Beyond the Borders with Passerine

Multidestination

SF
Scotland Folk Tours
  • Email address verified
83 reviews
Aug 25 - Sep 4, 2025
Group size: 18 - 25
Beyond the Borders with Passerine
Multidestination

Scotland Folk Tours
  • Email address verified
83 reviews

Aug 25 - Sep 4, 2025
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 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 to Ellisland - the farm of Rabbie Burns! We'll then go beyond the border and settle 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, winding 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!
  • 3 Group Dinners
    Three group dinners 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 1-2 shows).
  • Group Airport Transport
    We will provide 2 group shuttles to Edinburgh Airport on Departure Day. One will be early AM, and the other later AM. Transfer times will depend 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
  • All non-group dinners

Available Packages

Double Room (double occupancy only)
Deposit: $500
Available until June 26, 2025

*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.

$3,600
Deposit: $500
Twin Room (double occupancy only)
Deposit: $500
Available until June 26, 2025

*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.

$3,600
Deposit: $500
Single Room (single occupancy only)
Deposit: $500
Available until June 26, 2025

*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.

$4,100
Deposit: $500

Available Add-Ons

Arrival Day Airport Transfer
$150
Deposit: $0

This is a Meet & Greet Service! Once you arrive into the airport (either Edinburgh or Glasgow), we will have a driver waiting in the arrivals terminal with a sign and your name to pick you up and help with bags. The driver will then take you directly to the hotel. 


*Please note this is per group, not per person. Therefore please only choose 1 from the drop-down menu if your group is arriving together. 

Departure Day Airport Transfer
$150
Deposit: $0

This option is for you if you are unable to make one of the group transfers on Departure Day, but would still like a ride pre-arranged.  

T-Shirt
$30

We will send you options to choose from, and have the item ready on your Arrival Day!

Hoodie or Sweatshirt
$50

We will send you options to choose from, and have the item ready on your Arrival Day!

Additional Night at Hotel Before Tour
$250
Deposit: $0

If you would like to add additional nights onto your stay, we are happy to book this for you! *Please note this is dependent on availability

Additional Night at Hotel After Tour
$250
Deposit: $0

If you would like to add additional nights onto your stay, we are happy to book this for you! *Please note this is dependent on availability



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
83 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

Very congenial group. Guides throughout were wonderful to be with. Informative and helpful. Accomodations good for the most part. Golden Lion in Stirling was least likeable. Hot or cold rooms. Too many stairs for some. Food throughout was delicious. Mass dining hall at Peebles Hydro got a bit boring. Brea in Stirling was the best. Sightseeing was planned very well timewise and energy wise. The storyteller event was inspiring and should be oft repeated!
By Connie L O for Beyond the Borders with Kitty Donohoe on Jun 15, 2025
The musical host Kitty Donohoe, our first guide Fiona, and driver/guide Duncan were all outstanding.. Fiona and Duncan made the history of the region come alive. The local musicians were excellent, and very personable. Accommodations, for the most part, were excellent. The tour members were congenial, and made for good company.
By Gregory D for Beyond the Borders with Kitty Donohoe on Jun 14, 2025
This was a lovely trip with great people. I'm so glad I chose to see the Borders as my first time in Scotland. The scenery was beautiful - I would love to return. The various stops on the trip were interesting. I enjoyed the time on our own too - gave us a chance to explore and have some small adventures. The accomodations were generally good although there was one hotel without elevators and we were on the 3rd floor. Folks with small bags did best there. The Golden Lion Hotel was our last stop and was definitely the most worn of all of them - windows not shutting all the way, thread bare curtains, leaky plumbing. The KIng street aparthotel was the most modern although very lean on staffing presence. I think that's the better choice for Stirling accomodations in the future. The Stirling and Penrith locations were perfect for walking. Peebles was a little out of the way but doable when the weather cooperated. Really enjoyed the entertainment. Kitty was great. The performers at the Peebles Hydro and at the BBQ on the last night were outstanding. My very favorite was Taffy Thomas the storyteller - enchanting. Our driver/guide Duncan was always helpful, cheerful and very knowledgible. His driving was amazing. And I loved how he found music to play that fit the area - and the Wellies song was a group favorite. Food was excellent - although I think the BBQ had way too much food for folks our age. Would do it all again.
By Rebecca F for Beyond the Borders with Kitty Donohoe on Jun 13, 2025
Beautiful and educational. Fiona was very organized and very knowledgeable about Scottish History. She had everyone spell bound with her stories. Gail was a fantastic and safe driver. She could maneuver that bus like a small car! Her music and songs on the bus were timed to correspond with her stories and where we were in the country. It was like a traveling music show! She was also genuinely friendly and made it a point to get to know all of us. The spots that we visited were all beautiful. Gail allowed us plenty of time and bathroom stops! The music by Moors and McCumber was wonderful and the local Scottish musicians were great. It was a real treat to have music to ourselves most nights. The accommodations were all very nice. The Kintail Lodge was the best and the seafood was wonderful. The staff there made us feel at home. I really enjoyed the trip.
By Bonnie G for Beyond the Tartan with Moors & McCumber on Jun 13, 2025
I'm so glad to have had this experience. It was a great group of people, very congenial. The music was great and our guides were fun and informative.
By Nancy B for Beyond the Borders with Kitty Donohoe on Jun 08, 2025
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