My new B&B hostess drew me a map to Rosslyn Chapel, which despite many turns, actually got me there by 6:10. ( The GPS wanted me to take roads that were closed for construction.) That gave me a few minutes to wander around the church by myself before the others came. Rosslyn Chapel was made famous as the final scene in The Da Vinci Code, but it's been a major site in Masonry and Scottish history for centuries. It's tiny! Probably it's only about twice as long and wide as our house in Layton. 
The whole church is covered in scaffolding and a tin roof has been built over the stone church roof. You can't even see the exterior. It seems the roof has been leaking for several hundred years, so about 10 years ago they put up the tin roof. It's taken this long to dry the stones out so they can work on it. Plus, since Da Vinci Code brings so many visitors, they now have money to do the restoration.
What an experience I had on the there! I was there in the evening for a vocal workshop. In August, 1200 people a day squeeze through. It's only open between 9:30-6:00. When we got there, it was of course already long closed to the public. It was completely deserted, but a nice lady met me and told me where to park (gates to the parking lot were about to be locked shut) and another let the two of us in. Counting the workshop leader, there were only 8 of us. We had the whole of Rosslyn Chapel all to ourselves for 3 hours!
First, one of the ladies gave us a guided tour. There are stone carvings everywhere. She'd brought tea and cookies for us (I had mint) and then we went down into the crypt to sing. It's smaller than our kitchen/living room, but it has a high ceiling and everything is stone and the acoustics are fabulous!
At the break we took photos and we also sang upstairs in the main part of the church. There was a wonderful feeling among the group of ladies, and it was a never-to-be-forgotten experience. If you ever come here, you must be part of a singing workshop. They do them 8 nights in July and August. Three hours alone with the carvings and a tiny group of people sure beats 30 minutes with 1000 of your closest friends!
The twisted pillar you see is not made of plaster. Everything is actually carved out of stone by ancient masons. There is lots of symbolism, much of which no one can interpret anymore. That pillar supposedly got it's carver killed, because he was an apprentice who carved it while the master was on crusade. When the master returned, he saw that it was obviously more skilled than his own straight pillars, so he killed his apprentice.
It was 10:00 and dark when we came out. I was a little worried about all the right turns to get home, but it seemed a lot shorter going back.
It was 10:00 and dark when we came out. I was a little worried about all the right turns to get home, but it seemed a lot shorter going back.
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