Roslin Castle

The first castle was built in either the late 14th or in early 15th century,[1] perhaps begun by Henry Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, Baron of Roslin (c. 1345–1400).

The courtyard was entered via a drawbridge over an artificial ditch, giving access to a pend in the small north range.

[2] The castle contained a scriptorium during the 15th century, and five St Clair manuscripts, dating back to 1488, are in the National Library of Scotland.

[3] Roslin was more severely damaged by the Earl of Hertford, who burned the castle during the War of the Rough Wooing in 1544.

A new five-storey east range was built into the side of the rock, and the gatehouse was rebuilt, this time with a permanent stone bridge.

The rebel Earl of Bothwell stayed, but left in a hurry leaving behind his coffers with clothes and silver plate.

[6] The upper part of the east range was renovated in 1622, with renaissance details and carving to door and window surrounds.

It is entered through a richly carved doorway, dated 1622 and initialled SWS for Sir William Sinclair, which gives access to the third floor.

[2] All five floors are connected by a central scale-and-platt staircase, added in the early 17th century to replace a turnpike stair in the south-west.

The main hall, in the south part of the block, has been divided, but retains a large fireplace with the carved initials WS and JE, for William Sinclair and his wife Jean Edmonstone, and the date 1597.

[15] The castle was also used as a location for Ron Howard's film adaptation of Dan Brown's book, The Da Vinci Code.

A view of Rosslyn Castle, 1803 by Julius Caesar Ibbetson
The bridge giving access to Roslin Castle
Plan of Roslin Castle
The west curtain wall, with the ruined keep beyond.
East facade of the east range, showing the large windows to the principal rooms above, with smaller windows to the service areas below.
Rosslyn or Roslin Castle reconstruction image