reddy2go2

We will be in Edinburgh for 1.5 days late March. We plan to see the castle, royal mile and Hollyrood Day One. Saw that Roslyn chapel, interesting to my two DSs because of the Da Vinci Code, is not too far away. Is it worth a visit given our short time in Edinburgh?

Thanks for your feedback!

heartofthesouth

as a fan of the Da Vinvi Code "I" would want to go no matter what anyone else said about it. It's not so much what it looks like or if it's a big attraction...it's the simple fact that it was a big part in the book.

spaarne

Bus 15 from York Place runs hourly at 40 past. It takes 40 minutes. The chapel is rather run down and undergoing refurbishment as of my visit two years ago. I would go to satisfy curiosity. It is an interesting old place.

janisj

The problem IS the Da Vinci Code. The chapel is a small/lovely place that before Dan Brown screwed things up could be visited and enjoyed as it should be. The quiet/atmosphere is gone forever. Now they have to charge admission (because so many visitors neglected to make even tiny donations), a full car park w/ overflow areas, and they are building a visitors centre for cryin' out loud. The place is tiny so only one 50 passenger coach is allowed at a time - meaning there is a steady parade of coaches one time slot reservation after another.

Sorry for the rant - but I wish Dan B. had never heard of Rosslyn Chapel . . .

Yes - you can visit it by car or by the #15 bus from central Edinburgh -- but one day is really not enough for Edinburgh.

janisj

"<i>The chapel is rather run down and undergoing refurbishment as of my visit two years ago</i>"

Much of that work is done -- but there is heavy construction at the Visitors Centre.

But "Run down"? It is an ancient bldg after all

historytraveler

Well said janisj. My thoughts exactly. Sorry but it is all about the beauty of its (Rosslyn) architecture and not at all about the book which is pretty much historical rubbish. An "interesting old place "...hmmm.

Ackislander

What janisj said, both about Roslyn Chapel and what she said about 1.5 days being not remotely enough for Edinburgh by itself.

bellini

http://www.stuckonscotland.co.uk/edi...slyn-tour.html
seems to suggest an early start avoids the crowds of Dan Brown Fans

qwovadis

Went out from my castle hotel by cab

cost me $30 US thought it extremely

interesting particularly if you are into

masonic/templar things and have that heritage.

You will see carvings of maze(corn) made centuries

before Colombus discovered america.

was not crowded when I was there very pretty area.

although some construction surrounded the site

with scaffolding that detracted from the external beauty.

Still was well worth it for me for the internal beauty

history and masonic/templar motif if you are into that

which as a Scottish Clan member I am.

So have fun,

amelie

I loved it, as did my parents (who are not Da Vinci Code fans).

unclegus

the scaffolding that used to cover the building has now all be removed so i believe,not been there for a while so can't confirm that.
it is a lovely place and the whole area beautiful.nearby is the Roslin Institute (now part of Edinburgh University)where Dolly the Sheep was created.

amelie

I would like to go back and see it without the scaffolding.

spaarne

When I was there two years ago the outside scaffolding was open to the public. It allowed up-close views of the flying buttresses and the gargoyles.

reddy2go2

Thanks for the feedback, all. We will play it by ear as getting there and back seems simple. If you had a short time in the city what would you do (what other sights would you see apart from the castle, Hollyrood and the mile?)