Hi ....<BR><BR>I'm trying to decide upon 2 different tours and I'm having difficulty locating any information on one area to compare. <BR><BR>Out of Edinburgh, the choice for my days available are 'A Day in the Borders' or 'Lindisfarne & Berwick-Upon-Tweed'. <BR><BR>Has anyone ever done these tours through Grayline and/or familiar with these destinatins?? <BR><BR>Any recommendations? Thanks so much~!!

I've tried this twice and it hasn't taken yet . . . one more time<BR><BR>Well I can't help you with the tours since I do it on my own. But I do know both areas very well.<BR><BR>Lindisfarne is fabulous. The Castle, Priory and just the village ambience, causeway, etc. There really isn't too much IN Berwick on Tweed - a neat small museum but that's not likely on the tour itinerary. But if the tour includes a visit to St Abbs Head the scenery is as good as Big Sur in California.<BR><BR>The Borders area is also wonderful - but you do not say what is included. w/o that info it is hard to advise you. <BR><BR>If the tour includes visits to Melrose. Dryburgh and Jedburgh Abbeys and either Traquair House or Abbotsford then it would be very good. But being a "tour" it is likely you will spend some time in wollen mills and gift shops.<BR><BR>tell us more what the brochure says about what you'll "visit" (actually go inside) and what you'll "see" (drive by w/o stopping)

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Thank you for your help Janis <BR><BR>For Lindisfarne it says &lt;i'll try to condense&gt; The Holy Island - it doesn't really say what we'll do there, just that it's the first stop &lt;unless the tides are against us, then 2nd&gt;.<BR><BR>For Berwick it talks about the Wall and a stroll around the fortifications. Also the Berwick Barracks and the Borough Museum.<BR><BR>For the Borders it does say time to visit the Melrose Abbey or walk around the little town. LUnch at Jedburgh time to eat and view and shop. And weather permitting, a stop at Scott's View.<BR><BR>I am also going to have a car.....would you advise i just try to do it on my own? <BR><BR>The only thing i miss about that is the commentary of guides.....are there guided tours at those destinations that will fill me in? I love details and triva of history!!<BR><BR>Thanks so much!!

Maureen, if you have a car absolutely do it on your own; you can see some of the Borders and Lindisfarne in one trip. From Edinburgh head to Haddington (a nice old county town) then head south to Gifford, an interesting and picturesque “estate village” on the edge of the Lammermuir Hills (get a copy of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor for the tape deck). Cross the beautiful Lammermuirs on the B6355. At Duns cut back either to Kelso or Dryburgh (abbey and castle country), then retrace east along the A698 to Coldstream, cross into England and carry a little ways on the A697 until you see a sign for Etal. Stop for a pint and a sandwich at the Black Bull in Etal, the northernmost thatched pub in England. Then continue south to the B349 and out to the coast at Bamburgh, a fabulous village with a giant castle looming above the football pitch/town square. From there it’s a short drive north to the turnoff for the Holy Isle. After visiting the Holy Isle carry back up the A1 and/or A198 back to Edinburgh. Stop at St. Abb’s – great village and harbor. This is – I promise you – a fabulous day trip, a little long maybe but definitely worth the effort.<BR><BR>As far as the Holy Isle goes, I’d tend to skip the “castle” (more picturesque on the outside than inside) and focus on the ruins and beach, and just soak up the atmosphere of this incredible ancient place. If time permits in your travels, stop at Durham Cathedral (top of the oh-wow list) to get a real feel for the historical importance of this part of Britain.<BR>

Maureen - by all means, if you have a car do it on your own. For example - Scott's View is very near to Dryburgh Abbey (less than 5 minutes drive) and Abbotsford is just outside Melrose. All four are less than 10 minutes apart - but they obviously don't have time with the coach group. <BR><BR>You could easily do Jedburgh, Dryburgh, Melrose and even Kelso and a few other things in a fairly easy drive.<BR><BR>If you choose Lindesfarne - I agree with John - skip the hike to the Castle. But do prowl around the Priory and village. In a car the route I would take would be to Lindesfarne - check the tidetable w/ the TIC before you set out so you know your timing is right. Then skip Berwick and go to St Abbs Head. It is an easily accessible headland with lighthouse, sea birds by the millions, and amazing views. And after St Abbs Head head up to Tantallon and Dirlton Castles (the gardens at Dirlton are as good as any in Scotland and Tantallon is right on the cliff top) on your way back to Edinburgh.<BR><BR>Both trips would be easy and VERY interesting. If you don't have time to fit in both - I would let the weather decide me. If it is rainy or really overcast take the inland Borders route. And if it is gloriously clear - take the coastal Lindesfarne route.<BR><BR>Do use the car you won't be sorry - even without the commentary. Buy inexpensive guide books in Edinburgh, pop a Scottish music tape in the car's tape player and enjoy!

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