Rosslyn Chapel, the story behind the myths

Dating back to 1446, the chapel sits in the picturesque village of Roslin and played a major part in Dan Brown’s controversial novel The Da Vinci Code. Scenes for the 2006 film adaptation starring Tom Hanks were also shot in the chapel.

There are hundreds of intricate carvings which depict everything from an angel playing the bagpipes to the curious riddle of the Apprentice Pillar. The chapel also boasts pinnacles and gargoyles, flying buttresses and even botanically accurate carvings of over a dozen different leaves and plants. Discover the stories behind the outstanding craftsmanship and these stunning creations, which cover almost every surface.

The rich and subtle figurative sculptures have given Rosslyn Chapel the nickname a ‘Bible in stone’ due to the symbolic portrayals of the Dance of Death, the Seven Acts of Mercy and the Seven Deadly Sins.

The chapel also provided inspiration for the great Scots writer Sir Walter Scott and has been the subject of many recently published books. These have drawn on everything from the Freemasons and the Turin Shroud to regular sightings of UFO’s across Midlothian.

Explore the fascinating history of Rosslyn Chapel and discover this stunning ‘cathedral in miniature’.

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