Rosslyn Chapel, Edinburgh

I am thrilled to say I've been to Rosslyn Chapel twice this year, and loved it so much both times.
It is an easy bus trip from Edinburgh(about 30-40min from Princes Street), and so worth it. What was especially cool is that we had two different staff explain different things about about the chapel, what stands out to them, the stories and legends they had heard or researched, very cool!
They are in the middle of a huge restoration so there is lots of scaffolding on the outside, but the inside is still stunning. It was neat the second time we went there since I had read up in the tour book so I knew a few of the things to look for.
It is such a neat church, and absolutely amazing how well it has stood the YEARS of abuse!

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Immortalised by the Da Vinci Code. Dates back to 1400 something.

Well, I moved to Edinburgh in 1956, have been "in and around" ever since, and it took me until 2010 to get to the chapel. Nearest I'd been before then was a girlfriend who lived in the nearby caravan (trailer) park. (She was at an expensive private school, so don't go getting the wrong idea).

Not much to it - a tiny wee place. But then the small ones are often the best. A fascinating history.

Lots of renovations going on, so expect scaffolding etc.

£7.50 to get in.

Don't miss the ruined castle downhill a bit - spectacular setting above the glen.

Their website is very good.

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I visited this place during a day out with my mother a few years ago but didn't realise that I'd not written it up. We stopped off at a nice bar in Roslin for a bar lunch which was very good before heading down the narrow lane to the Chapel.

Entry is via a portacabin and when we visited the roof was totally scaffolded over. Not sure what the price was but I did see several people sneaking in via the back door of the gift shop although I could never condone such a thing.

The intricate carvings are well worth the effort though with the Apprentice Pillar being more of a centrepiece than the pulpit. The Chapel is on the edge of a cliff which was a bit of a surprise for me and I suppose that the place is now full of Da Vinci Code tours and the like.

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Achieving international fame by The Da Vinci Code and enjoying a constant stream of tourists since, the Rosslyn Chapel is a small chapel that packs a lot within its walls. Most notable is the intricate column carvings by the apprentice who was later struck dead by his master as the latter was furious that he had gone ahead with it before him-- never mind that the younger of the two did a much better job at it). The guided tour makes no mention of the sealed underground vault, but feel free to ask the friendly tour guides.

The sudden influx of tourists has its pros and cons-- the positive side is that there is a lot of money for lengthy restoration. Unfortunately for us tourists, this also means that it is impossible to get a picture of the chapel without any scaffolding. Take some, leave some.

Is it worth the bus ride all the way of out Edinburgh, you ask? 50/50. Come if you have time to spare.

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If you've read 'The DaVinci Code', you might be familiar with this place. You remember, toward the end of the book??

Currently (July '06), they are reconstructing the roof, and the church is surrounded by scaffolding.

Originally intended as a collegiate church construction work was stopped shortly after the death of its founder Sir William St Clair in the late 15th century leaving this little gem of a chapel untouched until a vestry was added almost 400 years later

there has recently been a great increase in the number of tourists here since its mention in the best selling book `the Da Vinci Code` by Dan Brown

It always was a chapel ripe to take part in a mystery story, the interior is full of symbolic carvings, and legends abound linking it to The Knights Templar, Freemasonry, the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail
below the chapel is an unopened vault, and there is much speculation about its contents [if any]

there are regular guided tours which are very interesting, there is also a gift shop and small cafe. the chapel is currently undergoing restoration, and is covered over, while this does nothing to enhance its appearance it does give opportunity to climb to the walkway around the roof and see the exterior carvings close up, also superb views over Roslin Glen, now a nature reserve

the chapel is open daily 9.30am to 6.00pm,
Sundays 12.00pm to 4.45pm
Entry Prices:
Adults £6
Concessions £5.
Children are free