Roslin

Rosslyn Chapel, built in 1446 by William St. Clair, is the best stone work I've ever seen. The medieval craftsmanship and religious obsession is so unique. Originally constructed as a Catholic church, it reflects the belief of the era that commissioning such an exquisite place of personal worship could secure a direct path to heaven for the wealthy patrons. The chapel's stonework is unparalleled with its intricate carvings and stunning details that I will never forget. Each corner of Rosslyn Chapel is adorned with elaborate sculptures, from the famous Apprentice Pillar to the ornate ceiling decorations. Absolutely beautiful. Part of The Da Vinci Code was filmed here.

Wow, this place is epic. This is a must visit during your travels in Scotland. There history and architecture are amazing. There are so many studies on each sculpture in this chapel . You can suene hours looking at each sculpture. They have a cafe and a small bishop. The cafe offered subpar food, but my review is regarding the chapel. The shop offered unique chapel goods with tar tan patterns specific to the chapel. I recommend watching The Da Vinci Code Movie before visiting the chapel. I also recommend getting your reservation before you visit as I almost missed visiting this epic chapel during my travels. The tour guide is very knowledgeable inside the chapel. They have a YouTube channel as well. You can wander around inside and be outside. When I return to Scotland, I would definitely visit again.

Truly AMAZING!! We could have spent all day inside the chapel admiring the stained glass and architecture of the chapel. It is great for people of all beliefs and is truly a highlight on our European trip. Definitely a must visit for everyone.

An ABSOLUTE MUST VISIT. If you're thinking about it. Stop thinking and go. Just a short drive outside of Edinburg so why the heck not right?

This was a bucket list destination and I wasn't disappointed. I recommend it for Anyone who is Visiting Edinburgh

It is way outside of the city, about 40mins bus from city center. Bus is quite easy and cheap. But for me this chapel is not that interesting, very small gothic chapel. You just need to follow all the pictures self guide to find all the carvings. It's also known for the Da Vinci's code filming location. I didn't catch the tour, I think it's every couple hours. So I was not so impressed self guided. But do recommend take a minute to watch the videos by the gift shop; those has some interesting informations about some pieces.

Lovely first stop during our trip to Scotland. The building is just amazing and the staff is engaging and knowledgeable! Stunning grounds and architecture.

This is a stunning piece of architecture both inside and out however photography is not allowed inside the chapel which actually killed my soul but I adhered to the rules. Built on a small hill above Rosslyn Glen, the exterior is beautiful and historic with gargoyle waterspouts and stone carvings. Rosslyn chapel was once a Catholic Church but after the reformation in 1560 catholic worship was brought to an end. The interior is stunning as you walk into the chapel you are surrounded by amazing stone carvings from ceiling to floor of ferns, daisies, the green man with vines coming from his mouth to represent growth and fertility, angels and devils, the seven deadly sins and seven acts of mercy, beautiful stained glass windows, pillars with an interesting backstory (true or untrue, I'm not sure) about murder, the crypt that is featured in the Da Vinci code, it's all very fascinating and worth the trip. I also loved the fact that the Rosslyn chapel cat William has a reserved seat in the chapel, he certainly knows what side his bread is buttered! But honestly check it out, you won't regret it!

This is well worth the trip. If you only have a few days in Scotland, this is worth the visit. The St. Clair family has ensured docents help to lead the education of the history and story of the chapel, and the family. We have toured all of Scotland and several neighboring islands. This is on our must-visit list, no question. Plus if you don't know, it's only a short drive from Edinburgh, so you could taxi without a problem. Allow 2 hours at least for the chapel visit.

Excellent place to see really unusual art carved into the walls and pillars. The guide gave an excellent overview of highlights and was available to answer more ferrules questions after. It was a nice surprise that you can tour the crypt in the basement. It's fun to read about the site ahead of time then look for the carvings that interest you as you walk the church. There are hundreds of unusual things to see. Be sure to pet the cat then ask about his story. Everything there has a story. One disappointment is that you are not allowed to take photos inside the chapel. I'm. It really sure there is a valid reason for that since there is no artwork painted, only carved.

Just wow! Make the trip! Easy and cheap to get to from downtown Edinburgh using the bus. You can feel the history around every corner. Make sure to say hello to the cat!

This is the chapel filmed in the movie, Da Vinci Code and it's breath taking beauty has withstood the test of time since the 1400s! The sad thing is that they have a horrible no photo policy of the inside! That really makes me sad bc that's where you can truly appreciate the splendor in design of the stained glass and architecture. I spent an hour here wandering the outside and the inside and I was blown away by the serenity and peace here. They also have a tour guide that tells you some interesting facts and I enjoyed listening to her. Definitely this is a must see when you are in Scotland!

Rosslyn Chapel is so much more than just a place from a movie. With knowledgeable guides sharing the long history and fascinating things to discover at every inch, it was a delight to spend a few hours here. Plan to stay for one of the tour talks - you get all of the details and history. During the summer, there are local presenters that share what it was like to live during that time. The day we were there - it was presentation with period musical instruments.

My friend was visiting me in Edinburgh and he wanted to see Rosslyn chapel because of Davinci Code so we took the bus there in a Saturday afternoon. The bus is pretty easy to use and you can take #37 bus from princes st (just outside of M&S) and takes about 45-60 minutes. The bus stop is a walk to the chapel, but it's not too far and the bus ones around every hour on Saturdays, probably more frequently on the weekdays. The chapel is pretty small and there's always someone who talks for 30 minutes about the history of Rosslyn and points out interesting sculptures. There's a lot of different things to see so spend about an 30 to 45 min just to see the sculptures on the walls and ceilings. The outside of the chapel also has a lot of nice sculptures to see so make sure you take time to walk around and take pics or selfies! Theres a small gift shop and that sells loads of Rosslyn chapel goods and a cafe that sells a really good hot chocolate! This place is a great place to go to on an afternoon if you have 3-4 hours and you want to pretend like your searching for the holy grail

I went into this place with a friend who is a local here. I will admit that I was not super stoked to hear we were going here as I get a little uneasy in religious buildings, I've had too many people try to hug me at them. But this was more of a museum. Interestingly enough this little chapel has some crazy history to it and for years it was neglected and forgotten. In fact, it was not really known much until the movie the Da Vinci Code was filmed here. Since then they started tours and build a whole gift shop and restaurant. I am pretty glad that we stopped by here after all. The story behind this place was amazing and the lady doing the tour did a great job! If you have the time, check it out! Just be sure not to take a photo inside of the building or they will be pissed!

Loved this! First, it's pretty easy to get there, just grab one of those tour busses from by Waverly Station, and it takes you there! It is a working church, so keep that in mind when you're lumbering around being an obnoxious tourist. The docents working there are very friendly and knowledgeable and you can feel the pride they have for this place. It is absolutely stunning! You cannot take any pictures inside the chapel itself, but that would just distract you from all the history being poured on you. There's a fun little scavenger hunt within it too, so make sure you find everything! The gift shop is lovely, and the little cafe is also very nice, and has GF options! Very clean, friendly and gorgeous place. Must visit if near Edinburgh!

Rosslyn Chapel is well known all over the world because of Dan Brown and "Da Vinci code". Still, you have to go there to feel its mystic power and splendor of the new and old age. No doubt, the outside has been redone and should be save from weather affected erosion for another 100 of years. FINALLY, the scaffolding has gone as well. Apparently it had been there since 1997. I go there quite often, be it for the Sunday morning service or to sit on a bench looking at the ceiling covered with amazing freemasonry art work or to join a guided tour around the inner and outer area of the chapel or to explore the downstairs area, which you could consider as part of the vaults. Having said this, the vaults are still locked and not accessible for tourists nor anybody else I would guess. Who knows what is hidden in the grounds of a 12th century chapel. I have seen a lot of churches and chapels and everyone unique in their build, but I am very amazed by this masterpiece that you can call Roslyn Chapel. I believe that the chapel is still property of the Sinclair family and one of the W. Sinclair's even fought with Robert the Bruce and was meant to take his heart to the Holy Land. Sadly he was killed on his pilgrimage, but the heart luckily returned to Scotland (today's Melrose Abbey). With the many tourists a year and its new found fame the trust was able to save money and build a "modern" visitor centre attached to the site, which can be convenient if you need a toilet or enjoy a cuppa and rest your laurels. The visitor shop is not cheap, nevertheless tempting to spend your well earned money. Entrance to the chapel is £9 and if you are lucky enough to be a "LOCAL" you sign up for a yearly pass and can go as many times you like. WHOOP!

What can you say about Rosslyn Chapel other than it is truly an ecclesiastical wonder of the world? If I had more time, I could write a book about the place, as many already have. When I first visited it many years ago, it was peaceful and quiet with an almost neglected air about it and relatively few visitors. Inside it felt damp and musty, and the roof was green with moss on the inside thanks to the years of water ingress saturating the stonework. Then along came the Rosslyn Chapel Trust, whose first major endeavour was to build the vast scaffolding 'umbrella' over the building to allow it to dry out naturally. That took about 15 years. It wasn't pretty to look at, but it did allow you to study the roof stonework closely from the upper walkway that was installed, which was some consolation. Now the scaffolding has gone, the inside has dried out, and the roof has a nice new lead cover to keep it watertight. Then along came a certain American novelist who decided to popularise it, and suddenly visitor numbers (and the funds of the Trust) went up exponentially. There's no doubt that it has been great for the restoration of the building as it has allowed much essential work to be done, including the construction of the shiny new visitor centre providing much-needed extra cafe and shop space as well as better toilet facilities; but it's now well-nigh impossible to get any quiet time in the chapel itself due to the throng of bodies. My advice is to go out of season and even then go first thing in the morning as soon as it opens. Do try and take a 'tour' - more of a 25-minute lecture really - with one of the guides. They're all very knowledgeable about the place and will point out some of the more interesting carvings with a laser pointer as you sit in the pews. Each guide has a slightly different take on the legends and history; I've done three of them now and have learned something different each time. Don't miss the older chapel-cum-sacristy downstairs either. For me, it has a more 'special' atmosphere than the upper chapel. Make sure you study the walls carefully as the stones are covered with masons' marks, the most notable one on the north wall showing the geometric construction of a window arch. When the upper chapel was being constructed, the master mason would have drawn out these forms here on a floor covered with sand for the stone masons to work from. It's rare to see these 'behind the scenes' construction drawings. The side chamber to the left also has lots of masons' marks, but you will need a torch to see these. Expect to visit more than once - it's a place you will want to return to again and again.

Very important to go here when you're in Bonny Scotland. It's not that far from Edinburgh and no, it's not to come and pray. This is a very interesting historical place, that has no 'peers' in the whole world I think. It might not be the hugest of chapels, but imagine that this small chapel should have been a small part of a huge cathedral, and the story comes to live. The chapel was founded in 1446 by Sir William St Clair, who thought he needed some extra points for the after life. When he finally died in 1484, the current chapel was ready and the whole cathedral that he had in mind, never came to pass. The current Earl of Rosslyn still runs the place, now a charity foundation. Hence the entrance price (not too bad, 9 pound) and the booklet by his hands (6 pound). It's a code work in stone, so to say. If you ever visited Sainte Chapel in Paris and the blue and golden tiled chapel of the tile museum in Lisbon, Rosslyn might seem bleek, dull. But once you step inside and you see the enormity of the symbols, all carved in stone, you need to sit down for a little while and let things work until you can stand up and walk around. Every hour on the hour a volunteer guide tells the overview story of the the chapel and I can recommend to sit down and listen to it, it's fun and informative, even if you have read the book already. There are some really fun stories about what you get to see inside, like the one of the master mason and the apprentice: while the master mason was travelling to find inspiration for the pillar next to the altar, the apprentice dreamed about how to do, did it and got killed by the master mason upon return, green with envy.... and got hanged for that deed. Outch. I will post a picture of the outside of the chapel, coz inside there's no photography allowed.....

Having read, many years ago, Dan Browns Da Vinci Code a visit to Rosslyn Chapel was called for. My partner had been many years ago when it was covered in scaffolding. Now, restored, the visit was thought provoking. A nice visitors entrance and information centre has been added and, of course, an entrance fee. That money is needed for the upkeep of this wonderful chapel. A lot smaller than I imagined but what it acks in size it gains in interest. Forget the enigma introduced by Dan Brown and just wander a take in the wonderful sculpting of that stone. A truly fantastic few hours, and, trust me you will need that length of time. Please note that photography, inside, is not allowed.

Lovely little chapel. Well worth a visit. Recent renovations have almost been completed. The steel roof & scaffolding are now all gone. There's some ongoing repairs to the stonework outside but what a difference from my last visit 3 years ago. We arrived just in time for a tour by Neil, one of the guides. He was informative & witty & I'd recommend the tour. It was only 25 mins but covered the history & tales of the chapel. The new visitor centre is great & has little pods showing videos, there's a small interactive zone & a great wee cafe with an outside terrace that overlooks the glen. The castle ruins are a 5 minute walk from the chapel & you can also walk down into the glen itself. Definitely a great way to pass a few hours in some beautiful countryside. Lothian buses run to Roslin so it's easy to get to, too. It's a perfect place to escape the city especially if you need a break from the Festival crowds.

When I was told about Rosslyn Chapel upon moving to Edinburgh, I filed it away as a possible venture to do somewhere down the road. Not because I'm a huge Dan Brown fan, which seems to be Rosslyn Chapel's latest claim to fame, but because I work just up the road and find old structures in any regard to be pretty excellent. I'm pleased to report that Rosslyn Chapel actually exceeded my expectations! I managed to drag my visiting American parents along with me on our venture all throughout the Pentland hills, and Rosslyn was the cherry on top our stops that day. To start, it's a little pricier to get into Rosslyn Chapel than most free or donation-encouraged places in the city, but at 9 pound for adults or 7 for concession, it's not so much that you'll feel heart palpitations. To me, nine pounds was totally worth it for a free talking tour and the ability to wander about the entire place unchecked. Not only that, but besides access to the grounds themselves, you can also explore a technology-heavy, interactive visitor centre, complete with touch screens adapted for a variety of different languages. So if you didn't quite grasp the numerous English signs inside, you can explore with remarkable dexterity on the screens inside the Centre. They take you piece by piece through each carving or symbol within. It's seriously really nifty! And what a place it is! Although the Chapel itself isn't huge by any means, this ancient structure is overflowing with symbols and beautiful stone carvings. The outside is striking enough, but the inside... Man. Who even had the time to do all that?! My only beef therein lies from the fact that you're urged not to take pictures inside. However, when William the chapel cat showed up to say hello to my parents personally, I couldn't resist a cheeky shot or two. In the end, Rosslyn Chapel is a fantastic joint for people with interests in ancient architecture, religion, history, or perhaps a film that happened to do a spot of filming there. ;) Or, even people who like furry local celebrities! You're liable to enjoy yourself here immensely if any of the above things strike your fancy! So go forth and Chapel!

Don't get tired off seeing this place or even a walk round with the dog Ron. Think of its age and who was there 100 years ago or 500 years ago. Just makes you think and of course standing were Tom Hanks did Go along it's just such an amazing place and of course the wee village of Roslin has a few shops and A pub So Cheers Dr George Mcglashan

Such rich history in Scotland. It is a historic monument and must see when visiting Scotland. The entrance fee is 9 pounds, this goes directly to the upkeep of the chapel. Every hour on the hour a guide provides more details into the history of the chapel and all of its artistic motifs. The information provided was easily digestible. The carvings inside the chapel are all originals which is awe inspiring. There's a gift shop and cafe along with quick video briefings that provide a quick educational tour before going into the chapel. I recommend bringing along a sweater and scarf as it's quite cold inside and outside of the chapel.

upside pentagram we got there as soon as the opened thinking that we would beat the crowds but it seems everyone had the same idea. so don't rush to get there. It's a small chapel and fills up easily. the grounds it's set on are beautiful and there are a few walks you can take quite close to it. ps they serve the best hot chocolate in Scotland. I went into the crypt and spied an upside down pentagram carved into one of the walls. ?????

First, allow me to declare that this is only a review of the bathroom facilities at Rosslyn Chapel. Bathroom reviews are all I do; they are my reason d'être, if you will. And you will. I have never read Dan Brown's plagiaristic rewriting of the fine work of fiction known as "Holy Blood, Holy Grail", but I did read the original by Baigent, Lincoln, and Leigh, and have wanted to visit Rosslyn Chapel since that time. Fortunately for me, I made a trip to Edinburgh, and took a taxi out to Rosslyn Chapel to make that dream come true. Unfortunately for me, I made that trip after having a few whiskies on Rose Street, and, thus, felt the strong need to take a leak upon arrival. At Rosslyn Chapel's entrance is a visitor center, in which you can pay for admission to the grounds, or shop for souvenirs, and, if I remember correctly, also grab a bite to eat. We paid our entrance fee, and proceeded onto the main grounds of the Chapel. The Chapel was fascinating, but contained no restroom facilities whatsoever. Not even in the basement. Believe me, I checked. Luckily, the visitor center did, and those facilities were nice and clean, and well-maintained. My compliments to the janitorial staff for keeping the restroom facilities so spotless. Oh, and also to the tour guide, for doing such a fantastic job of tour-guiding, as well. But, like I said, this review was about the bathroom.

The Rosslyn Chapel (circa 1446) is one of Scotland's most beautiful, magically aesthetic and remarkable buildings; don't just take my word, visit it!!!

With a name like mine I have to dismiss all connections with that book! If the scaffolding is still up over it then go up and look..amazing. Look at especially the Appentices Pillar and the masons plans scratched into the walls. The chapel was founded by William Sinclair, 1st Earl of Caithness. The family testified against the Templars when that Order was put on trial in Edinburgh in 1309 and yet it has the Templar symbols. Let me tell you a story. The Legend is the Knights Templar escaped here, with trasure, from the Temple London. The Grand Masters are buried in the inaccessible crypt. A team of archeologist drilled a hole and lowered a camera..it stuck..bigger hole it stuck. Dropped a tube through..lowered camera..it stuck. They gave up. One said it was as if a mailed fist grabbed the camera and said No you don't I asked the curator..he said no more archeologists. We need tourists money for upkeep. If they proved the legend untrue would folk still come? I would! This place is amazing!

Rosslyn Chapel did not disappoint. Gorgeous architecture, landscapes, cute town, and best of all - The people working in the Chapel were insightful and so polite and knowledgeable. Truly recommend..

Rosslyn Chapel has become an exceptionally popular attraction since the release of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. But over and above the hype stirred by this book/movie, a visit to the chapel is an absolute must as the architecture and intricate carvings are none like you have ever seen before. The history of the chapel is cloaked in secrets relating to voyages of discovery, the Freemasons and the Knights Templar. The detailed carvings and decorations that span the interior of the chapel, hint at the influence and power of the Freemasons during its construction. Additionally, abundant sculptures of flowers, vines and Green Men link the chapel back to the importance of nature, creating a unique canvas of expression. Trying to describe Rosslyn Chapel is like trying to describe the Mona Lisa it is impossible as no description or review will ever do it justice. The chapel is so rich in history and detail that one needs to see it to believe it. Informal tours are operated within the chapel every two hours or so. The tours are free and give some useful background information. The chapel is about seven miles outside of Edinburgh and a number 15 Lothian Bus, which you can catch along Princes Street, will take get you there for a pound each way.

A highlight of my trip to Scotland. I loved the grounds. I loved the CAT. I loved the stone carvings and stained glass windows in the chapel. O learned a lot about the stone masons, something important to me because my father and grandfather had been masons. i could picture The Da Vinci Code being filmed there.

Probably going to have a lot of folks disagree with me but eh I thought this place was a bit overrated . Only really a tourist trap now that it was in a movie. Have seen plenty of other beautiful and older chapels throughout Europe . Bit expensive as well. Go here once to check it out I suppose if your doing the touristy thing here in Scotland . Interesting but I won't be coming back.

Have been to this chapel a few times & would go again. I love it's history & the building. It's a shame it is covered but if that makes it last a few more hundred years then it's worth it. It always supprisese me about the temperature inside even on a hot summers day it's freezing. The ornate but crumbling images on the walls are out of this world Always a busy place for tourists.

Arriving at Rosslyn Chapel I was shocked to see how many tourists were there. It was a cold, wet September Monday! Some people will think that you can go to Rosslyn and not pay to go in, just look at it from outside, well you can't. Pretty much the whole area is walled so you have to pay to go in and see it. There was a talk from one of the guides which was very informative and interesting, if you go, make sure you catch this. All round, its a strange place, there wasn't much of a 'chapel' feeling to it for me, I decided that it was more of a templar building, I guess you can go and make your own mind up though.

Obviously this chapel has had a lot of play since the Da Vinci Code, but don't let that put you off. When we visited it a few years ago it was undergoing a renovation, so we were not able to fully appreciate the outside of the building, although we did get to climb the walkways around it and see some carvings up close. Inside it has an array of delightful sandstone carvings , my favourite being a devil tied up with ropes and the famous helix pillar. The chapel itself is set in the idyllic Rosslyn Glen, a great place for a picnic on a sunny day. Sadly, if you are without a car it can be a real pain to visit, but we just hitched a ride with friends in order to make the visit.

The immediate connection is with that book. Tourists now flock to the chapel,and they are not disappointed. The history is palapable,the architecture spectacular and the sense of being in a religious expereince exhilarating.