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Explore Roman Britain and Hadrian’s Wall on an Edinburgh tour. Venture through Scottish Borders, unravelling 2,000 years of history to reach the final frontier of the Roman Empire.

Highlights

• Enjoy a visit to the Vindolanda Roman Army Museum
• Discover the remains of Hadrian’s Wall
• Explore Birdoswald, one of the best preserved Roman forts.
• Stop at the border town of Jedburgh, visit the remains of the Augustinian Abbey
• Visit the village of Lanercost, the western gateway to Hadrian’s Wall

Description

Today you're embarking on the journey through the ancient past and you start by heading on old Roman Dere Street that ran from the south of Scotland through what is now Northumberland. As you venture into the picturesque region of the Scottish Borders, you'll be surrounded by rolling hills adorned with ancient abbeys and charming villages. While the area may seem serene today, it has a rich history marked by conflicts and border skirmishes over the centuries. Your first stop is the border town of Jedburgh, a historic burgh dominated by the magnificent 12th-century Augustinian Abbey. You'll have the opportunity to take a short walk through the peaceful narrow streets to admire the soaring ruins of the abbey. Continuing south, we'll stop at the scenic Carter Bar, located on the edge of the Cheviot Hills. This crossing point between Scotland and England follows the ancient Roman road and has marked the border between the two countries for the past 700 years. As you enter Northumberland, a county renowned for its historic towns, lush countryside, and ancient castles, you'll bid farewell to Scotland. The tour continues toward Hadrian's Wall, stopping at Steel Rigg. You'll have time to walk beside the wall and feel the isolation that Roman soldiers experienced while guarding against the ‘barbarians' to the north. As you journey along the wall, your guide will recommend the best sites to visit. Next is exploring the archaeological site of Vindolanda, where you can step into the lives of those at this Roman fort. Years of excavation have uncovered incredible artifacts, from shoes and jewellery to bones and pottery. With history in mind, you'll head north to Scotland, traveling through Dumfries and Galloway to Moffat. You'll have a short break in the Victorian spa town of Moffat, which attracted visitors in the 18th and 19th centuries seeking the health benefits of its mineral springs. The town is also famous for Moffat toffee, known for its unique buttery flavour and chewy texture. From Moffat, you'll travel north, past the Pentland Hills Regional Park on your way back to Edinburgh

Includes

Vindolanda and Roman Army Museum entry fee (or Housesteads Roman Fort when Vindolanda closed) Transportation Experienced driver/guide

Important Information

• Time off the bus gives you opportunities to take nature walks. It is recommended to bring suitable clothing and footwear for your tour
• The minimum age to participate is 5 years
• You're restricted to 14 kilograms (31lbs) of luggage per person on the tours. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus a small bag for onboard personal items
• To maintain the integrity of the tour and to ensure the highest quality experience for all participants, group bookings are limited to a maximum of 8 passengers. Please note that while the vehicle has a total capacity of 16 passengers and you will be sharing the tour with others, this group booking restriction is in place to preserve balance and comfort for all guests on board. * Please note that Vindolanda is closed yearly during the month of January and part of February. Instead, we take you to Housesteads Roman Fort during this period.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund