Enjoy a day spent discovering the highlights of Roman Britain and Hadrian’s Wall on this small group tour from Edinburgh. Journey through the heart of the Scottish Borders and 2,000 years of history to the last frontier of the mighty Roman Empire.
About this activity
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
- COVID-19 precautions
- Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
- Mobile ticketing
- Use your phone or print your voucher
- Duration 11 hours
- Starting time 8:15 AM
- Instant confirmation
- Live tour guide
- English
Experience
Highlights
- Journey along the old Roman Dere Street
- Discover the remains of Hadrian’s Wall
- Explore Birdoswald, one of the best preserved Roman forts along the length of Hadrian’s Wall
- Stop at the border town of Jedburgh to visit the remains of the Augustinian Abbey
- Visit the village of Lanercost, the western gateway to Hadrian’s Wall
- Stop at the scenic Carter Bar on the edge of the Cheviot Hills
- Travel through the magnificent forests of Northumberland National Park
- Stop at the Victorian spa town of Moffat
Full description
On this 1-day tour from Edinburgh you travel south on the old Roman Dere Street that linked the supply ports on the south of England with the ancient city of York, and north past Hadrian’s Wall to the Roman settlements in Central Scotland. Your first stop on this tour will be in the border town of Jedburgh, a historic burgh that lies only 12 miles north of the Scotland-England border. Here you have time to take a short walk through the narrow streets that lead to the remains of the Augustinian Abbey, which has been a great symbol of power during its 900 year history.
Continuing south you make a brief stop at scenic Carter Bar on the edge of the Cheviot Hills. This crossing point between Scotland and England runs close to the ancient Roman road and has formed the border between the 2 countries for the past 700 years.
The tour continues through the magnificent forests of Northumberland National Park before turning west towards the remains of Hadrian’s Wall. You follow the road taking you along the south side of the wall, stopping at Steel Rigg where you come face-to-face with large sections of the wall’s remains. You have time to walk along the wall and experience the isolation that Roman foot soldiers would have experienced as they guarded their empire from the barbarians to the north.
You continue your journey west along the wall towards the village of Lanercost, the western gateway to Hadrian’s Wall. After pausing for lunch you travel a short distance to Birdoswald, one of the best preserved of the 16 Roman forts along the length of Hadrian’s Wall. You have time to explore this fascinating site and further sections of the wall before you turn north for the return journey.
Travelling through the Galloway hills, you stop in the Victorian spa town of Moffat before continuing through the Southern Uplands and Scottish Borders, and return to Edinburgh.
Includes
- Transportation
- Experienced driver/guide
- Meals and refreshments
- Entrance fees
COVID-19 precautions
Customers must book this activity online because the ticket office is closed
Safety measures in place
- All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
- Customers must keep distance in vehicles
- The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
Traveler requirements
- Customers are required to bring and wear masks
- Customers must fill out a travel information form
- Customers will get a mandatory temperature check
Select participants and date
Participants
Date
Prepare for the activity
Meeting point
Rabbie's Cafe, 6 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG
Open in Google Maps ⟶Important information
Know before you go
- Return time: around 7:00 PM
- A small group tour with a maximum of 16 passengers allows for a more personal service, time with the locals, more time off the bus, more time on the backroads, and just more of an authentic, friendly experience. The smaller groups allow you to meet people from all over the world and make friends for life
- Time off the bus gives you opportunities to take nature walks. It is recommended to bring suitable clothing and footwear for your tour
- Minimum age to participate is 5 years
- You're restricted to 14 kilograms (31lbs) of luggage per person on the tours. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus a small bag for onboard personal items
