Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ROSSLYN CHAPEL
The success of Dan Brown's novel
The Da Vinci Code
and the subsequent Hollywood film has seen a flood of visit-
ors descend on Scotland's most beautiful and enigmatic church
Rosslyn Chapel
(Collegiate Church of St Matthew;
www.rosslynchapel.org.uk
;
adult/child £9/free; 9.30am-6pm Mon-Sat, noon-4.45pm Sun)
. The chapel was built
in the mid-15th century for William St Clair, third earl of Orkney, and the ornately carved interior - at odds with the
architectural fashion of its time - is a monument to the mason's art, rich in symbolic imagery. As well as flowers,
vines, angels and biblical figures, the carved stones include many examples of the pagan 'Green Man'; other figures
are associated with Freemasonry and the Knights Templar. Intriguingly, there are also carvings of plants from the
Americas that predate Columbus' voyage of discovery. The symbolism of these images has led some researchers to
conclude that Rosslyn is some kind of secret Templar repository, and it has been claimed that hidden vaults beneath
the chapel could conceal anything from the Holy Grail or the head of John the Baptist to the body of Christ himself.
The chapel is owned by the Episcopal Church of Scotland and services are still held here on Sunday mornings.
The chapel is on the eastern edge of the village of Roslin, 7 miles south of Edinburgh's centre. Lothian Bus 15
(not 15A) runs from the west end of Princes St in Edinburgh to Roslin (£1.40, 30 minutes, every 30 minutes) via
Penicuik (it may be faster to catch any bus to Penicuik, then the 15 to Roslin).
A refreshing alternative to the mainstream tours is offered by
Celtic Trails
(
www.celtictrails.co.uk
)
, whose know-
ledgeable owner, Jackie Queally, leads guided tours of Rosslyn Chapel and other ancient and sacred sites covering
subjects such as Celtic mythology, geomancy, sacred geometry and the Knights Templar. A half-day tour of the
chapel and surrounding area costs £130 for up to three people, plus £33 per additional person, not including admis-
sion fees.
PENTLAND HILLS
Rising on the southern edge of Edinburgh, the
Pentland Hills
(
www.edinburgh.gov.uk/
at their highest point and offer excellent, not-too-strenuous walking with great views.
There are several access points along the A702 road on the southern side of the hills.
MacEwan's bus 100 runs four times daily along the A702 from Princes St in Edinburgh to
Biggar.
East Lothian
Beyond the former coalfields of Dalkeith and Musselburgh, the fertile farmland of East
Lothian stretches eastwards along the coast to the seaside resort of North Berwick and the
fishing harbour of Dunbar. In the middle lies the prosperous market town of Haddington.
