I left Midlothian and took the
opportunity on my way to West Lothian to stop off to visit the historic Rosslyn
Chapel http://www.rosslynchapel.org.uk/
The Rosslyn Chapel, properly
named the Collegiate Chapel of St Matthew, was founded on a small hill above
Roslin Glen as a Catholic collegiate church in the mid-15th century.
Rosslyn Chapel and the nearby Roslin Castle are located at the village of
Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland.
The chapel was founded by William
Sinclair, 1st Earl of Caithness of the Sinclair family, a noble
family descended in part from Norman Knights from the commune of
Saint-Clair-sur-Epte in northern France, using the standard designs the medieval
architects made available to him.
 |
| With staff at the Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin who looked after me at lunchtime on Day 198 of my BRIT 2012 mile walk |
After the Scottish Reformation in 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.
In later years the Chapel has featured in theories regarding Freemasonry
and the Knights Templar. An extensive programme of conservation is currently
underway and donations can be made to the Rosslyn Chapel Trust here; http://www.rosslynchapel.org.uk/p/donate-I169/
The staff at Rosslyn Chapel were absolutely delightful and made me feel
very welcome. It was a pleasure to visit this remarkable historic building and
their Visitor Centre is superb.
From Rosslyn Chapel I then drove to Linlithgow http://www.linlithgow.com/ in West Lothian where I arrived prior to my afternoon walk at the
Linlithgow Palace.
 |
| Arriving at Linlithgow Palace, West Lothian in the Land Rover gifted Range Rover |
A royal manor existed on the site in the 12th century. This was replaced by
a fortification known as 'the Peel', built in the 14th century by English
forces under Edward 1. The site of the manor made it an ideal military base for
securing the supply routes between Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle. The
English fort was begun in March 1302.
In 1424, the town of Linlithgow was partially destroyed in a great fire.
King James 1 started the rebuilding of the Palace as a grand residence for
Scottish royalty, also beginning the rebuilding of the Church of St Michael
immediately to the south of the palace. Mary, Queen of Scots, was born at the
Palace in December 1542 and occasionally stayed there during her reign.
King James had it rebuilt between 1618 and 1622. However, the only reigning
monarch to stay at Linlithgow after that date was King Charles 1 who spent a
night there in 1633.
The palace's swansong came in September 1745, when Bonnie Prince Charlie
visited Linlithgow on his march south but did not stay overnight. The Duke of
Cumberland’s army destroyed most of the palace buildings by burning in January
1746.
 |
| With young people in costume at Linlithgow Palace, West Lothian - the birth place of Mary Queen of Scots |
The Palace is now in the care of
Historic Scotland http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/ and it was a pleasure
to meet some of the young people who volunteer as Tour Guides and also dress in
costume for visitors. It is a breath-taking building and it was a real treat to
be shown around and learn about the history.
Best wishes,
Phil