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Helen St. Clair-Erskine, Countess of Rosslyn, and her curator, Colin Gywnne Percy, examine the architectural history of this fascinating and remarkable building. They discuss and dispel a few of the myths and stories associated with the Chapel while describing the current plans for its restoration.

Rosslyn Chapel, or the Collegiate Church of St Matthew as it was meant to be known, was begun in 1456 in Midlothian, Scotland by Sir William St Clair, first Earl of Caithness and the third and last St Clair Prince of Orkney. Meant to be part of a larger church located near the Castle, the larger building was never completed after Sir William's death in 1484. It fell into disrepair when Cromwell's soldiers sacked nearby Rosslyn Castle. Today, what remain are the extraordinary choir and Lady Chapel, restored at the behest of Queen Victoria with its elaborate and fanciful decorative carving that has astounded visitors over hundreds of years. Rosslyn's symbolism realized in stone has been celebrated in literature and prose by Wordsworth, Sir Walter Scott, and many others. From the so-called Apprentice Pillar with its 18th century legend of a jealous murder to the 110 carvings of 'Green Men' in and around the Chapel, decorative motifs with Christian, pre-Christian, Pagan and Arabic symbolism abound.

Whether or not carvings look like corn, which was unknown in Europe in the 15th century, or if the 213 patterned stone boxes protruding from the pillars and arches form a musical score are a few of the questions that scholars have debated in recent years. The myths surrounding the chapel and the St. Clair family, including the link to Freemasonry and the Knights Templar, remain romantic legends celebrated in both fiction and film. Even today, Freemasonry around the world, who see themselves as the historic successors to the Knights Templar, consider Rosslyn a place of extreme spiritual importance.