Restoration funds in line for Rosslyn Chapel

ROSSYLN Chapel today received grants totalling £7.2 million toward the restoration of the 15th-century icon.

The Heritage Lottery Fund designated £4.5 million in what it calls a Stage One pass. Historic Scotland agreed to contribute £2.7 million toward the five-year programme of repairs.

Rosslyn Chapel, in Roslin, Midlothian, captivates visitors from across the world with its mysteries and enigmas. It attracted worldwide attention following the publication of Dan Brown's book The Da Vinci Code and ensuing Hollywood film last year.

The chapel is renowned for its intricate carvings with symbols of the Knights Templar, Christianity, Freemasonry and mythology, each inspiring theories on the secrets they hold. However, these carvings are now extremely fragile and at serious risk of loss. The building itself, which dates back to 1446, is also in a seriously poor condition as a result of age and exposure to the elements.

Repairs will include conserving and protecting the stonework, fixing the stained and leaded glass and restoring the Victorian baptistry. The temporary tin roof, which has protected the chapel for the last ten years to let the original roof and walls dry out will be removed.

Rosslyn Chapel has seen its visitor numbers increase from 30,000 a year in 2000 to 120,000 visitors in 2006. In response to the increase, the Heritage Lottery Fund grant will help support the development of the existing visitor facilities to provide a new reception with an interpretative timeline, exhibition space, flexible education space, café, shop and toilets.

Patricia Ferguson, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, announced the Historic Scotland funding for the project and welcomed the partnership working that characterises the scheme.

"Rosslyn Chapel has gained world-wide fame through the success of The Da Vinci Code," Ms Ferguson said. "What many do not realise is that the chapel has in fact enjoyed international acclaim as one of Scotland's most impressive and important buildings for hundreds of years. The protection it receives from being listed and scheduled has helped to ensure that we have this national treasure still."

A Stage One pass means that money has been earmarked by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland for the project. While a pass does not guarantee funding, it is an indication of positive support and money for the scheme is set aside pending a second application.