DaVinci Code Downward Dog
Not classic horror to be certain, but with its cryptic puzzles and secret passageways The Da Vinci Code sure has its spooky side. Rosslyn Chapel is a lot smaller than the movie makes it appear, but with its remarkable carved interior its grandeur is undeniable. And with the movie its level of visitation went through the roof. It now has a great visitor center to receive those wishing to tour.
Wandering through the center I saw reference to the ruins of Rosslyn Castle, which was not mentioned when you buy your ticket. Being quite the castle guy I had to ask about it, without posing the question I would not have known that it is a 10 minute walk from the chapel. The walk is a good decline, but well worth taking. After exploring the ruins to the extent possible (a section is intact and serves as a guest house) we completed the tour and returned to Edinburgh.
Sometime later back home The Da Vinci Code was on and I caught the end to compare what was on film to what I'd seen on location. And then I saw it, the last scene between Robert and Sophie takes place not outside the chapel as it seems, but on the grounds of the castle ruin below. So if visiting the chapel as homage to the film, you should really take the extra time to walk the hill and see the castle.
If you are visiting Edinburgh, Roslin (note the varied spelling) is just 45 minutes away by bus. You can pick that up on Princes Street (the other side of Princes Street Gardens from old town). The bus you want is the 37, and folks there are very pleased to assist you in getting where you need to go. Double check this of course in case they change the bus number, but such things seem to stay pretty consistent. Ask at the visitor center how to find the castle ruins, getting yourself there from the visitor center is a simple matter.
I should mention that although the chapel is a breath-taking sight, and that there is a downstairs as in the movie, they emphasize that the trap door to the sub basement is not real. There is no special subterranean compartment where the holy mother's remains may have been interred. But here's a question, if there were a secret underground chamber ... would they tell people?!
Wandering through the center I saw reference to the ruins of Rosslyn Castle, which was not mentioned when you buy your ticket. Being quite the castle guy I had to ask about it, without posing the question I would not have known that it is a 10 minute walk from the chapel. The walk is a good decline, but well worth taking. After exploring the ruins to the extent possible (a section is intact and serves as a guest house) we completed the tour and returned to Edinburgh.
Sometime later back home The Da Vinci Code was on and I caught the end to compare what was on film to what I'd seen on location. And then I saw it, the last scene between Robert and Sophie takes place not outside the chapel as it seems, but on the grounds of the castle ruin below. So if visiting the chapel as homage to the film, you should really take the extra time to walk the hill and see the castle.
If you are visiting Edinburgh, Roslin (note the varied spelling) is just 45 minutes away by bus. You can pick that up on Princes Street (the other side of Princes Street Gardens from old town). The bus you want is the 37, and folks there are very pleased to assist you in getting where you need to go. Double check this of course in case they change the bus number, but such things seem to stay pretty consistent. Ask at the visitor center how to find the castle ruins, getting yourself there from the visitor center is a simple matter.
I should mention that although the chapel is a breath-taking sight, and that there is a downstairs as in the movie, they emphasize that the trap door to the sub basement is not real. There is no special subterranean compartment where the holy mother's remains may have been interred. But here's a question, if there were a secret underground chamber ... would they tell people?!
DaVinci Code Downward Dog
