Rosslyn Chapel-- of great fame and notoriety since 1606- the year macbeth was written-- more recently of The DaVinci Code phenomenon. ( what is that fad about anyway?)

So-- here is the entrance to the relatively smallish chapel. Construction scaffolding wraps the church.

Evidentally well intentioned restoration inappropriately sealed the stone-- which deteriorated at super speed when it could no longer breathe and wick away the moisture.

Ooops. ;>)
Here's a shot of the interior. Batteries were dying so will add some taken from the Treo later-- when i figure that out. There was a small congregation down in the cellar/library area with candles and chants... smell of must below. Ornate-- but not wildly more ornate than other great churches i have seen in Europe.







Add this is the memorial with tour group..

Here's that lovely rustling tree.


The cemetary was lovely-- walled with stone and carpeted with daises.



Thought the statue was lovely-- sort of Garden of Good and Evil -esque.



The obligatory picture of me ( Eyes closed) pointing at the date 1606 of this - one of the chapel out buildings, maybe a rectory-- will try to find out and add in. 

There is a Scottish poet/ sculpture /gardner that works in landscapes-- and by that i mean uses natural elements to compose artistic experiences that move the observer as would a poem: Ian Hamilton Finlay- worth spending time with I thik. Point being... the ash tree has a presence that took me back to childhood... to sunny mornings and grass clippings, warm dirt in the alley and morning glories trelling a chicken wire fence..... a benign canopy that both sheltered and connected me to the sky above.

So this is part of the sojourn to Rosslyn. I didn't fancy myself part of the mystic obsessed hords... but actually-- the crowds were not thick despite a glorious (albeit windy) day.






So here are a few views of the glen on my short walk toward the chapel- lovely. Striking was the wind in the ash tree.
 

Cows- everywhere. Hasn't this art/fundraiser been done?

These are the Red Hot Chili Pipers. Yes i did a double take when the announcer, with broghue, promised who was next up--- i nearly cancelled plans for the day so i could hear "Universally Speaking" (which we all know is Chilli PEPPERS!) . Anyway-- more kilts-- and these boys were far more obliging to pose than the others would have been no doubt!


Sample of the buildings-- a bit like Amsterdam--- all stone. Neat with a touch of grime. 

Edinburgh

Woman "beehaving" badly. Get it? Nice sense of humour!









Next a godawfull picture of me but- hey-- that is Edinburgh Castle in the background. Bike not mine-- one day i have to learn to ride one of those!




Now-- this is an example of earthiness. Celebrate the meat!
Californian sprout lovers might not like it here so much...
This is the landmark Caladonian Hotel-- reputed to have a great restuarant by seat mate Mark-- didn't try it. Dinner is too long an investment of time when dining alone and restricted to two days!

May-June Sojourn began with a rush to the airport, a gin and tonic in the Exec lounge, and a full flight, mitigated by a very nice traveling companion named Mark that knew all about my first desinaton, Edinburgh. Princess Street , Grass market, Plasir du Chocolate, Eninburgh Castle, single malt scotch-- every thing one must pack into two days in the ancient city.
Aided and abettted - slept for a few hours and arrived in this ancient city.

So there are pipers everywhere-- mainly for the tourists but not exclusively-- why did I draw that concluson?

Because they are not only on Princess street-- they are in the BBCs workshop in the square outside the Sheraton - along with soap opera stars and talk show hosts.