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1 Day Alnwick Castle, Holy Island & Scottish Borders

4.7 Great 90 reviews
|
10h
|
English
Free cancellation · up to 24 hours before Instant confirmation Live guide

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
90 reviews
5
73
4
12
3
2
2
3
1
0
Ratings collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor
Recommended by 94% of travellers: 85 four- and five-star reviews

Overview

Guidekin summary

Cross the border from Edinburgh for Alnwick Castle, Holy Island and the Scottish Borders. Air-conditioned coach transport, live commentary and regular comfort stops are included; Alnwick Castle tickets cost extra and children under seven cannot join. 4.72 from 90 reviews at €70 per person for 10h.

From the guide

Explore the castles of the rugged ‘Viking Coast’ within Berwickshire and Northumberland as you cross the Border between Scotland and England. Step back in time at the spectacular Alnwick Castle – the real Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Enjoy the beautiful rolling hills of Sir Walter Scott’s Borders countryside and allow your Guide to immerse you in Scotland’s history with tales of Robert the Bruce, the ‘Outlaw King’.

This tour is ideal for both fans of Harry Potter and history buffs alike, looking to explore a more of Scotland and into Northern England.

Schedule & Availability

Runs Tue, Thu, Sat
Departs: 08:15
Scheduled through September 2027

This tour runs Tue, Thu, Sat, departing at 08:15. Scheduled through September 2027. These are the operator’s scheduled departures, not a live seat count: availability is confirmed at checkout. Schedule last checked October 1, 2026.

What's Included

Regular Comfort Breaks
In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Experienced 'Hairy Coo' Driver-Guide providing live commentary and story telling throughout

What's Not Included

On-board WiFi: WiFi on board
No children under the age of 7 allowed
On-board restrooms: Restroom on board
Entrance fees: Ticket to Alnwick Castle: GBP 20.00 per adult. Combo-ticket to Alnwick Castle & Gardens: GBP 35 per adult.

Itinerary

Scottish Borders Stop 1
Departing Edinburgh, we travel south through the rolling, beautiful hills of the Scottish Borders. Hear tales from your Guide about the infamous Border Reivers, who raided villages and settlements in this part of the country for centuries – friends to neither the Scots nor the English! You’ll see for yourself why Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland’s greatest cultural figures, loved this landscape and you will learn why it became his home.
Pass by
Holy Island Stop 2
Next, we set our sights on Holy Island, a place steeped in spirituality and history. Connected to the mainland by a causeway, Holy Island boasts the iconic Lindisfarne Castle and the ancient Lindisfarne Priory. Immerse yourself in the serenity of this sacred island, where the interplay of history and nature creates a truly magical atmosphere. *Please note that access to Holy Island is dependent on low tide, and we may instead visit in the afternoon.
1h
Alnwick Castle Stop 3
It’s then on to the magical Alnwick Castle. A dream come true for Harry Potter fanatics from around the world, you will have plenty of time to explore the corridors, great halls and courtyards of the real school of witchcraft and wizardry, Hogwarts! See where Harry learned to fly and to play Quidditch in the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. You might even wish to take part in their famous Broomstick Training sessions with the resident Wizarding Professor! (Please note: Alnwick Castle will be closing for the season on October 24th, 2025)
3h
The Alnwick Garden Stop 4
Some guests may prefer to explore breathtaking Alnwick Gardens, originally developed by the Duke of Northumberland in the 18th Century and redeveloped by a charitable trust over the past 20 years. Or indeed, the charming village of Alnwick itself which is home to the largest second hand book store in the UK.
3h
Bamburgh Castle Stop 5
We’ll stop in the picturesque village of Bamburgh and enjoy spectacular views of the imposing Castle overlooking the bay. Take yourself back in time and imagine Viking longships attacking this strategic stronghold in the 10th Century! Or, enjoy local ice-cream in the sun as you stroll along the beautiful beach. *We may visit Bamburgh at the start of the tour, depending on tidal access to Holy Island
30 min
Edinburgh Stop 6
On our journey back to Edinburgh, you will hear tales from your Guide about the infamous Border Reivers, who raided villages and settlements in this part of the country for centuries – friends to neither the Scots nor the English! We will drop you off in the city centre, our estimated arrival time is 6:30 PM. Please note that this can be impacted by traffic and other factors outwith our control. We recommend leaving 2 hours between the expected arrival time and any onward travel or reservations, as we are not able to offer individual drop-offs.
Pass by

Departure & Return

Start point

We meet in front of Burns Monument, at 1759 Regent Road, Edinburgh. What3Words: ///allow.topped.joined CHECK-IN IS AT 8 AM, BUS DEPARTS 8:15 AM.

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End point

We meet in front of Burns Monument, at 1759 Regent Road, Edinburgh. What3Words: ///allow.topped.joined CHECK-IN IS AT 8 AM, BUS DEPARTS 8:15 AM.

Additional Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Minimum age to travel is 7 years old. Photo ID, such as a passport, may be required. Children (8-17) must be accompanied by an adult.
  • There are opportunities to take short nature walks, it is recommended to bring suitable clothing and footwear.
  • This tour in an air-conditioned midi-coach, hosted by a local Scottish guide, rated 5-stars by the official Scottish Tourist Board
  • There are regular stops on tour to purchase food and refreshments that cater for most dietary requirements
  • There are regular stops on tour for comfort breaks
  • No animals allowed on tour, including guide dogs.
  • For insurance purposes, passengers must not be unaccompanied on our buses during tour stops. Drivers take legally required breaks and cannot stay with the vehicle.
  • Depending on tidal access to Holy Island, the stop at Holy Island may be in the morning or the afternoon

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

1+ daysFull refund
0-1 daysNo refund

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