Rosslyn Grail tales are Myth
In connection with the recent article in the Evening News, the story relating to the religious relics which are supposed to be hidden in Rosslyn Chapel should be treated with caution. The first kirk the St Clairs built was close to Flotterstone, near Penicuik. This medieval kirk was demolished to make way for a reservoir, During the demolition the workmen smashed the little altar and removed the medieval coins which were inserted by the St Clairs after the famous Royal Hunt, which resulted in the killing of a white stag that .had roamed between the woods near White Faugh, near Edgelaw Reservoir.
The stories about Rosslyn Chapel were dreamed up by Sir Walter Scott who stayed at Barony House in Lasswade while his house was being built at Abbotsford.
He used to walk from Lasswade to Rosslyn Chapel every day for over a year and created the story of the Apprentice Pillar, which is a myth.
During 1651, Oliver Cromwell and his troops were smashing and pillaging all Roman Catholic churches and were supposed to have killed about 400 priests. He arrived at Rosslyn Chapel and proceeded to smash all the fixtures in Rosslyn Chapel, including the original stone altar which I believe would have held all the religious articles, and Oliver Cromwell would probably have taken these articles when he left the chapel.
After this event Rosslyn Chapel lay idle .for over 100 years, and was used for 'keeping animal feed in.
Rosslyn Chapel was refurbished when Dorothy Wordsworth and her brother visited the chapel and suggested that the .St Clairs refurbish it.
This was eventually done and it was reopened in 1860.
John Mason, former guide at Rosslyn Chapel,
St Clair Crescent, Roslin.
EEN
17/04/1999