Lothian

Rosslyn Chapel

A 15th-century chapel at Roslin, founded by Sir William St Clair and richly carved inside, famous from The Da Vinci Code.

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Welcome

In the village of Roslin, just seven miles south of Edinburgh, stands one of the most extraordinary buildings in Scotland.

Rosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 by Sir William St Clair, and from outside it is a small gothic church, bristling with pinnacles, gargoyles and statues in niches. Step inside and almost every surface is carved.

Pillars, arches, ceilings and walls are covered in stone flowers, foliage, figures, angels and beasts, and the meaning of much of it is still a mystery. The most famous carving is the Apprentice Pillar, wound with spiralling bands of intricate stonework, but every pillar is different, so take your time over each.

Its mysterious symbolism has fascinated writers and artists for centuries, and The Da Vinci Code brought it to a whole new audience. The chapel is still a place of worship, and the family of its founders still has links with it. It opens every day, with visits in timed slots, and there is a visitor centre with a coffee shop.

Before you go

Open daily, in 90-minute timeslots; book ahead to be sure of a place.

Where: Chapel Loan, Roslin, EH25 9PU.
Founded: 1446.
From Edinburgh: Seven miles.

Opening hours

Their website

Monday: 9am–5pm
Tuesday: 9am–5pm
Wednesday: 9am–5pm
Thursday: 9am–5pm
Friday: 9am–5pm
Saturday: 9am–5pm
Sunday: noon–5pm

Did you know

Rosslyn Chapel's carved Apprentice Pillar spirals with intricate stonework, seen up close.

Did you know

The Apprentice Pillar.

The most famous carving at Rosslyn is the Apprentice Pillar, wound with spiralling stonework.

Carved gargoyles flank an arched doorway on Rosslyn Chapel's facade.

Did you know

Founded in 1446.

Sir William St Clair founded Rosslyn Chapel in 1446.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Lothian

From outside it looks like a small gothic church bristling with pinnacles. Step inside Rosslyn Chapel and almost every surface is carved, with stone flowers, leaves, angels, beasts and figures on every pillar and arch. Sir William St Clair founded it in 1446, and the meaning of much of the carving is still argued over. Look for the Apprentice Pillar, wound with spiralling bands of stonework, and count the Green Men peering from the leaves. The Da Vinci Code brought it a whole new audience. It's still a place of worship, and visits are in timed slots.

Graeme Johncock

The famous Rosslyn Chapel was originally intended to be much larger and cruciform but after its builder William Sinclair died, his son decided to stop construction and put a roof on what was already finished.

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