1 Day Alnwick Castle, Holy Island & Scottish Borders, Edinburgh

About this activity

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.

Day Trips Full-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Historical Tours Excellent Quality Additional fees

At a glance

Duration: 10 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 33 people
People per booking: 1–8
Guide: English
Operated by: The Hairy Coo

Ages: Children (7–17 years) · Adults (18–99 years)

What is included

Included

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

Not included

Not included: On-board WiFi: WiFi on board
Not included: No children under the age of 7 allowed
Not included: On-board restrooms: Restroom on board
Not included: Entrance fees: Ticket to Alnwick Castle: GBP 20.00 per adult. Combo-ticket to Alnwick Castle & Gardens: GBP 35 per adult.

Itinerary

Scottish Borders

Passing by

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.
Holy Island

one hour

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.
Alnwick Castle

3 hours Admission not included

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)
The Alnwick Garden

3 hours Admission not included

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.
Bamburgh Castle

30 min Admission not included

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
Edinburgh

Passing by

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.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting 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.

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.

Using your ticket

Check-In opens 8 AM, Bus Departs 8:15 AM SHARP

We meet at 1759 Regent Rd, EH8 8DR, in front of Burns Monument. What3Words: ///allow.topped.joined. If using Apple Maps, please reference the Burns Monument.

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.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

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