Welcome to our Extended Tours for 2023
Building on the success of our previous Creative Seekers Tours we are pleased to be offering a 9 day excursion to the Scottish Borders in July 2023.
Excursion Dates:
Sunday July 9th 2023 – Monday July 17th 2023
Your Guides:
Mark Nicol (UK) & Tebbé Davis (US)
If you have always dreamed of visiting Scotland & the Scottish Borders for reasons that teased your imagination;
Then
Creative Seekers
“The Borders and Beyond” 2023
is for you!
We are a small group tour operator originating in the Scottish Borders and outreaching to the rest of Scotland & parts of England to tell the tales of the Anglo-Scots Borderlands
Our Itinerary is customised to aid history buffs, spiritual seekers, family heritage research and general appreciation of the Scottish Borders beautiful landscapes and rolling hills
Accomodation
The Tontine Hotel dates back to 1808 and is the only building on Peebles High Street which is set back from the road, forming a small open square to the front of the building. The building takes its name from the way in which it was funded; the tontine principle, and it is thought that Napoleonic prisoners of war may have helped to build the hotel. A plaque on the front of the building commemorates this.
Nowadays, The Tontine is a family owned, comfortable and modern 36 room hotel with a popular restaurant, bar and bistro. Customer satisfaction is at the core of everything that we do and we take great pride in providing warm hospitality and locally sourced produce for a true Scottish dining experience.
Itinerary Highlights
(Subject to change)
Day 1
Sunday July 9 – Arrival and reception
Check into the Tontine casual buffet style dinner reception introductions
Despacho Ceremony
Day 2
Monday July 10 – Holy Island
Breakfast at Hotel
Bus trip to Holy Island
Lunch at Barn at Beal
Mystery Visit
Dinner on your own in Peebles
Day 3
Tuesday July 11 – Abbeys
Breakfast at Hotel
Melrose Abbey – Eildon Hills Hike or River walk
Jedburgh Abbey – Lunch in Jedburgh on your own
Dryburgh Abbey
Banquet at Barony Castle www.baronycastle.com
Day 4
Wednesday July 12 – Edinburgh
Breakfast at Hotel
Bus trip Leaving at 9AM to Edinburgh – Free day
Things to do:
Art Museum, Royal Mile, Giles Cathedral, Whiskey tasting,
Lunch at Pubs shopping
Bus leaves Edinburgh at 6PM
Dinner on your own
Day 5
Thursday July 13 – Peebles
Breakfast at Hotel
Walk to Cross Kirk
Visit House of Gaia
Group lunch in Peebles Pub
River stroll with deep dive into History of the Borders
Mystery excursion
Day 6
Friday July 14 – Rosslyn Chapel
Collegiate Chapel, Yews, Chestnuts
Stroll the grounds
Lunch in the Cafe on your own
Dinner with Dere Street Folk Band at the Tontine
Day 7
Saturday July 15 – Hadrian’s Wall
Bus trip to Hadrian’s wall visit Housestead
Sycamore Gap – Robin Hood film site
Lunch on the road “The Gun Inn” Ridsdale
Day 8
Sunday July 16 – Traquair House
Bus to Traquair House and Grounds
Lunch on the grounds at Cafe
Casual farewell dinner at Tontine
Day 9
July 17 – Farewell
Buses and taxis to airport or further your excursion
Meet your Guides
Mark Nicol
Mark, who has had a passion for the Scottish Borders his entire life,
created “Discover Scottish Borders” in 2012.
That project has produced over 300 films which brings forth the timeless remnants strewn
across the Borderlands dating back more than a millennia.
Mark has followed tips, leads, book passages and common historical
stories to bring to life the story of the Scottish Borderlands for all to see.
In 2018 Mark was a finalist for “Visit Scotland: Scottish Thistle Award”
The Oscars of Scottish Tourism.
Tebbe Davis
Tebbe Davis is an experienced tour guide in his native Asheville, NC.
His Tour company provides daily walking tours, day long excursions,
as well as step-on guides for motor coaches
visiting from around the States.
Tebbe is recognized as one of Asheville’s finest artists,
specializing in Abstract Cosmic landscapes (Cozmi-scapes).
Tebbe is also the founder of “Creative Seekers Tours” which hosts tours
of Scottish Borders, Highlands as well as Wales, and Ireland.
Tebbe is also a humorist and entertainer; performing in numerous local productions and performance art projects.