Guided Tours
Whilst the Samye Ling Grounds and Temple are open for visitors, we are not currently offering guided tours.
When we are able to resume tours, we will update this page.
Samye Ling hosts visits by a variety of groups, including schools.
Guided tours may be booked from Mondays to Fridays and should be arranged in advance, for a minimum of 10 people and a maximum agreed with our tour guide. As tours are booked by groups, usually a school or college for educational purposes, it is not possible to turn up and join an existing tour, so booking your tour well in advance is essential.
Day Tours
We offer day tours, which entail a tour of the temple and stupa, the chance to attend a Buddhist prayer session, guided meditation and an opportunity for questions and answers. Normally these tours are held between 10.30am and 3pm, though the times are negotiable. We can hold these tours for a minimum of 10 people and the charge for adults is £6 per person and children £3 per person.
School Tours
The charge is £3 per person for both pupils and teachers. Please also read the information for day tours above. We regret that school tours may not stay overnight. However, it may still be possible for schools to use outside accommodation and to book a tour of more than one day.
Booking Tours
In order to book your guided tour or for more information, please contact tours@samyeling.org.
Coach Route Instructions
If you are arriving by coach please advise the driver not to drive through Sibbaldbie because the road is narrow and there is a sharp turn over a narrow bridge which most coaches cannot navigate; therefore they have to reverse over a mile to get out, and this often results in damage. Instead please use the following route:
Leave the motorway at J17, and from the South turn right over the motorway bridge, while from the North turn left, and proceed down to the roundabout.
Turn left at the roundabout.
Follow the road until you see an overhead bridge with a saw mill, large white buildings and chimney stack on the right, and then turn right just before the bridge onto a short slip road up to a T junction.
Turn right at the T junction and follow that road for approximately 15 miles through to Eskdalemuir and Samye Ling.
Please take special care on the road as it approaches Samye Ling because there are some nasty potholes.
What to Bring
To ensure a safe and comfortable visit, please ask everyone to bring sturdy shoes, warm clothing and some waterproof clothing, including an umbrella. You will be asked to take off your shoes on entering the temple and dining room.
Bring a packed lunch or arrange beforehand with Reception to have lunch in the Samye Ling dining room (£5 per head). Refreshments are also available in the Tibetan Tea Rooms. If you are staying overnight it is advisable to bring a torch as we do not have street lighting here.
Contact Details
To book a tour contact tours@samyeling.org by email or write to:
Samye Ling Tours
Kagyu Samye Ling
Eskdalemuir
Dumfriesshire
DG13 0QL