No Dan Brown didn’t get all the details right about Roslyn Chapel…but it still is cool!!!

 Roslyn Chapel was started to be built in 1450 as a private family chapel by the St.Claire family. Al and I have been here twice before and each time I find more amazing things to see. This visit there is an improvement to the facilities..when covid hit it caused many tourist attractions to alter their way of allowing visitors and for Roslyn Chapel ,this was a good thing. With timed entry the crowds are now manageable. The down side is that this time we can no longer take pictures inside so I had to settle for outside shots. If you have time, google the chapel and see if you can find interior view..its absolutely amazing. Each minute part of the stone structure is carved and decorated, even the ceilings. In 2005, Author Dan Brown’s Book The DaVinci Code was made into a movie and it used the chapel as a backdrop for the ending of his story. This brought much more fame to the Chapel. It also helped bring money and interest into what was becoming a chapel with no upkeep and minimal restoration work.

This is an early gothic style.It took 40 years to finish and ended up being much smaller than the original owner,the earl of Roslyn had planned. When he was killed delivering the heart of Robert the Bruce to Jerusalem,his son and heir didn’t care to finish the project. 

The view from the back walls

As I said, I learned and saw something different each time we visit and I think this time I’ve grown to really appreciate the mason work that has gone into this work of art. Maybe because on this cruise we have seen some amazing art at the hands of early man, I can better understand how special it is.

Instead of going home, we decided to check out the newest addition to the tourist site scene: 

The Royal Yacht Brittania.

Wow! What a ship!!! 

The flag cabinet 

The emblem 

The queen’s bedroom  Prince Phillip’s bedroom

The ship’s bell ( and Albert)

The “honeymoon bedroom” the only double bed on the ship. There are other rooms for guests but those were not available to see. Each room was simply but tastefully decorated. Nothing seemed outlandish , The queen used the bedding from one of the previous royal yachts in her room. 

The Royal Yacht Tea Room. Placed on what was the upper deck  where the royal family would play outside, the trust has developed a tea room for visitors. We ,of course, decided that the best thing to do in the middle of the tour was stop and have a light lunch. the cover of the menu

It was a great idea!

Albert’s soup and sandwich. Mine was similar.

Here we are, the intrepid travelers!

Officers dinning room there were 20 officers aboard and 220 crew

Yes, it is actually a ship inside!

The State dining room ( could seat 50)

The Sitting room

Now for various pictures of the crew and officers sleeping and lounging areas. The rank of the crew always dictated the quality of the quarters.

Members of the Royal Navy band would be aboard to entertain.

Operating room

Hospital ward

The engine room was kept clean enough to eat off the floors.

And of course the bathrooms for crew!

It was a fun day and fun to see how the royal family used Britannia.

Tomorrow we head to the city of York and are quickly counting down to our end of the voyage!