Why choose this Edinburgh tour ?
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.
Make the most of your Edinburgh adventure
What makes 1 Day Alnwick Castle, Holy Island & Scottish Borders a unique experience ?
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.
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 closed from October 25th 2024 to March 27th 2025)
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.
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.
Please note: If you join us between the 25th of October and the 27th of March 2025 Alnwick Castle will be closed, and the tour will make a longer visit to Bamburgh Castle instead of Alnwick Castle. Here you can explore over 3000 years of incredible history while enjoying fantastic views and sea air. From the 9th of November to the 5th of January, Bamburgh Castle puts on it’s annual Christmas Installation which is sure to be bursting with enchantment and joy with something to delight everyone!
On our journey back to Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, 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.
Tour Description & Additional Info:
- 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.
Options To Choose for Your Trip:
- 1 Day Alnwick Castle, Holy Island & Scottish Borders
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1 Day Alnwick Castle, Holy Island & Scottish Borders Inclusions:
Included with Your Ticket
- Regular Comfort Breaks
- Experienced ‘Hairy Coo’ Driver-Guide providing live commentary and story telling throughout
Not Included
- Entry to Alnwick Castle & Gardens (seasonal: March 28th 2025 – October 23rd 2025)
- Entry to Bamburgh Castle (seasonal: October 25th – March 27th 2025)
- No children under the age of 7 allowed
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Special Instructions:
- This Tour is Provided by The Hairy Coo.
- Tour Timezone & Starts at Europe/London.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 37 valid reviews on VIATOR.
- Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
- Maximum 8 Travelers is accepted for booking.
Check-In opens 8 AM, Bus Departs 8:15 AM SHARP
• • Meet outside Hotel Malmaison, on the north side of St Andrew Square, 22 St Andrew Square, EH2 1AY.
**We are unable to wait for latecomers under any circumstances and there will be no refunds for missed tours. It is vitally important that if you are arriving at the departure point by taxi or local bus that you leave enough time to get there for the departure time.**
• Due to safety regulations and insurance, we operate a minimum age requirement of 7 years old for all of our tours, including private excursions, we are unable to make any exemptions. Your child must be 7 years old at the time of departure, we cannot take children on board who will be turning that age while on tour.
• Should your driver-guide be unsure of the age of your child, you may be asked to produce a government-approved photographic ID, such as a passport, in order to verify their age.
• Additionally, we have to ensure that our seat belts fit all passengers properly and we are unable to accommodate anyone under 1.2m in height. even if your child is 7, they must meet the minimum height requirement.
• We will not be contactable on the morning of departure. It is important that you contact us with any questions before your departure day. Most commonly asked questions are covered in our Essential Information/FAQ section of the website: https://www.thehairycoo.com/essential-info/
• Safety of all passengers on board is the responsibility of your driver-guide and, if they are not 100% content that your child meets these requirements you will be unable to travel. Refunds will not be issued in this instance.
