Wbro Keith and his father Bro Gordon Newman outside Rosslyn Chapel
W Bro Keith and his father Bro Gordon Newman spent a day exploring the history of a most fascinating building, Rosslyn Chapel.
Rosslyn Chapel, near Edinburgh was founded in 1446 as a place of worship and services continue to be held there weekly. The Chapel has also been a popular destination for visitors for generations. By the late 18th-century, it was starting to appear on itineraries and its profile greatly increased after the publication of Dan Brown’s novel, The Da Vinci Code, in 2003, and the subsequent film.
Rosslyn Chapel was founded on a small hill above Roslin Glen as a Catholic collegiate church in the mid-15th century. The chapel was built by William Sinclair, 1st Earl of Caithness.
After the Scottish Reformation (1560), Roman Catholic worship in the chapel was brought to an end, although the Sinclair family continued to be Roman Catholics until the early 18th century. From that time the chapel was closed to public worship until 1861, when it was opened again as a place of worship according to the rites of the Scottish Episcopal Church, a member church of the Anglican Communion.
Since the late 1980s, the chapel has also featured in speculative theories concerning a connection of Freemasonry, theKnights Templar and the Holy Grail.
There are a number of masonic carvings in the building such as the one shown above. Perhaps the most striking stone carving however is the Apprentice Pillar shown here below. Legend has it that the Master Mason of the chapel was called away abroad to work leaving his Apprentice to carry on with the building. However, the Apprentice wanted to prove himself and designed a stone pillar far better than the Master Mason could have made. Upon his return, his rage was so much that he murdered the Apprentice before being hung himself for his crime.
For masons in Newcastle, the two hour drive is well worth it for the interesting masonic connections that you can see. Be sure to ask the guide for more specific information – she will point out the Wardens, tyler and inner guards too!
Information
Mon – Sat 09.30 -17.00 (last admission 16.30)
Sun 12 noon -16.45 (last admission 16.15)
Guides provide talks throughout the day, which are included in the admission price. These run at the following times:
Monday to Saturday: 10am, 11am, 12.15pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm
Sundays: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Adults £9.00 Concessions £7.00
A ticket lasts all day and most visitors spend between one and two hours during their visit.
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