Rosslyn Chapel has become the first heritage site in the Lothians to be recognised by VisitScotland’s ‘Cyclists Welcome’ scheme. The welcome award recognises the special efforts made by tourism businesses and organisations to provide cycle parking and cycling-specific information and assistance.
Ian Gardner, Director of Rosslyn Chapel Trust, said: ‘As part of our commitment to sustainable tourism, we encourage visitors to leave their cars and come to Rosslyn Chapel by bike or bus wherever possible. This award endorses our approach for cyclists, in providing dedicated bike racks and the introduction of a special cyclists’ ‘first aid kit’ complete with puncture repair kit, pump and details of bike repair shops in the area.’
Manuela Calchini, Regional Director at VisitScotland, presented the award and said: ‘We are delighted to award Rosslyn Chapel and include them in VisitScotland’s Cyclists Welcome Scheme. Our Quality Assurance Schemes are widely respected and benchmarked overseas. By providing extra facilities for cyclists, we are helping these visitors to the area enjoy their experience here as much as possible. Every business can make small changes to encourage more visitors to the area whether they be cyclists, motorcyclists, walkers or tourers and Rosslyn Chapel is a great example of how this can be done.’
David Wardrop-White, Midlothian Tourism Forum’s Cycling Representative, welcomed the award and said: ‘I am delighted that Rosslyn Chapel has achieved the ‘Cyclists Welcome’ award from VisitScotland. We are very fortunate to have a network of good cycle routes in Midlothian, including miles of traffic-free paths through lovely countryside, and I am very excited about the new route linking Rosslyn Chapel to Edinburgh, which opens next year. People using this path will enjoy fantastic views, a historic battle site, a nature reserve, a spectacular viaduct, food and drink in Roslin village and, of course, the world-famous Rosslyn Chapel.’