1-Day Alnwick Castle, Holy Island & Scottish Borders

1-Day Alnwick Castle, Holy Island & Scottish Borders

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1-Day Alnwick Castle, Holy Island & Scottish Borders

2 Days

Visiting: United Kingdom

Tour operator:

The Hairy Coo

Tour code:

308144

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Activities:

Sightseeing

Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating 1-day journey through the enchanting landscapes of the Scottish Borders with our Alnwick Castle and Holy Island tour. Departing from St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, this tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the historic Alnwick Castle and Gardens, available from April to October, or the majestic Bamburgh Castle during the winter months. Experience the charm of Holy Island, renowned for its serene beauty and rich history. With unreserved seating, early arrival ensures your preferred spot on the Hairy Coo tour bus. While food and drink are not included, you can bring snacks or enjoy local offerings at various stops. Remember to dress warmly and bring your camera to capture the stunning scenery. This tour promises a day filled with history, culture, and breathtaking views, making it an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the UK.

Highlights

  • Alnwick Castle and Gardens visit available from April to October.

  • Explore the historic Bamburgh Castle, with a special Christmas Installation from November to January.

  • Discover the scenic beauty of Holy Island.

  • Experience the picturesque landscapes of the Scottish Borders.

  • Capture stunning scenery and wildlife throughout the tour.

Itinerary

What's Included

  • Tour Departure

    The tour departs from outside Hotel Malmaison, on the north side of St Andrew Square, 22 St Andrew Square, EH2 1AY.

  • Visit to Bamburgh Castle

    Between the 25th of October and late April 2025, the tour will stop for a visit to Bamburgh Castle instead of Alnwick Castle.

  • Christmas Installation at Bamburgh Castle

    From the 9th of November to the 5th of January, Bamburgh Castle puts on its annual Christmas Installation which is included in the admission ticket.

What's Not Included

  • Food & Drink

    Food and drink are not included in the tour.

  • Gratuities

    Gratuities for your Driver Guide are not included.

  • Optional Extras

    Optional extras are not included in the tour.

  • Alnwick Castle and Gardens Tickets

    Tickets for Alnwick Castle and Gardens are not included and can be purchased on the day of your tour.

  • Bamburgh Castle Tickets

    Tickets for Bamburgh Castle are not included and can be purchased upon arrival or pre-booked for the tour date.

Booking Notes

YOUR TOUR DEPARTURE


• Please meet your Hairy Coo tour bus:

Outside Hotel Malmaison, on the north side of St Andrew Square, 22 St Andrew Square, EH2 1AY.

You can find the meeting point using the following links: what3words, Google Maps

• Check-in for your tour will start at 8:00AM

• Departure will promptly be at 8:15AM. We’re unable to wait for guests who are late due to the time restraints of the jam packed itinerary we have planned.

• If you get there early you’ll get first choice of where you site, seats are unreserved so we recommend you arrive early if you have a preference!

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?



  • Food & drink

  • Gratuities for your Driver Guide

  • Optional extras


We are happy to confirm that the optional visit to Alnwick Castle and Gardens is available from 28th of March 2025 - late October 2025, and if that is something you would like to do, tickets can be purchased and paid for on the day of your tour. Alnwick Castle will be closed during the winter, due to reopen on the 28th of March 2025.

Please bring cash with you to book your ticket:

Alnwick Castle and Gardens Combo tickets

Adult: £35.00

Child: £9.50

Alnwick Castle tickets

Adult: £20.00

Child: £9.50

Between the 25th of October and 28th of March 2025 the tour will stop for a visit to Bamburgh Castle instead of Alnwick Castle.

Tickets can be purchased upon arrival, or pre-booked for the tour date:

Bamburgh Castle tickets

(until 28/3/2025)

Adults £18.75

Children £9.40

BEFORE YOUR TOUR


• We recommend you bring warm and/or waterproof clothing, no matter what the forecast appears to be…Scotland’s weather is very unpredictable!

• 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

• We must remind you that while picturesque and quaint, many of the suppliers in smaller towns across the Highlands do still prefer cash payments

• 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 on board

• 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.

Mode of Transport

Travel in comfort on a coach departing from Hotel Malmaison, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, with stops at Alnwick Castle, Bamburgh Castle, and Holy Island.

Accommodation

This tour does not include accommodation as it is a one-day excursion.

Check out our Q&As

  • What time does the tour depart and where should I meet the tour bus?

    The tour departs promptly at 8:15 AM. You should meet the Hairy Coo tour bus outside Hotel Malmaison, on the north side of St Andrew Square, 22 St Andrew Square, EH2 1AY. Check-in starts at 8:00 AM.

  • What should I bring with me for the tour?

    It is recommended to bring warm and/or waterproof clothing due to Scotland's unpredictable weather, a camera for capturing scenery and wildlife, and cash for purchases as many suppliers in smaller towns prefer cash payments. You can also bring a carry-on bag with essentials, snacks, and a cold packed lunch. Hot drinks and soups are allowed if they have a secure lid.

  • Are there any optional activities during the tour?

    Yes, there is an optional visit to Alnwick Castle and Gardens available from April 2024 to 24th October 2024. Tickets can be purchased on the day of the tour. Between 25th October and late April 2025, the tour will visit Bamburgh Castle instead.

  • What are the ticket prices for Alnwick Castle and Gardens?

    The Alnwick Castle and Gardens Combo tickets cost £30.00 for adults and £9.50 for children.

  • What are the ticket prices for Bamburgh Castle?

    From 25th October 2024 to 3rd November 2024, Bamburgh Castle tickets cost £17.00 for adults and £8.50 for children. From 9th November 2024 to April 2025, the prices are £18.75 for adults and £9.40 for children.

  • Is food included in the tour?

    Food and drink are not included in the tour. However, food is readily available at most stops, and you are welcome to bring snacks and a cold packed lunch.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Reduced capacity. Compulsory Masks. Hand Sanitiser available onboard.

  • What is your minimum age?

    Our minimum age for all tours is 7 years old.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Before Covid-19, we were awaiting

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    We do not book accommodation on behalf of guests but are happy to provide recommendations upon request.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    We are happy to amend bookings as many times as is required as long as the request is sent to us within the cancellation period for your tour.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    The Hairy Coo has been operating since 2010.

Reviews of this operator

Mrinalini G (Google Reviewer)  

Had the good fortune of...

07-Oct-2024

Had the good fortune of choosing The Hairy Coo and having Lucky as our tour guide for the 3 day Scottish highlands tour. The tour and locations themselves were breathtaking, it has been planned out very well and nothing feels too much or too fast. Lucky was absolutely phenomenal, he’s truly the one who made the trip what it was. I so enjoyed his storytelling, quick wit and humorous retellings. He’s full of recommendations and knowledge of the entire area. He was extremely friendly and forthcoming and made the tour all the more worthwhile.

Natasha Sakulyanonvitaya (Google Reviewer)  

Our tour guide, David H.,...

12-Oct-2024

Our tour guide, David H., was so much fun. He was very knowledgeable about the Highlands, the lands and the history. We also got to hear stories from his own life. He was humorous and very friendly, giving us many tips for our longer stops. David also stopped at extra places where we could get more pictures, the views were stunning!! They are called the Hairy Coo so of course we got to see hairy coos!! They’re absolutely Adorable. We brought our own lunches, which saved us time in Fort Augustus to explore, but they do give us two hours in the town: one for food, one for optional cruise on the Lochness. I definitely recommend the Highlands tour!

La Ra (Google Reviewer)  

Booking the one-day Highland Tour...

19-Mar-2024

Booking the one-day Highland Tour with a visit to Loch Ness through The Hairy Coo turned out to be an unforgettable experience, much of it thanks to our driver and guide, Brian Smith. The day was filled with fascinating sights, engaging stories, and just the right amount of entertainment during the bus ride, ensuring it was never dull but also not overwhelming. Brian did an excellent job of blending information about Scotland's natural landscapes and cultural history with light-hearted entertainment. The mix of listening to music together and learning about Scotland when the music was off made the journey feel special and well-rounded. I would wholeheartedly recommend booking with The Hairy Coo for anyone looking to explore the Highlands, and if possible, ask for Brian to be your guide. His approach to guiding—informative, engaging, and entertaining—significantly enhanced our experience. I'd gladly book another tour with them, especially if Brian is leading the adventure. Overall, it was a highly recommendable trip for anyone looking to get a deeper understanding of Scotland while enjoying a day full of entertainment and education.

Angie Vourliotakis (Google Reviewer)  

Our trip to the Scottish...

31-Jan-2025

Our trip to the Scottish Highland was absolutely unforgettable, and a huge part of that was thanks to amazing guide Colin. he was incredibly knowledgeable, keeping us engaged with fascinating history, good jokes, and fantastic selection of Scottish songs. Even though we spent many hours in the bus, we hardly noticed because we were completely mesmerised by the idyllic scenery – winding through the Scottish mountains, shimmering lakes, and snow capped peaks felt like something out of a dream. The photo stops were perfect, and we loved every little detail. All in all, this was the perfect experience, and we couldn’t recommend it more! Scotland is pure beauty! ⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ayush Dutta (Google Reviewer)  

I took a solo trip...

16-Feb-2024

I took a solo trip to Edinburgh and booked a tour with The Hairy Coo. Honestly, it was the best decision. Our guide/driver/DJ/storyteller, Stephen, was just amazing. His tales, jokes, banter and insights kept us entertained throughout, and made the entire trip memorable. I would gladly book another tour with them and highly recommend it to anyone who's in Scotland. PS: Unless you like living dangerously, avoid wearing white trainers. Or else you'd go home with brown trainers.

Shae Bampton (Google Reviewer)  

Lucky was one of the...

15-Nov-2024

Lucky was one of the most accommodating, charismatic, hardworking men I have ever met. He made our tour of Scotland so enjoyable. It’s always nerve wracking going to a new country and experiencing it for the first time, however he made all of us feel right at home from day 1. If you happen to be on one of the smaller group tours, be sure to sit on the single seats to the left of the bus for uninterrupted views and a little more comfort. You won’t miss anything on the right but you will have to look over others to see. We could not recommend The Hairy Coo enough! And if you’re ‘lucky’ enough to have a tour guide like ours, you’re in for plenty of insight into the history of Scotland, brilliant driving skills, food recommendations and last but not least, laughter. Thank you Lucky!

geraldinefok (Google Reviewer)  

My husband and I had...

11-Jul-2024

My husband and I had a great time on the 3 day Hairy Coo tour, with our driver guide Peter Richardson. Our driver guide did an amazing job in getting us to places on time and safely, while sharing the rich history of Scotland. We also enjoyed the Scottish tunes along the way. Peter truly made the whole experience so much better with his warmth and knowledge. Will definitely recommend Peter to anyone looking for an enjoyable tour of the beautiful lands of Scotland!

Glenda Casimir (Google Reviewer)  

Amazing day out with our...

15-Sep-2024

Amazing day out with our driver/tour guide, Wee Stevie, on the One Day Loch Ness tour. He did a fantastic job sharing history, stories, keeping us all engaged and ensuring our day was memorable. The tour was well organized, plenty of opportunities to get out, take photos, use facilities, and things like pre-arranging our boat tour tickets on the bus rather than lining up at the location. One of the things I looked forward to was feeding the highland coos and unfortunately the farm was going to be closed. Stevie called ahead and arranged for food to be left for us so we didn't miss out! Wonderful day!

Christal Kelso (Google Reviewer)  

What a great tour! We...

27-Oct-2024

What a great tour! We did the 1 day Highland tour to Loch Ness and had a blast. David H was a lovely and informative guide. He kept the day light and interesting while teaching us some Scottish history and throwing in some personal anecdotes along the way. The Fall colors were beautiful and I highly recommend the optional boat cruise of the Loch to look for Nessie while sipping some whisky. Will be booking Hairy Coos again!

Alicia Hatmaker (Google Reviewer)  

We did the 1-day Loch...

08-Jun-2024

We did the 1-day Loch Ness and Scottish Highlands tour, and WOW! I was skeptical at first about being on a tour for the entire day, but our driver/DJ/storytelling extraordinaire, Fraser, was amazing and kept everyone engaged the entire tour. He definitely has a gift for captivating an audience, and it was so obvious how much he loves Scotland! I appreciated his depth of knowledge which included history lessons, movie facts, music, as well as some funny stories! This was the highlight of our trip so far, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone else!

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    The Hairy Coo allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 7 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit for future tours

    The Hairy Coo allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform the hairy coo, 7 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of the hairy coo charges.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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