Pilgrimage to Rosslyn Chapel

[GillC]

Days trip out from Kirkhill Mansion, campsite, to Rosslyn Chapel. backwater roads and tracks, saw traffic only on the main roads.

The rain lasted about as long as it took her to put this on!

Lovely countryside under the Pentlands

We set off before 8,,campsite breakfast was at 10,,not much point hanging around just for that,,figured we would get something on the way. Unfortunately it was about 4.5 miles to the first shop,,literally a corner shop,,halal chicken and sweetcorn wrap just isnt a breakfast is it????

Didnt really intend going into the Chapel itself,,,£8.75 each!!

How much to get in????? HAHAHAHAHA!

but once we got there,,had a coffee and a bun,,just didnt seem right to walk on by.

Views to the Pentlands from Rosslyn

Amazing building with an even more amazing history. Well worth the trip. Unfortunately, no photography allowed inside the building which is a shame,,,every inch of the interior is carved and sculpted and almost no 2 areas the same.

Side view of the chapel,

Rosslyn,,still under some scaffolding for stone restoration

Had another coffee when we came out then decided,,with the help of the young man in the coffee shop, to venture down into the bottom of the wooded glen to the river, follow it up for a mile or so.

Wallaces cave, above the river, FREEEEDDDOOOOMMMM

Just hanging around,,,

Went as far as just opposite Hawthornden Castel, now a retreat for writers.

Hawthornden retreat

Climbing back up on to the top of the surrounding lands, we headed back towards Roslin village, passing the memorial to the Battle of Roslin, 1303, apparently a certain Mr R de Bruce was hanging around these parts at this time.

Battle memorial - 709 yrs ago

Time was getting on, so we opted to return by the same route we came in on, small shortcut under the Chapel, via a wee bridge at the castle.

Medieval tomb pose...early version of planking!

By about the 13mile mark,,legs were really feeling tired and heavy,,then we remembered,,,that big hill in the last half mile,,,UP HILL,,,seemed like a breeze on the way out,,well it was down hill at that point.

So, long walk, smashing countryside and amazing surrounding and chapel at Rosslyn.

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[pollyh33]

Brilliant report Gill!

You and your pals always seem to manage to have a great day out no matter what the weather is like

Thanks for posting this. I had always fancied visiting the chapel but was put off because of that Dan Brown pile of poo!!!

I'll definitely make a point of getting over there soon.

Cheers,

P X

[GillC]

Oh,,get yourself out there,,there is a very slight mention of the film during the curators talk,,but only to talk about the impact of the HUGE increase in visitor numbers,,which has allowed them to create the visitors centre and finish the works (well,,nearly finish) Spectacular wee place, and amazing history. GO!

Thanks for the message,,indeed,,we always make the most of our days out.

[Bod]

Yes, a lovely way to go and see Chapel. Been meaning to visit properly now for a long time. Like the hanging around part

[GillC]

Thanks Bod,,even had accompanying monkey sound effects on that one,,lol,,, Saw your fab report on 5 Sisters, would love to get that under my belt,,my friend is one of 5 sisters so is keen to take on the symbolism,