The Ramblings and Photos of a recycled teenager!!: Visit to and review of Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin, Midlothian

Superb architecture, good visitor facilities and a cat called William!

This is a place that I had always wanted to visit but had just never got round to doing. However, when the news broke that the scaffolding that had been surrounding the chapel for many years had been removed, I decided that it was now time to visit!

We checked the website for opening times and admission prices, and it was there that I saw the very disappointing news that there is no photography or video allowed in the interior of the chapel at all. I think this may be quite a new ruling, but it kind of took the shine off my excitement regarding the visit. It is OK however to take as many photos of the outside of the building as you want, as long as they are for personal use only.

On arrival we parked in the nearby car park and could immediately see that this was going to be a busy visit. We made our way up to the very nice visitor centre and after paying our admission we sat and had a coffee and cake to kill some time before the first presentation talk of the day. First impressions were good – nice little shop, café and toilets, and very pleasant and informative staff. There is lots of information in the visitor centre too, with interactive facilities for adults and children alike.

We then made our way to the chapel and, yes, it is impressive from the outside with its grand architecture, statues and carvings. Once we entered inside, it is simply stunning and such a shame that I missed out on many photo opportunities. We sat on one of the pews and waited for the talk to begin. The person who took us through the explanation was brilliant. She was funny and informative and so passionate about her job! One thing she did explain was that the most asked question about the chapel was “What’s the name of the cat?” The black resident cat is called William and he was sitting curled up on one of the pews not batting an eyelid at the many visitors milling around!

Please don’t go and visit expecting it to be exactly the same as the Holywood movie though, because a lot of the movie was done in the studios and not at the chapel!! It is however a fascinating place to visit – the weather was a bit dull during our visit, but on a sunny day it will look simply stunning.

Then, on your way home after your visit, you can ponder on the many theories and mysteries surrounding this wonderful place!!

I'll leave you with some photos that I took on the day.