Rosslyn Chapel built by William St Clair

Rosslyn Chapel stands on the edge of the Esk Valley, with a  gorge and a river below.
Construction was commenced in 1446 by William St Clair, Prince of Orkney.
No words can describe this Chapel and it must be viewed to be really appreciated.
Famous for its Apprentice Pillar which is one of the most impressive stone carvings in Scotland. This pillar is said to have been carved by an apprentice to the master mason. The master went to Rome to take an accurate drawing of a similar one there. When he returned, he found that his apprentice had completed the pillar, and made an exquisite masterpiece out of it. Instead of being delighted he is said to have  immediately killed the apprentice with a blow of his hammer. He was later hanged for his crime.Whether this is myth or based on a real event is not known.
Many Bible stories can be found depicted in the various carvings and also  intricate carvings depicting cacti and sweet corn, carved decades before the Columbus voyage of 1492.
The area around Rosslyn has played an important role in the history of Scotland.
Oliver Cromwell's troops used the chapel as a stable while they were besieging nearby Roslin Castle in 1650, however he caused no damage to the chapel. Speculation has it that as he was  a Grand Master Mason he showed respect for the building's many Masonic symbols...or  perhaps he knew of the "secrets".
Now the best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code has created a flood of visitors to the Chapel as the book maintains its position on the bestseller list.
In March 1997, a protective steel structure was erected to cover the Chapel so this magnificent building can be preserved for future generations.
Photograph Compliments of Dave Henniker

Rosslyn Chapel is situated seven miles south of Edinburgh on the A703 road to Penicuik