Rosslyn Chapel

On our last day in Edinburgh it absolutely poured rain.  We had to go and collect a hire car.  Once we had done that we set off away from Edinburgh towards North Berwick where we were staying for a night on the way to Bamburgh.

Colin suggested we go and visit the Rosslyn Chapel on the way.

Founded in 1446, as the Collegiate Church of St Matthew, Rosslyn Chapel today attracts visitors from far and wide, drawn by its unique and mysterious carvings and the beauty of its setting.

The chapel took some 40 years to build and its ornate stonework and mysterious symbolism have inspired - and intrigued – artists and visitors ever since. Today, there are countless theories, myths and legends associated with the Chapel, many of which are impossible to prove or disprove conclusively

Rosslyn Chapel’s beautiful stonework is incredible. But perhaps the highlight is the Apprentice Pillar. Yet the story behind this pillar isn’t so lovely, it’s actually a little scary. Here’s the condensed version of the tale.

While building the chapel, the master mason went to Rome for inspiration. He entrusted his apprentice to follow his instructions until his return. Yet the apprentice was an ambitious young man, so he started changing the designs and created this pillar himself.

If you thought this would impress the master mason, you’re gravely mistaken. When the master mason saw this beautiful the pillar, he was enraged by jealousy. He struck down the apprentice in rage and killed him.

No one knows if this is fact or fiction. But there’s some evidence supporting the story.

Firstly, there’s a carving of a young man with a mysterious cut on his forehead, possibly signifying the dead apprentice. And secondly, the history books tell us chapel construction was delayed at one point because of a violent deed.

The chapel has also been made more famous by the Dan Brown novel and subsequent movie The Da Vinci Code.

We attended a short talk about the chapel and learned that prior to the film about 30,000 visitors a year came to the chapel and since the book and movie about 75,000 people every six months visit the chapel.

We were expecting a quiet chapel in a rural location.  Well, the rural location is correct but when we arrived there was a huge visitor carpark, a visitor centre with café and gift shop.

The chapel was definitely worth a visit.  It cost 7 pounds pp to visit and worth every cent.  The volunteer guide who gave the talk was great and she told us the story of the apprentice and pointed out a few other interesting carvings.

A 10 minute walk down a country lane is a ruined castle and we decided to wander along and a look.  All that is left is one column but is rather beautiful, set in a very picturesque rural location.  It can only be reached on foot.

Colin outside Rosslyn Chapel

Me at the ruin or Rosslyn Castle