July 27, 2005

The Da Vinci Code to film in Edinburgh

DaVinci_poster2.jpg...and despite me living only a few miles away it looks like I'll get nowhere near it! According to many sources, I'll cite the BBC on this one, The Da Vinci Code is coming to Rosslyn Chapel, one of the main UK locations in the book.

Rosslyn Chapel is steeped in history. When the Knights Templar were dropped as the Pope's army and hunted down by his troops, some of them escaped to Scotland. At that time Scotland was excommunicated from the Church and it seemed a safe, and close, place to go. The Templars allegedy took with them a secret which allowed them great power over the Church, some say it was the Holy Grail itself, and they took it with them to Scotland and hid it there, forming the Masons in the process.

Rosslyn is supposed to be one of the first places that the Templars settled in, and the Chapel is alleged to have secret chambers beneath it which have never been opened. It also features some amazing architecture, some of which depicts a journey to the new world (the Americas) well before Christopher Columbus. Rosslyn certainly does keep it's fair share of secrets...and this movie is one of them!

I've tried for months with the Director of the Chapel, tried to hunt down the Production Company contacts, and even tried through Scottish Screen, who are allegedly responsible for attracting films to Scotland and advertising them. Nothing. Not a sausage. No one can help us. Great job Scottish Screen. Here I am an Edinburgh resident able to tell our readers how great Rosslyn, Edinburgh and Scotland is, and nothing. Bum. Anyway, the point of the story!

Trustees spokesman Stuart Beattie said: "The chapel has long been a popular destination for hundreds of years."..."There are many stories in Rosslyn's long history and I'm sure the chapel will make a superb backdrop for this particular one."...The chapel will close for the filming between 26 and 29 September...

It's a superb location, and certainly a great addition for the movie considering it's importance.


Posted by at July 27, 2005 02:46 PM