What do you think?
Rate this book
The Secrets of Rosslyn
For generations the tiny chapel of Rosslyn has been the subject of an extraordinary range of speculation and theories culminating in The Da Vinci Code. While reviewing these theories Martine tells the story of this beautiful chapel, the glen in which it sits and the family that built it.
224 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2006
30 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Roddy Martine
26 books2 followersRoddy Martine has written a large number of books on Scottish life, encompassing Scotch whisky, clans and tartans, interiors and biographies. In addition he contributes to a wide range of newspapers, and is associate editor of Caledonia Magazine.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 11, 2013
The Secrets of Rosslyn, a ‘rest of the story’ follow-on for those intrigued by questions raised in the 2003 mystery detective novel, The Da Vinci Code, begins and ends at the little chapel in Scotland made infamous by Dan Brown. A reader looking for more titillation of that ilk, will be disappointed. Anyone in search of real mysteries, especially ones which grow deeper and better upon closer examination are sure to be fascinated, if not satisfied*.
In his Preface, the author, Mr. Roddy Martine, establishes his 40 years long association with the Collegiate Church of St. Matthew, otherwise known as Rosslyn Chapel as well as his initial ambivalence in undertaking his research. He also writes, ‘The invention that has taken place to support this ultimate of New Age conspiracy theories, which strikes at the very roots of Christianity, has spawned a veritable skein of wild geese to chase. Riddled with inconsistencies and articulating several manically unfounded allegations, The Da Vinci Code, inspired from an earlier, non-fiction source, The Holy Blood and The Holy Grail, has fired the imagination of millions.’
Mr. Martine chases down the ‘wild geese’ and shines the light of truth on spurious insinuations supposedly made palatable because ‘it’s only a novel’.
However in the end He who ‘works together all things for those who love Him’ (Romans 8:28) turns to good the efforts of those He loves, whether or not they return His favor. Believers cannot help but smile in learning that the notoriety resulting from these books has been a financial Godsend for this little chapel in terms of floods of tourist capital funding desperately needed and costly repairs, without which Rosslyn Chapel might not have been preserved.
Even more, Reverend Michael Fass, the priest in charge of the working church, ‘remains passionate that Rosslyn Chapel should fulfill its historic role and not be a place of unhealed or false memories, nor secrets and sensational speculation of “esoteric” enquiry – for there are no secrets here – and not of the New Age search for personal satisfaction, but rather that it should be a place of Healing, Reconciliation and Prayer.’ The ‘secret’ is out. The Mystery lives on.
One of the most readable books of its kind, The Secrets of Rosslyn, is the back page story the media will never tell. Highly recommended!
*Only because we must be content that some mysteries must remain mystery throughout Time being revealed only in the fullness thereof. I did take issue with Mr. Martine in his dismissal of the Shroud of Turin as ‘widely discredited’. However, as that was not within the purview of his primary research I simply note it as such without going into an unrelated debate about one of the most studied and controversial artifacts in human history.
In his Preface, the author, Mr. Roddy Martine, establishes his 40 years long association with the Collegiate Church of St. Matthew, otherwise known as Rosslyn Chapel as well as his initial ambivalence in undertaking his research. He also writes, ‘The invention that has taken place to support this ultimate of New Age conspiracy theories, which strikes at the very roots of Christianity, has spawned a veritable skein of wild geese to chase. Riddled with inconsistencies and articulating several manically unfounded allegations, The Da Vinci Code, inspired from an earlier, non-fiction source, The Holy Blood and The Holy Grail, has fired the imagination of millions.’
Mr. Martine chases down the ‘wild geese’ and shines the light of truth on spurious insinuations supposedly made palatable because ‘it’s only a novel’.
However in the end He who ‘works together all things for those who love Him’ (Romans 8:28) turns to good the efforts of those He loves, whether or not they return His favor. Believers cannot help but smile in learning that the notoriety resulting from these books has been a financial Godsend for this little chapel in terms of floods of tourist capital funding desperately needed and costly repairs, without which Rosslyn Chapel might not have been preserved.
Even more, Reverend Michael Fass, the priest in charge of the working church, ‘remains passionate that Rosslyn Chapel should fulfill its historic role and not be a place of unhealed or false memories, nor secrets and sensational speculation of “esoteric” enquiry – for there are no secrets here – and not of the New Age search for personal satisfaction, but rather that it should be a place of Healing, Reconciliation and Prayer.’ The ‘secret’ is out. The Mystery lives on.
One of the most readable books of its kind, The Secrets of Rosslyn, is the back page story the media will never tell. Highly recommended!
*Only because we must be content that some mysteries must remain mystery throughout Time being revealed only in the fullness thereof. I did take issue with Mr. Martine in his dismissal of the Shroud of Turin as ‘widely discredited’. However, as that was not within the purview of his primary research I simply note it as such without going into an unrelated debate about one of the most studied and controversial artifacts in human history.
August 21, 2024
What a fascinating book about a piece of our history that I personally had never heard about. If historical histories are to your liking and like me you've never heard about Rosslyn then this is a book to read.
February 3, 2020
The facts themselves are interesting. However, the writing style doesn't motivate me to keep turning the page. I don't get the feeling that the author is terribly passionate about the subject matter. Found myself putting the book down far more frequently than i should have.
August 19, 2018
An enjoyable read. I liked the history of the place and the people involved.
March 31, 2019
Excellent read ...
June 22, 2022
While the author provides a great deal of information about Roslyn, the writing is very academic and dry.
July 12, 2024
3.5 stars
January 30, 2025
I've been following the TV series : The Curse of Oak Island and found again, quite unexpectedly, that The Templars crop up. It's one of those times when something is presented to you at the right time; 'synchronicity' a term coined by Jung. Living in Shetland and creating my own book series has led me to research The Sinclair Family with a particular interest in the Orkney Sinclairs. This book gave me more incite into Henry Sinclair's involvement in Rosslyn Chapel, but even more curiously the 'Little Egyptians' that were favoured and given a place to dwell. Who were these people? And what knowledge did these 'travellers' bring with them? So, this book has led me into yet another area of research.
A fascinating read, clearly the desire to dispel the 'Da Vinci' code mythology is strong but there is a lot of information to enthral the reader who is able to connect the dots to a wider tapestry of events.
A fascinating read, clearly the desire to dispel the 'Da Vinci' code mythology is strong but there is a lot of information to enthral the reader who is able to connect the dots to a wider tapestry of events.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews