Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose & Scottish Borders Day Trip from Edinburgh

Rosslyn Chapel, the church of stone carvings

Rosslyn Chapel stands in the village of Roslin, about seven miles south of Edinburgh. It was founded in 1446 by William St Clair, Earl of Orkney, as the Collegiate Church of St Matthew, and it is famous for the density of its carving: every arch, capital and ceiling panel is covered in stone flowers, angels, stars and figures. Visiting Rosslyn Chapel is one of the best-known day trips from Edinburgh, and the default option here includes your entry, so you can go inside without arranging tickets.

Inside, look for the Apprentice Pillar, said to have been carved by an apprentice while his master was away, and for the hundreds of Green Men, faces surrounded by leaves, that appear across the chapel. Photography inside is normally not permitted, so take in the details with your own eyes. Opening hours change by season, and your guide will tell you how long you have on the day.

Legends and The Da Vinci Code at Rosslyn

Rosslyn Chapel has attracted stories for centuries. Some say it is linked to the Knights Templar and to hidden treasure, and these theories, which historians treat as legend, were the basis of the ending of Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code, published in 2003 and filmed in 2006. The book brought new visitors to the small village and made the chapel one of the most visited sites near Edinburgh.

Whether or not you believe the stories, the chapel is a work of art in its own right, and its symbolism of Christian and older images is well worth a slow look. If you are asking whether Rosslyn Chapel is worth visiting, the answer is yes for its architecture and carving, even if you have never read the book. The option without entry lets you explore Roslin independently instead.

Melrose and Melrose Abbey

Melrose is a picturesque market town in the Scottish Borders, sitting below the three peaks of the Eildon Hills beside the River Tweed. Its abbey was founded by Cistercian monks in 1136 at the invitation of King David I, and the red-stone ruins, carved with gargoyles and delicate tracery, are among the loveliest in Scotland. The heart of Robert the Bruce is said to be buried within the abbey grounds.

The town also has a claim to sporting history, as the birthplace of rugby sevens in 1883. It has cafes, independent shops and a pleasant square, so it makes a good lunch stop. Abbey entry is not part of the tour unless stated, and opening hours follow the season, so ask your guide how much time you have if you would like to go inside.

The Scottish Borders countryside

The Scottish Borders are a region of green hills, river valleys, ruined abbeys and old market towns, a landscape shaped by centuries of border conflict between Scotland and England. Sir Walter Scott lived and wrote here, and many of the views on this part of the tour are the same ones that inspired his stories and poems.

The drive is part of the appeal of a day trip from Edinburgh to the Borders, because you see quiet villages, rolling farmland and the Tweed valley that most visitors to Scotland never reach. Your guide gives the background on the border reivers, the medieval abbeys and the local landscape, and the small group means there is space to ask questions and stop for photographs.