Conservation
Scottish Tourism Minister visits Chapel
Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Tourism, visited Rosslyn Chapel on 27 June to launch the new Midlothian Tourism Action Plan. The Action Plan, developed by Midlothian Tourism Forum, sets out a framework for developing the local tourism industry from 2013 to 2015. In his first visit to the Chapel, Mr Ewing commended the range of…
Historic visitors’ books returned to Chapel
Two visitors’ books, dating back nearly 110 years, have been returned to Rosslyn Chapel after being discovered in a house in Fife. The two books, recording visitors to the Chapel from 1904, were uncovered while clearing a house in St Andrews and were handed in to Chapel staff last week. Although visits to the historic…
Chapel free from scaffolding – for now
Visitors to historic Rosslyn Chapel can now enjoy a clear view of the building without scaffolding for the first time in 16 years – at least for a little while – as the major conservation project at the Chapel draws to a conclusion. Conservation work to the Chapel began in March 1997, when a freestanding…
More exterior stonework revealed
More of the Chapel’s exterior stonework has been revealed this week as further scaffolding has been removed. The stonework on the Chapel’s west elevation, including the Baptistery, is now almost free from scaffolding, following work to repair fragmented statues, replace decayed stone, fix loose decoration, fill cracks, remove acquired grime and fill construction joints with…
Commended at two Scottish Awards
Rosslyn Chapel’s conservation project and new Visitor Centre were commended at the 2013 Scottish Design Awards, in a ceremony in Glasgow on 30 May. The Chapel was then highly commended by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland at their 2013 awards in Edinburgh on 12 June. Designed by Architects Page/Park, the Visitor Centre houses…
Further work to stained glass windows
More of the Chapel’s stained glass windows have been removed for conservation work. Mark Bambrough, of the Scottish Glass Centre, said: ‘Due to extreme paint loss, the stained glass windows are being removed to enhance their legibility for the benefit of the congregation and visitors; this is part of a process to return them to…
More scaffolding comes down at the Chapel
More scaffolding has come down this week at Rosslyn Chapel, as the major conservation programme draws to an end. Nic Boyes, of Nicholas Boyes Stone Conservation Ltd, said: ‘The recent improvement in the weather has allowed us to complete conservation treatments to the north and south transept walls and west elevation masonry. Vastly improved wall…
Service to mark key date for Rosslyn Chapel
A special service was held at Rosslyn Chapel on Sunday 21 April to commemorate a significant event in the Chapel’s history. Rosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 but, following the Reformation, services stopped being held there 1592 and did not begin again until the Chapel was re-dedicated as a place of worship on 22 April…
Visitor Centre in shortlist for prestigious award
Rosslyn Chapel’s new visitor centre has made the shortlist for Scotland’s most prestigious architectural awards. The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) received 75 entries for its 2013 awards and Rosslyn Chapel’s visitor centre has been included in the shortlist of 25. The award judges will visit in the next few weeks before winners…
Chapel reaches 1,000 followers on Twitter
The number of followers of Rosslyn Chapel on Twitter has today reached the milestone of 1,000. Ian Gardner, Director of Rosslyn Chapel Trust, said ‘Following Rosslyn Chapel on Twitter is an excellent way to keep up with the latest news and find out about forthcoming events and activities. It’s great news to see the number…