgh, a final stop in Jedburgh allows time to photograph the town's Abbey and stretch after the day's travel. The driver-guide offers live commentary throughout, and the air-conditioned Mercedes mini-coach carries the small group of around 12 passengers. The pace is built to fit all four sites into a single outing without rushing between them.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 17 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Rosslyn Chapel and why is it famous?

Rosslyn Chapel is a 15th-century Scottish structure famous for its superb stone carvings, many of which remain unexplained, and for its associations with the Knights Templar and Freemasonry. It gained worldwide recognition after the publication of The Da Vinci Code.

How much of Hadrian's Wall do we actually walk?

At Housesteads Roman Fort, you walk a nature trail along one of the most dramatic and photographed stretches of Hadrian's Wall itself. The fort is the best-preserved section along the entire 73-mile structure.

Does the tour include meals and attraction entry?

The tour includes transport and driver-guide commentary. Lunch is taken in Melrose, but food, drinks and all attraction entrance fees are separate costs you arrange on the day.

How long is the full day and what is the group size?

The tour runs 10.5 hours from Edinburgh. The group averages around 12 passengers, keeping it small enough for the guide to engage with everyone on board.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in all weather conditions unless conditions become unsafe. Dress appropriately for Scottish weather, which can change quickly.

Operated by Heart of Scotland Tours Ltd. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated today