Visitors to historic Rosslyn Chapel can now enjoy a clear view of the building without scaffolding for the first time in 16 years – at least for a little while – as the major conservation project at the Chapel draws to a conclusion.
Conservation work to the Chapel began in March 1997, when a freestanding steel structure was erected over the building to help the stonework dry out naturally and since its removal in 2010, there has been a programme of conserving and repairing the external stonework, requiring different parts of the building to be covered in scaffolding. High-level work to the final area, the west elevation, has now been completed and the scaffolding has now been removed.
Over the coming weeks, further low-level conservation of the stonework will be undertaken and the stained glass windows, which have been removed for specialist care, will be returned and installed, requiring further scaffolding for a short time. It is expected that conservation work to the building will be complete by late summer. The project, which has also included the installation of a new sustainable heating system, improved internal lighting, the restoration of the organ and the opening of a new visitor centre, has been funded by Rosslyn Chapel Trust, Historic Scotland, the Heritage Lottery Fund, WREN and other sources.
Ian Gardner, Director of Rosslyn Chapel Trust, said: ‘This summer is an exciting time for us as the conservation project comes to an end. The removal of scaffolding, which had almost become a permanent feature, is a great moment and we are looking forward to the works finishing in the coming weeks.’