Beyond the Borders with Harmonious Wail

      Multidestination

      SF
      Scotland Folk Tours
      • Email address verified
      6 reviews
      Apr 12 - 22, 2024
      Group size: 18 - 25
      Beyond the Borders with Harmonious Wail
      Multidestination

      Scotland Folk Tours
      • Email address verified
      6 reviews

      Apr 12 - 22, 2024
      Group size: 18 - 25

      About this trip

      On this 11 day tour we’ll explore the unrivaled, relaxed beauty of the Borders. Traveling from East to West through this lesser explored region of Scotland you’ll experience everything you’d expect from an adventure across this bountiful country, and into England.


      Beginning in Stirling, follow in the footsteps of Scotland’s two great legendary warriors: William Wallace and Robert The Bruce and as we travel south to explore the sights and lands that these two men fought for.


      Leaving Stirling we’ll first head for Rosslyn Chapel where you can hear the tales of the Knights Templar before settling down in Peebles for a three night stay. From Peebles we’ll explore along the River Tweed and take in the Great Map of Scotland as well as the Great Tapestry of Scotland, learning about the historic industries of the borders: farming, mining and textiles.


      Understand how the Borders inspired the author Sir Walter Scott to write a series of ballads about its beauty and witness it through his eyes: from his home in Abbotsford House and his favourite view in the country, Scotts View.


      Leaving Peebles we’ll head west, crossing over Greymares Tail Waterfall and climbing up to Wanlockhead, Scotland’s Highest Village, before winding our way south, going beyond the border and settling in the beautiful Lake District of England.


      The Lake District is England’s largest National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll discover spectacular landscapes, picturesque villages, a warm welcome at our accommodation, and a experience the rich cultural heritage. We’ll also explore the fells, splash about on the lakes, have a wild adventure and take time to enjoy the peace.


      Once we are across the border and into England, we’ll take advantage of our base and will take a day trip to visit Hadrian’s Wall and Vindolanda. Hadrian’s Wall marked the border of the Roman Empire, and there are still remains and ruins to be seen today. Vindolanda is a fascinating archaeological site that shows just how the Roman’s lived – both officer and commoner. 


      To end the adventure we’ll head back north towards Stirling, stopping at Dumfries House, a beloved home of none other than the King himself and wind past the lochs, forest and rolling hills which make the borders truly unique.


      This whole tour will be peppered with the sounds and stories of Scotland. Experience music across the borders with a number of music sessions and concerts scheduled across the trip. Hear the songs and melodies inspired by the legends of this land.

      What’s included

      • 11 Days of fun!
        Please note the first day, your Arrival Day, only has an unofficial dinner and is an opportunity for you to settle in before events start the following day. Accommodation is still included this night.
      • 10 nights Accommodation
        Accommodation begins on Arrival Day and concludes when you check-out the morning of Departure Day.
      • Breakfast
        Breakfast will be included at the accommodation every day!
      • Dinners
        Three group dinners, and two private dinners, (five total) will be included in the tour cost
      • All sites & activities
        Any site, event or activity listed in the itinerary is included in the tour cost. No additional entrance fees will be required.
      • Near nightly Live Music!
        Many of the nights we share together will include private concerts with either local musicians or your tour leader (they have one show). We also take you to local pub sessions along the way!
      • Group Airport Transport
        We will provide 2 group airport shuttles on Departure Day. One will be early morning, and one late morning/early afternoon, depending on when passenger's flight times are.
      • Orientation Meeting
        Zoom meeting with tour leader, company directors, and other passengers to ask questions and meet people before the tour!

      What’s not included

      • Flights
      • Lunches

      Available Packages

      Double Room (double occupancy only)

      *Must be booked in increments of 2, as this if for traveling pairs sharing a double room. Not to be booked by solo travelers.


      This package comes with a double room (one bed) at the accommodations throughout the tour for sharing with your traveling partner. This is usually a double or queen sized bed.

      $3,000
      Deposit: $1,500
      Twin Room (double occupancy only)

      *Must be booked in increments of 2, as this if for traveling pairs sharing a twin room. Not to be booked by solo travelers.

      This package comes with a twin room (two beds) at the accommodations throughout the tour for sharing with your traveling partner. These are usually single or twin sized beds.

      $3,000
      Deposit: $1,500
      Single Room (single occupancy only)

      *For one person traveling alone or wanting their own room


      You will receive your own room, with a single (sometimes twin) bed at all the accommodations throughout the tour.

      $3,500
      Deposit: $1,750

      Available options



      Itinerary

      Day 1
      Arrival Day & Settling In

      Today we don't have any official activities, so that you may arrive, check-in and combat jet lag at your leisure. The hotel's check-in time will be 3pm, however if you arrive before then you can have them hold your luggage at reception in order to explore the town centre handsfree.

      In the evening there will be an unofficial welcome dinner (not included in the tour cost). Your walking guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and take you to a nearby restaurant where you will have the opportunity to meet your fellow passengers and prepare for the adventure ahead!

      Your Organizer


      SF
      Scotland Folk Tours
      6 reviews
      Our tours are for people who love music, travel and to meet the local folk! Listen to local voices of Scotland, providing you with some ‘up close and personal’ experiences of great music. Taking you to some of the most unforgettable and sensational parts of the country, our tour guides and drivers are arguably the best in the land. They have a deep fondness of their most incredible country, and years of experience. Equipped with stories of our past and our folklore, they will reveal to you some of the most incredible parts of Scotland.

      Reviews

      This trip exceeded our expectations! Perfect combination of scheduled events along with free time to explore on our own! The tour guides Fiona and Ben were the best and just made the trip even more enjoyable! our only snag was the arrangements to be picked up at the airport on our day of arrival did not go smoothly. We were never able to connect successfully with the driver and had many issues with the numbers we were provided to call. Finally had to book a taxi to our hotel. We would recommend having a more effective firm that would be there waiting for your arrival with your name at hand instead of having to try and make contact. That was the only issue and I would highly recommend this trip to anyone!
      By Kay C for Beyond the Tartan with Jason Wilber on May 19, 2024
      This was a great experience in so many ways: 1. Being able to see and explore the world heritage and neolithic sites in Northern Scotland. 2. Seeing much of Northern Scotland in the early Spring and learning more about Scottish history from our excellent guide, driver, and general man in charge, Murray. 3. Hearing wonderful music from local Scottish musicians in the evening. 4. Having great food and accommodations along the way. 5. The Scotland Tours people are uniformly helpful and pleasant every step of the way. 6. Having a great group of people to travel with and get to know. We will remember this trip fondly.
      By David H for Beyond the Standing Stones with Buddy Mondlock & Mike Lindauer on May 15, 2024
      Thank you for the review, David! This was such a thoughtful, concise and kind review. We appreciate you taking the time to leave it for us. We are thrilled you enjoyed yourself and we hope to see you on a future tour!
      By Scotland Folk Tours on May 16, 2024
      SF
      The perfect balance between being on your own and the convenience of a tour service. Well selected stops of interest, accommodations were above expectation, and there was ample time for exploring on your own. (Translation: Shopping.) Our guide/Driver Gail was just a gem; an expert driver which put everybody at ease, a great story teller, and a fine singing voice to add to the good times. This was our third trip with Scotland Folk Tours; we've already signed up for our next trip in 2025. Most highly recommended.
      By Charles S for Beyond the Borders with Harmonious Wail on May 13, 2024
      As always, it's lovely to hear your feedback Chuck. We're thrilled you had such a great time and look forward to seeing you again next year!
      By Scotland Folk Tours on May 14, 2024
      SF
      The trip exceeded my expectations! Murray and Fiona, our tour guides, were terrific and really made Scotland come alive. The almost nightly music was great. We made many new friends from the tour guides to the musicians to all the others travellers. A great group of folks!! We could not have asked for more.
      By Don G for Beyond the Standing Stones with Buddy Mondlock & Mike Lindauer on May 09, 2024
      Thank you, Don! What a lovely review. We appreciate your feedback and hope to see you again :)
      By Scotland Folk Tours on May 10, 2024
      SF
      GW
      I truly hated to see it come to end! Fabulous organizing and excellent value. The entire event was a neat balance between scheduling to get to very interesting sites and considerable leisure time. What can I say, Sims, Maggie and I found time to fit in Trout Fishing in Scotland—and we caught fish! Well, they did—I got skunked, but that didn’t matter—still had fun. Alexis’s planning is world class. Fiona’s knowledge of Scottish history is mind boggling. I am hard pressed to pick between Gail’s driving skills or her story telling abilities. And, Nori’s hospitality on our last night together, topped off the tour.
      By Gary W for Beyond the Borders with Harmonious Wail on May 02, 2024
      Thank you for your review Gary - how lovely to hear about your experience! We appreciate you taking the time to let us know you had a great time.
      By Scotland Folk Tours on May 02, 2024
      SF
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