Archaeology Tours and Experiences for the Travel Trade

Bespoke Tours and Experiences

HARP provide bespoke tours and experiences for small groups of up to 12 people in the Scottish Borders. We offer unique activities that can be bundled together or we can design an itinerary to allow your guests to experience heritage sites in a way that isn't possible on regular history and archaeology tours. Our 'off the shelf' activities are listed below and can be bundled together to create itineraries ranging from 1 to 5 days.

Terms & Conditions, payment and cancellation policies available on request. To discuss further and book please contact us directly.

Prices listed below are for the 2024 season. 

Romans, Reivers & the Rough Wooing

Our full 3-Day or 5-Day itinerary can be booked for up to 6 people and includes two expert guides, transport, meals and accommodation. Prices start from £1,095 per person and the itineraries include a travel trade exclusive evening session with our archaeologists, where guests will be shown how to access free, online resources including historic maps and archaeological reports and catalogues providing them with the tools to continue their passion when their tour ends. These itineraries can also be provided without accommodation and meals, contact us for pricing and options.

Be an Archaeologist!

At Hume Castle and Village our two expert guides will allow your guests to delve into archaeology, using the remains of the medieval castle and village to learn how to read a landscape, identify and record archaeological sites and monuments. A day-long session that runs from 9:30 to 16:30 and can accommodate up to 12 guests. Price: £595. Does not include transport or lunch; local recommendations for lunch can be provided; group to meet at Hume Castle at the start of the day.

Explore past lives

At Hume Kirkyard your guests will take their first steps into exploring past lives with an interactive session at Hume Kirkyard led by our two expert guides; learn how to read a graveyard, explore the importance of symbology on gravestones, and understand what you can learn beyond the memorial inscriptions. Half-day or full day sessions are available and can accommodate up to 12 guests. Price: £495 (£350 half-day). Does not include transport or lunch; local recommendations for lunch can be provided; group to meet at Hume Kirkyard at the start of the day.

Siege and Power

An Archaeological guided walk and activity session to Roxburgh Castle, one of the most important sites in medieval Scotland. Your guests will learn the fate of Roxburgh, the de facto capital of south east Scotland in the High Medieval period, birth place (and death place) of Kings. Our two expert guides lead your guests on a riverside walk up to the imposing remains of the castle where they will experience the dramatic landscape and investigate the monumental remains, learning how archaeologists record and tell the story of historic buildings. Half-day or full day sessions are available and can accommodate up to 12 guests. Price: £495 (£350 half-day). Does not include transport or lunch; local recommendations for lunch can be provided; group to meet at Kelso at the start of the day. Can be paired with guided tour of Kelso/Kelso Abbey.

In the footsteps of the Reivers (and Romans!)

Join us for an archaeological re-telling of the Battle of Ancrum Moor, a pivotal battle during the Rough Wooing. Your guests will be led by two local experts on  a journey to the 16th century and will walk a section of Dere Street Roman Road to the site of an unlikely Scottish victory against the forces of Henry VIII. Half-day sessions are available and can accommodate up to 12 guests. Price: £350. Does not include transport or lunch; local recommendations for lunch can be provided; group to meet near Ancrum at the start of the day. Can be extended to include a guided tour of Ancrum/Ancrum Old Bridge.

Meet Your Ancestors

Give your guests exclusive access to a genealogy training session at the Borders Family History Society where they can learn about local family trees, or, if they come prepared, their own family tree. Guests will receive the tools to continue their research at home. The day starts with a guided tour of Galashiels, heartland of the Borders and home to an industrial heritage synonymous with weaving and textiles. Half-day day sessions are available and can accommodate up to 6 guests. Price: £350. Does not include transport or lunch; local recommendations for lunch can be provided; group to meet in Galashiels at the start of the day. Not available everyday. Can be paired with 'Mapping the Past' to create a full day package for up to 12 people.

Mapping the Past

Give your guests the tools and experise to delve into the past by accessing and analysing historic maps and databases. Our expert guides will lead them through the steps to archaeological research and allow them to investigate the history and heritage of their local area. Half-day day sessions are available and can accommodate up to 6 guests. Price: £350. Does not include transport or lunch; local recommendations for lunch can be provided; available in Galashiels or Newtown St Boswells. Can be paired with 'Meet Your Ancestors' to create a full day package for up to 12 people.

Meet the Romans

Give your guests the opportunity to meet the Romans first hand with special access to the Trimontium Museum and a 'Hands on History' artefact handling session, followed by a guided tour of the Roman fort of Trimontium. Half-day day sessions are available and can accommodate up to 6 guests. Price: £350. Does not include transport or lunch; local recommendations for lunch can be provided; group to meet at Melrose at the start of the day. Can be extended to include a guided tour of Melrose/Melrose Abbey.