Quick Details
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! Experience one of England’s largest inhabited castles at Bamburgh, home of the real Last Kingdom of Bebbanburg. 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!
FROM (seasonal prices)
Adults
From 18 years old
£ 54
Children
From 7 to 17 years old
£ 52
NHS/Carers
Valid ID Required
£ 52
Students
Valid ID Required
£ 52
Visit Alnwick and Holy Island from Edinburgh with The Hairy Coo!
This trip is essential for those who have read the Harry Potter books, seen the movies or ever dreamed of becoming a wizard
DEPARTURE
Check-In: 8:00 AM
Tour Departs 8:15 AM
Departure Point: We depart from 1759 Regent Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8DR, in front of Burns Monument. You can view find maps here: what3words, Google Maps and further details here.
Seats are unreserved so we recommend you arrive early if you have a preference of where you would like to sit.
The tour will leave at 8:15 AM prompt. We are unable to wait for guests who are late and no refunds will be issued in this instance.
TOUR RETURNS
Drop-Off: 6:30 PM
The tour concludes back at Regent Road.
Please note that return times are approximate and may be impacted by road conditions and weather. We recommend allowing at least 2 hours for any onward travel or reservations in the evening, in the event of delays.
ABOUT YOUR ALNWICK CASTLE & SCOTTISH BORDERS TOUR
Departing Edinburgh’s New Town, 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.
Across the English border, in the heart of the Northumberland coast lies a sanctuary steeped in history and mystique: Holy Island. Nestled amidst windswept landscapes and surrounded by the ebb and flow of the North Sea, this tiny isle is a treasure trove of ancient wonders and spiritual significance.
Step onto its shores and be transported through time, where the ruins of Lindisfarne Priory stand as silent sentinels to centuries of faith and resilience. Wander through the narrow streets of the village, where time seems to have slowed to a tranquil pace, and immerse yourself in the warmth of its community.
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!
Whilst we can’t promise that you will become a bonafide wizard on this tour, we can promise the next best thing. Used as a filming location for Hogwarts, Alnwick Castle has both a medieval and magical charm about it. The castle dates from the 11th century and is a ‘Grade 1’ listed building. It possesses a rich and interesting history, a few Hollywood secrets and it’s very own Duke and Duchess who continue to reside there today.
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.
Late afternoon, we depart Alnwick and travel North along the rugged ‘Viking Coast’ towards the Scottish border. 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.
From here it is back to Edinburgh for approximately 6:30pm.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
- Experienced ‘Hairy Coo’ Driver Guide providing live commentary and storytelling throughout.
- Travel on one of our luxury, modern, air-conditioned coaches.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
- Food & drink.
- Gratuities for your Driver Guide.
- Optional Extras are purchasable on the day.
- Alnwick Castle (March 28th 2025 – October 23rd 2025)
- Adults £20.00, Children £9.50 (cash only)
- Alnwick Castle and Gardens (March 28th 2025 – October 23rd 2025)
- Adults £35.00, Children £9.50 (cash only)
Please note that Alnwick Castle will not be open between the 25th of October and the 27th March 2025, the tour will stop for a visit to Bamburgh Castle instead.
- Adults £35.00, Children £9.50 (cash only)
- Alnwick Castle (March 28th 2025 – October 23rd 2025)
(Price subject to change)
ALNWICK CASTLE TOUR ITINERARY
8:15am
Depart Edinburgh
♦ Holy Island
♦ Alnwick Castle and Gardens (seasonal: late March – late Oct)
♦ Bamburgh
◊ Bamburgh Castle
Arrive Back in Edinburgh
6:30pm
♦ Stop
Please note: Access to Holy Island is dependent on low tide, some days we visit Holy Island in the afternoon and Bamburgh in the morning. If you’d like to know which will be first on your tour you can check access to Holy Island here.
Before your tour
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We recommend you bring warm and/or waterproof clothing, no matter what the forecast appears to be…Scotland’s weather is very unpredictable! And don’t forget your camera to capture all the lovely scenery and wildlife you’ll encounter on your tour, which you can later share with us online!
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Food is readily available at the majority of stops on tour, but you are absolutely more than welcome to bring snacks and a cold packed lunch on board. Hot drinks and soups are permitted but only if they have a secure lid. There are often alternatives suitable to most diets, but options may be limited.
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We ask that tickets to the optional extras available are paid in cash, please see the cost listed above under “What is not included”. We must also remind you that while picturesque and quaint, many of the suppliers in smaller towns do still prefer cash payments.
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As Highland Cows are less common when travelling south of Edinburgh, we do not have a planned visit of any Highland Cows on this tour. You can find more information on where to see the hairy coos around Scotland on Visit Scotland’s website.
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You are more than welcome to bring along a carry-on bag on the tour which can be packed with essentials for the day, but we would advise keeping this bag as light and small as possible to maximise your comfort onboard. If you’d like to bring along larger luggage, please get in touch to confirm availability.
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All of our 1-Day excursions require notice of cancellation at least 24 hours notice prior to your scheduled departure in order to be eligible for a 100% refund. Should you book your tour within this period, your booking will be immediately non-refundable. If you made your booking through an agent site, please contact their customer services for support.
Our tours are very rarely cancelled but should we have to cancel a tour, passengers will be offered multiple alternatives. These may include options such as an alternative tour, alternative date or a full refund for their booking.
You can find further details in our FAQ’s and Terms & Conditions.