Cool Place of the Day: Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian, Scotland

Every day, a new place to discover or explore from coolplaces.co.uk

The mythical setting of ‘The Da Vinci Code’ finale has been reborn thanks to public interest

It’s just over 10 years since the film of Dan Brown’s bestselling book, The Da Vinci Code, was released, and this enigmatic, slightly off-the-beaten-track sight on the outskirts of Edinburgh, hasn’t quite been the same since.

The scene of the novel's denouement, the film brought mainstream international interest to the place and an upsurge in tourism that has settled down to a steady stream of visitors in the years since, bringing money in to restore the building, including its amazing roof, add a gift shop and in general provide a bit of overdue TLC.

The imaginative architecture and intricate stone carving of this fascinating fifteenth-century chapel are enough in themselves to merit a visit, but it's the stories associated with the church, covering stonemasons, nobility and shadowy religious orders, that provide the place with its air of intrigue and mystery.

As Dan Brown himself said, "When I decided to write The Da Vinci Code, I knew that its finale would have to take place at the most mysterious and magical chapel on earth – Rosslyn." Quite so, and Rosslyn is a compelling place to visit at any time of year. However, true devotees of the book will also be interested to know that they are hosting two special outdoor screenings of the movie, next door to the chapel, in September – tickets are on sale now.

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