With the recent hype of the Da Vinci Code, no visit to Scotland is complete without dropping in on the 15th century Rosslyn Chapel. Looking slightly worse-for-wear than seen in the film, Rosslyn is currently undergoing a massive restoration project to ensure its future for years to come.
The sun shines through a stained glass window
Rosslyn Chapel was founded by Sir William St Clair in 1446. Taking 40 years to complete, the chapel is a mere fragment of the originally intended cruciform building.
Rosslyn Chapel was founded by Sir William St Clair in 1446. Taking 40 years to complete, the chapel is a mere fragment of the originally intended cruciform building.
Some of Rosslyn's intricate stone carvings
The most striking and unique feature of Rosslyn Chapel is the detail and significance of the stone carvings that decorate both the interior and exterior of the building.
The most striking and unique feature of Rosslyn Chapel is the detail and significance of the stone carvings that decorate both the interior and exterior of the building.
A carved angel at the base of an arch
The original colour of the stonework is starting to show through the magnesium fluoride masonry sealant applied in 1954 to stop the effects of damp. Unfortunately this process trapped moisture inside the stonework causing considerable damage.
The original colour of the stonework is starting to show through the magnesium fluoride masonry sealant applied in 1954 to stop the effects of damp. Unfortunately this process trapped moisture inside the stonework causing considerable damage.
The famous “Green man” carving
There are over one hundred carvings of the “Green man” inside Rosslyn. He is the pagan symbol for fertility and also symbolises the paralleled capacities of great goodness and significant evil. This carving is in the Lady Chapel.
There are over one hundred carvings of the “Green man” inside Rosslyn. He is the pagan symbol for fertility and also symbolises the paralleled capacities of great goodness and significant evil. This carving is in the Lady Chapel.
The stained glass window in the chapel's sacristy
The sacristy is believed to be older than that chapel itself. This window depicts the transfiguration of Christ and was installed in 1954 in memory of the 5th Earl of Rosslyn.
The sacristy is believed to be older than that chapel itself. This window depicts the transfiguration of Christ and was installed in 1954 in memory of the 5th Earl of Rosslyn.
The carved barrel-vaulted roof of the choir
The roof of the choir of the chapel is divided into five main sections, each containing their own sets of carvings: daisies, lilies, flowers, roses, and stars.
The roof of the choir of the chapel is divided into five main sections, each containing their own sets of carvings: daisies, lilies, flowers, roses, and stars.
The exterior of the baptistery and the west window
The baptistery at the west end of the chapel was added between 1880 and 1881. Above the baptistry was included an organ loft to house the chapel's 1872 two-manual organ.
The baptistery at the west end of the chapel was added between 1880 and 1881. Above the baptistry was included an organ loft to house the chapel's 1872 two-manual organ.
Under the iron roof: protecting the chapel
As part of the current restoration of Rosslyn, the whole building was covered, in 1997, by an external metal roof. This structure is designed to allow the chapel's saturated stonework to fully dry-out before repairs can be carried out. The process is expected to take several years.
As part of the current restoration of Rosslyn, the whole building was covered, in 1997, by an external metal roof. This structure is designed to allow the chapel's saturated stonework to fully dry-out before repairs can be carried out. The process is expected to take several years.
Exterior of the great east window
The temporary roof structure allows unique access to the roof and external areas of the chapel. Here the east window can be seen.
The temporary roof structure allows unique access to the roof and external areas of the chapel. Here the east window can be seen.
Looking down from the foof of the chapel
The tempory roof structure is designed to have no long-term impact on the chapel building and simply sits on the ground, weighted down by large piles of stone.
The tempory roof structure is designed to have no long-term impact on the chapel building and simply sits on the ground, weighted down by large piles of stone.
The fine carving along the roof-line
The detail of the stone carving is not restricted to the interior of the building. The external carving is just as intricate.
The detail of the stone carving is not restricted to the interior of the building. The external carving is just as intricate.
The carvings around the south door of the chapel
More of the external carving can be found surrounding the south door of the chapel creating a very grand entrance.
More of the external carving can be found surrounding the south door of the chapel creating a very grand entrance.