The Healing, Teaching and Chivalric Order of St Raphael
Annual Outing - Summer 2011
St Martin at Sées weekend visit to Edinburgh
Following a successful visit back in 2003, the Conclave decided that it was time to revisit the famous Rosslyn Chapel, near Edinburgh, and a small group of members travelled north for the Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May. Having met up just over the border for a pub lunch, we travelled north to our accommodation at Newbattle Abbey College, near Dalkeith. This is Scotland’s only adult education residential college, and is also open for conferences and small groups of visitors. It is set in 125 acres of beautiful parkland and the historic 16th century building and peaceful surroundings made it an excellent base for our weekend. Indeed, on our way to eat in the crypt refectory on Friday we passed an oak chest said to have come from the Spanish Armada, and the chapel contains a stone font said to have been used to baptise Mary Queen of Scots.
After a pleasant evening socialising and visiting the cold and windy city
centre, on Saturday we took our first guided tour of nearby Gilmerton Cove.
This is a series of hand carved passageways and chambers about ten feet below
street level. The caves are said to be several hundred years old, but fell
into disrepair and were only re-discovered a dozen years ago. Now restored,
the Cove is open to visiting groups, who are full of admiration for the works.
There are many inscriptions carved into the rocks, including a number of masonic
symbols, but despite tales that the site may have been used by the Knights
Templar and even housed the Holy Grail at some time, archaeological surveys
have been unable to find the truth of the site’s use. It really is one
of Scotland’s hidden gems, and if you want further information please
visit the website at www.gilmertoncove.org.uk, and don’t miss the short
video clip!
From Gilmerton we made a short detour to visit one of Scotland’s best-preserved
medieval sites - Craigmillar Castle. It was here that Mary, Queen of Scots
convalesced after the birth of her son, James I of England, in 1566.
Without even time for a break it was on to Rosslyn Chapel, where we had booked a local guide to give us the full historic tour. Last time we visited there was a canopy over the roof to allow the ancient fabric to properly dry out, but that has now been removed to allow its full beauty to be once again visible to the world. Rosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 and completed in 1484, and the beauty of its setting and the mysterious symbolism of its ornate stonework have been an inspiration to thousands of visitors ever since. There are countless theories, myths and legends associated with the Chapel, many masonic, and of course Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code brought these to the attention of the whole world! Probably the most striking feature inside is the Apprentice’s Pillar, said to have been carved by the Apprentice Stonemason whilst the Master Mason was in Italy seeking inspiration for its design. You can learn more about Rosslyn Chapel at www.rosslynchapel.org.uk
On Sunday morning we celebrated Holy Communion in the College’s historic chapel, led by Rt Rev’d Geoffrey Robinson. On the journey south we still had time to visit the Buddhist community settlement at Kagyu Samye Ling. Located near Esdalemuir in a peaceful valley on the banks of the river Esk, Kagyu Samye Ling was the first Tibetan Buddhist Centre to have been established in the West. It is a centre for wisdom and learning within the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and is open to people of all faiths and none. It was fascinating to see how this community has settled into the middle of the countryside, and to have a rare opportunity to witness the golden splendour of one of their temples. www.samyeling.org
All those who took part in this weekend outing had a great time, and were able to return home in the knowledge that they had taken part in activities representing Healing, Teaching and Chivalry – very appropriate for members of our Order.