Full Itinerary

Meet at 9am Charlotte Square, Edinburgh or 9:45 am at Rosslyn Chapel car park.  

Many people have heard of Rosslyn Chapel a rare architectural gem, made famous by Dan Brown’s book, The Da Vinci Code.  However, many people do not know that there is a beautiful glen, below the chapel holding many secrets and mysteries, the whole area has long been associated with the Holy Grail and the Knights Templar. We will tour the chapel first to get our bearings then down into the Glen!

Stonemasons carvings

We have the chance to fully explore this beautiful place, finding all its hidden nooks and crannies, ancient yews and magnificent chestnut trees over 500 years old associated with healing properties.  Many people marvel that such a wild and beautiful place can be so close to Edinburgh, once in the glen you feel transported to another world. Scot will explore the glen through Celtic storytelling and folklore some of the myths and legends that surround this mystical and magical glen. We will visit hidden corners few know about and be enthralled by the beauty of this place.

After a full explore we move on to a wonderful herb garden, set in over 7 acres, surrounded by native woodland and a stream, it again is a lovely place in a different way to the glen.  This is the home of renowned herbologist, Hamish Miller.  After a delicious lunch in the glorious surroundings of the garden we will have a tour and talk on herbs and how they have been used throughout history.  The garden is home to an award winning gin distilling practice, which are stock in prestigious stores such as Fortnum and Masons in London.  The artisan gins are distilled using organic herbs and flowers grown in the garden and change colour due to their properties.  The plants used include the classic juniper, but also the delicious floral varieties such as scented lemon verbena, geraniums, irises and roses.  We will tour the beautiful Gin gardens with Hamish explaining how the gins was carefully crafted.   We will have the chance to see the distillery and the drying rooms, the smell is divine.  We will then be invited for a private gin tasting of their full range of gins, a great way to end a fabulous day out.

Herbs and Flowers in the drying room at the gin distillery

This is a fascinating day tour where you will gain insight into these places from a very different perspective from what the guide books tell you!  We look forward to seeing you.

Pricing and Booking

Tours available: Next date 25th April 2020  – other tour dates to be announced, please enquire if you are interested in a specific date. The total cost of this day tour is sixty seven pounds per person.

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For more details,  please see additional information 

Additional Information

Whats included in the tour?

• Personal full-time tour guides with specialist expert local knowledge
• Transport to all sites listed on the tour
• Admissions to all attractions listed on the tour itinerary
• Delicious lunch in a beautiful location
• Private garden and gin tour with its curator
• Private gin tasting

Whats not included in the tour?

• Expenses before and after the tour
• Any side trips or excursions guest do outside of the set itinerary
• Gifts, souvenirs, laundry, cleaning, telephone calls, telexes, faxes, cables, wines, liquors, beer, mineral water, soft drinks and incidental expenditures
• Porterage – we carry our own bags, always
• Tips for tour guides, hotel staff

What to bring?

• Waterproof jacket and trousers, walking pole – if required
• Sturdy shoes or walking boots

Good to know

The ground in Roslin glen is on rough paths with steep sections, if you are worried about the activity level for this tour, please enquire before booking.

What if the weather is bad?

Scotland is a land of sunshine, mists, wind, rain and anything else it feels like doing.  Conditions can change quickly but tours will not be cancelled due to poor weather.  There might be slightly altered itineraries but tours will still go ahead.  The most important thing is to be prepared for all weather conditions to ensure you are comfortable.  Some of the most amazing photos can be taken just before or after storms the light can be incredibly intense and certainly brings you closer to nature!  Highland locals would say it is possible to experience all four seasons in one day and if you don’t like the weather – just wait 20 minutes!

How do I get to Roslin?

If you do not have your own transport the easiest way to get to Roslin is by bus from the centre of Edinburgh.

There is a good bus service every day to and from Roslin village. From Edinburgh city centre, look for a Lothian Service 37 and check that it says ‘Penicuik/ Deanburn’ at the front of the bus (if in doubt, ask the driver!). The journey from the city centre will take around 45 to 60 minutes and there are stops on Princes Street (shop side) or North Bridge. The bus comes into Roslin village and the Chapel is just a few minutes’ walk from the bus stop at the Original Rosslyn Hotel. East Coast Buses  Service 140 is ideal if you are travelling from Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg, Loanhead or Penicuik. A single journey is currently £1.70 per adult and you must have the correct money.

Full details and timetables are available at www.lothianbuses.com

What is the Cancellation Policy?

Full refund if cancellation is more than two weeks (14 days) prior to the tour date.

Cancellation 7 days or less from tour date or no show – no refund

All cancellations must be received in writing.