Rosslyn Chapel
Address: Chapel Loan, Roslin, EH25 9PU
Rosslyn Chapel is a chapel in the village of Roslin, 7 miles south of Edinburgh city centre. There is a regular bus service from Edinburgh to Roslin, which takes around an hour. If you prefer to drive, there is a car park on site. The chapel was built from 1446 in a Gothic style. Founded by William Sinclair, 3rd Prince of Orkney, as a house of prayer. In 1592, it was abandoned and gradually fell into ruin. But in 1842, Queen Victoria visited the overgrown chapel with Prince Albert, stating it should be “preserved for the country”.
Twenty years later it was restored and Sunday services resumed. Further conservation work has taken place since and in 2012 a new visitor centre was officially opened. Surrounded in myth and mystery, Rosslyn Chapel has connections with Knights Templar. It became the famous setting for the finale of The Da Vinci Code novel in 2003 and film adaptation in 2006.
5 things to do at Rosslyn Chapel
- Walk around the grounds and view in the intricate exterior of the chapel.
- Explore the interior and its amazing architecture, carvings and stained glass windows.
- Visit the stone crypt or sacristy, which would have originally been used as a burial chamber. Made famous by Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code.
- Listen to a talk from a Chapel Guide. Talks take place regularly throughout the day.
- Learn more about Rosslyn Chapel in the Visitor Centre.
