DaVinci Code

This world wind tour of Scotland was exhausting. In the end I realized I had no time to blog. After the day was over, we would come back to our room and as soon as we hit the pillow we we were out. So blogging, at least for me, had to wait till I got home. So here goes:

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The men went to play golf at Muirfield, -A gentleman's club were women are not allowed. Apparently the men had a great time and good thing that Lilia and I did not want to golf as I find that Scottish golf is quite sexist. Which the thought of that ruffles our feathers a bit. So we decided to go see Rosslyn Chapel. I read The DaVinci Code, so this place was a big interest for me. And no, I was not looking for the Holy Grail!

Lilia and I took a bus to Roslin, which dropped us off just about 200 yards away from the Chapel. For some odd reason, I manage to forget my camera! ARRGGHHH! Very frustrating for me. Luckily Lilia brought 2 camera's but she still has all the photos that we took. Also, we were not allowed to photograph the Chapel on the inside, so I decided to buy a CD with beautiful photos of the Chapel.

Rosslyn Chapel, properly named the Collegiate Church of St Matthew, was founded on a small hill , above Roslin Glen as a Roman Catholic collegiate church in the mid-15th century. After the Scottish Reformation (1560) Roman Catholic worship in the Chapel was brought to an end. 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. The Chapel is a major feature in the last part of Dan Brown's 2003 novel The DaVinci Code.

The Chapel had an aluminum tent over it with scaffolding all over it. Apparently it had alot of green moss growing all over it and the best way to clear it was to place the tent over it to naturally dry it and it seems to be working. You spend the whole time looking up looking at all details. It was impressive! Below are some of the photos I purchased.


Rosslyn Chapel


Inside the Chapel


One of the sections of the ceiling.


Some of the details.


One of the Green Men which are carvings of human faces with greenery all around them, often growing out of their mouths.

After the visiting the Chapel, we went to the pub at the hotel and had lunch while waiting for our bus. I asked the bartender how many people have come through looking for the Holy Grail. He said in the thousands! Wow! I thought the DaVinci Code was a great book but people forget it's fiction.

We took the bus back to our hotel's and I rested a bit until Mike came back from golfing. Later that night we all went to "The Witchery" for dinner. Located in an historic sixteenth-century building at the gates of Edinburgh Castle. In the most historic part of the building the Witchery is rich, warm and atmospheric, its oak-paneled walls hung with tapestries, mirrors and carvings. Spectacular painted and gilded ceilings similar to those at the Palace of Holyrood House celebrate the links with France in the Auld Alliance, whilst much of the paneling was rescued from St Giles Cathedral and a Burgundian Chateau. Gilded antique leather screens, polished church candlesticks and opulent red leather seating completes the setting of this magical dining location. We met up with Mike MacGreen's coworker, Marian Edwards and her husband Barry. It was Marian that recommended this restaurant. Thank you Marian!!! The six of us had an amazing dinner.


Barry and Marian Edwards

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Group shot with my eyes closed and then the camera battery died.

This was our last night with the MacCottles. The next day we went to London and the MacCottles are off to Turnberry. Thank you Mike and Lilia! We had an amazing time. Till we meet again.