Scottish Castles + The Rosslyn Chapel

Bagpipes and Mel Gibson in the Braveheart movie are one of the first things I think of when I think Scotland. It's then quickly followed by men in tartan skirts and castles. We didn't see Mel Gibson (except for his lookalike) over our weekend holiday but we certainly saw heaps of everything else!

Scotland is the the very first country we visited outside London since arriving in Britian. We happily announced to Chek (our friend who travelled with us on this trip) that it is our first visit outside the UK who promptly laughed at us saying that Scotland is part of the United Kingdom so technically we haven't quite left the UK. We also discovered that Scotland have their own Scottish bank notes and also accept the British GBP pounds. And that it goes the same for Scottish notes being widely accepted in Britian. We learn something new everyday!

We only had 3 days to spend in Edinburg but we quickly fell in love with the city as soon as we arrived. We arrived at night and discovered a vibrant night life overlooked by the beautiful Edinburg Castle resting ominously on the hill. We checked into our little apartment nestled deep behind some seemingly empty apartments near an eerie looking small church. Chek who checked in a few hours before us couldn't be happier to see us arrive! Me and Andy were amused to see that he seemed a bit unnerved by the little statue sitting in the dark courtyard entrance. Nevertheless, we checked into our accomodation without any hassles and was comfortable throughout our stay.

The next day we made our way to the heart of the city and discovered their beautiful old buildings and narrow, steep streets.

Heart of Edinburg city.

Around the corner, we saw our Scotsman wearing the traditional tartan uniform playing a bagpipe.

Our first port of call was breakfast. I had some traditional Scottish porridge (boiled oats) in a little cafe and it was the most creamy, wholesome porridge i've ever had. Tummy now full, we then rented a car so that we could travel out the city.

The famous Rosslyn Chapel was the first historical site we visited. Despite having now seen many more churches and historical sites eversince, in my opinion the Rosslyn Chapel still remains as one of the most beautiful and mysterious. The Rossyln Chapel is made famous by The Da Vinci Code movie and book and is a feature in speculative theories around the Knights Templar and Freemasonry.

The Rosslyn Chapel was going under heavy restoration work.

The chapel is one of the most mysterious places in Scotland and on having now visited the site, I feel it certainly deserves its current status. I felt uplifted and a welling up of energy as soon as i passed through the stone doors. I was bowed into silence as I felt completely entranced by the exquisite pagan stone carvings and pillars that adorned every inch of the chapel's interior. The dim light and coldness of the atmosphere seemed charged with a certain sense of solemnity and even though the chapel was teeming with tourists, I felt like I had been absorbed into the mysteries of the church.

There are many ghost stories, legends and mystical connections associated with the Rossyln Chapel. The story of the Murdered Apprentice is one of the most captivating. The Apprentice Pillar is one of the most impressive stone carving in Scotland (and arguably in all Europe). Story goes that the pillar was carved by an apprentice to the master mason. The master went to Rome to seek inspiration for carving. When he returned, he found that his ambitious apprentice had completed the pillar, and made an exquisite masterpiece of it. Enraged he is said to have struck him dead on the spot in a fit of jealousy. Today, we were shown a sculpture of a screaming head (supposedly the head of the master) that is placed directly opposite the Apprentice Pillar, so that cruelly the pillar is forever in direct sight of the master. This is just one of the many stories that makes the Rossyln Chapel so enthralling.

Photography was strictly forbidden, but i was able to sneak a quick shot from the outside (thanks to my zoom lens!)

Andy & Chek

Next, we visited Stirling Castle. It is a stone fortress nestled high on the hill overlooking the green scottish hillside. The castle’s long, turbulent history is associated with great figures from Scotland’s past, such as William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots.

Robert the Bruce monument.

Me & Andy

Stirling Castle.

Old cemetary (foreground) and William Wallace's monument on the hill in the distance.

Us depicting the treacherous royal throne!

The next day, we visited Edinburg Castle. On the way to the castle we passed a street performer posing as William Wallace.

A street performer doing a great job looking like Mel Gibson!

And before we knew it there was Edinburg castle in all its glory. It was in many ways similar to Stirling castle but provided us with a great view of the city.

Entrance to Edinburg Castle.

Mons Meg, the castle's largest canon.

In one of the halls, we were entertained by a couple who played their Renaissance period (15th - 16th Century) instruments. The flute and period guitar reminded me of a musical track from a movie like Robin Hood. It gave me an idea of how the Scottish halls might have sounded like back in the 15th century with music, dancing and the Scots happily downing their wine and ales.

Musicians playing period instruments and musical score.

Andy and I on the castle walkway.