Rosslyn Chapel & Scottish Borders Small Group Tour from Edinburgh
Stand inside a 15th-century chapel wrapped in Knights Templar lore and film history
This small-group day tour from Edinburgh visits Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose Abbey and Scott's View across the Scottish Borders with a professional guide and admission to the chapel included. Groups stay under 16 travelers on a luxury mini-coach, and the route reverses on Sundays. Melrose Abbey is currently closed for masonry inspection, so access to sections of the site may be limited during your visit.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Rosslyn Chapel and Borders
- Visit Rosslyn Chapel
- See William Wallace statue
- Enjoy Scott's View panorama
- Tour Melrose Abbey ruins
- Rosslyn Chapel Entry included 1h 30m
- Melrose Abbey 1h 30m
- William Wallace Statue 20m
- Scott's View 20m
What’s included
- Professional driver-guide leading the group through all three stops.
- admission to Rosslyn Chapel.
- transport by 16-seat luxury Mercedes mini-coach.
- views from Scott's View and the William Wallace statue overlooking the Borders landscape.
- Every day except Friday 10:00
Information
Small-group day tour from Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel and Melrose Abbey with professional guide, luxury coach and chapel admission included.
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The experience
You depart from Edinburgh Bus Station (Gate J or K at St Andrew Square) in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a professional driver-guide who stays with the group for the full day. The tour heads south into the Borders, stopping first at Scott's View, the 200-year-old vantage point that was Sir Walter Scott's favorite, where you take in the landscape he chose to paint from. Then comes Rosslyn Chapel itself: a 15th-century structure dense with carved stone, mysterious symbolism and the historical weight of Knights Templar connections, Holy Grail theories and its starring role in the Da Vinci Code film. Admission is included, and the guide walks you through the architecture and the stories layered into it.
The second major stop is Melrose Abbey, the ruined Gothic structure in the town of Melrose where legend places the embalmed heart of Scottish king Robert the Bruce. The abbey is currently undergoing masonry inspection, so some sections may be closed when you visit: the operator notes that which areas are blocked off varies. From there you pass the eccentric 200-year-old statue of William Wallace overlooking the landscape before heading back to Edinburgh. The whole day runs roughly seven hours including travel time and stops.
Groups cap at 16 people, which means the coach moves at a pace that lets the guide speak without shouting and stops don't turn into cattle calls. You're restricted to one carry-on-sized bag (20kg) plus one small personal item, and check-in closes 15 minutes before departure. Children under 5 cannot travel. Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. If your tour departs on a Sunday, the itinerary reverses. You'll visit Melrose Abbey and Scott's View first, then Rosslyn Chapel last.
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.
What is Rosslyn Chapel and why is it famous?
Rosslyn Chapel is a 15th-century structure in the Scottish Borders known for its intricate stone carvings and historical associations with the Knights Templar, Holy Grail theories, and its appearance in the Da Vinci Code film. The guide explains the architecture and the mysteries embedded in its design.
Is Melrose Abbey open when I visit?
Melrose Abbey is currently closed for masonry inspection and maintenance work, so sections of the site may be inaccessible during your tour. The operator notes that which areas are blocked off varies, and they apologize for the inconvenience.
How many people travel on this tour?
Groups are capped at 16 people maximum on a luxury 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, which keeps the pace manageable and stops from becoming crowded.
What does the tour include and what do I need to pay for separately?
Admission to Rosslyn Chapel, transport by mini-coach, and a professional guide are included. Entrance to Melrose Abbey is not included in the tour price, and food, drinks and gratuities are separate.
Where do I meet the tour and what time does it depart?
The tour departs from inside Edinburgh Bus Station at Gate J or Gate K on St Andrew Square (postcode EH1 3DQ). Check-in closes 15 minutes before departure, so arrive early.
Can I bring luggage on this tour?
You're allowed one piece of luggage up to 20kg (44lbs): roughly the size of an airline carry-on bag (55cm x 45cm x 25cm), plus one small personal item for onboard use.
Operated by Rabbies Trail Burners. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 3 days ago
Rosslyn Chapel & Scottish Borders Small Group Tour from Edinburgh
6h 45m · EN
from £ 65.07 per person
≈ US$ 88 in your currency
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