Rosslyn Chapel and Hadrian's Wall Small Group Day Tour
About This Experience
This tour answers a common planning problem: Rosslyn Chapel and Hadrian's Wall are the two things many visitors to Edinburgh most want to see outside the city, and they sit in opposite directions. Pairing them costs a full day but saves booking two.
Rosslyn Chapel comes first — a 15th-century collegiate church whose interior carving is dense enough that guides rarely get through a fraction of it, and which has drawn a steady stream of visitors since The Da Vinci Code. From there the route crosses into the Borders for lunch at Melrose, then over the old border at Carter Bar.
The Roman half is spent at Housesteads Fort in Northumberland National Park, the most complete Roman fort surviving in Britain, with a free walk along one of the most dramatic stretches of the Wall. The return stops at Jedburgh for its abbey ruins.
The group is capped at 16 in a Mercedes mini-coach, which is a real difference from the larger coaches on this route and part of why the tour holds a 4.82 rating across more than 300 reviews. Note that admission to both Rosslyn Chapel and Housesteads is paid separately, so budget for two entry fees on top of the fare.
Highlights
- Tour Rosslyn Chapel, the most intricately carved church in Scotland
- See Housesteads, the most complete Roman fort in Britain
- Free walk along one of the most dramatic sections of the Wall
- Cross the old Scotland/England border at Carter Bar
- Lunch stop in the Borders town of Melrose
What's Included
- ✓ Guided tour in English
- ✓ Transport by Mercedes mini-coach
- ✓ Small group — maximum 16 passengers
- ✓ Live commentary on board
Not Included
- Lunch and drinks
- Admission to Rosslyn Chapel
- Admission to Housesteads Roman Fort
- Gratuities
What to Bring
- Money for two separate admission fees
- Waterproofs and walking shoes for the Wall walk
- Cash or card for lunch in Melrose
Good to Know & Caveats
- Neither Rosslyn Chapel nor Housesteads admission is included — both are paid on the day
- The group is capped at 16, so this sells out earlier than the larger coach tours
- Photography is not permitted inside Rosslyn Chapel
Not Suitable For
- Children under 5
Meeting Point
Bus Stop ZE, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh EH1 3BQ (opposite Howie's Restaurant)
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.8/5 by 326 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Absolutely loved this tour and highly recommend it, as well as our guide, Angela! She was so knowledgeable about Scottish history, culture and geography.
— Lisa, 2026-09
Really wonderful small group tour. Good amount of time allowed at each stop. Our tour guide Angela was outstanding. Be aware that exploring the Roman camp and Hadrians Wall requires some serious walking up and down hill.
— Richard, 2026-09
Calum narrative during the drive. Great knowledge and local experience. welcoming team at Rosslyn Chapel from guides, parking directors and ticket processors
— Tracy, 2026-08
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rosslyn Chapel entry included in this tour?
No. Admission to Rosslyn Chapel is paid separately on the day, as is admission to Housesteads Roman Fort. The fare covers transport, the guide and the commentary. Budget for both entry fees when you compare this against tours that bundle admission.
How small is the small group?
Sixteen passengers maximum, in a Mercedes mini-coach. That is roughly a third of a full-size coach, and it is the clearest difference between this tour and the cheaper Borders day trips leaving Edinburgh the same morning.
Which part of Hadrian's Wall does this tour visit?
Housesteads Roman Fort, in the central sector inside Northumberland National Park. It is the most complete Roman fort left in Britain and sits on the Whin Sill escarpment, so the walk from the fort along the Wall is the dramatic ridge-top stretch.
Can I do Rosslyn Chapel and Hadrian's Wall in one day independently?
Not realistically without a car, and not comfortably even with one. They lie on opposite sides of Edinburgh, roughly 100 miles apart, and both need real time on site. That combination is the reason this tour exists.
Explore More Tours
Edinburgh: Hadrian's Wall & Scottish Borders Day Trip
Hadrian's Wall & Corbridge Full Day Private Tour
Hadrian's Wall & Roman Britain 1-Day Tour from Edinburgh
Hexham: Hadrian's Wall Private Tour with Pickup
Hadrian's Wall: Housesteads Roman Fort Entry Ticket
