Author's Profile
Ashley Cowie, 36, was born and raised in Wick, Caithness. After studying photography and Audio Visual Communications in Glasgow he returned to Caithness and established a group of seafood companies. In his spare time he researched, explored and photographed the ancient monuments of Caithness and Orkney. Having made a number of significant archaeological discoveries he was elected into the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 2005 and has been writing books since.
He currently works and lives in Glasgow. As the resident Historian on Scottish Televisions 'The Hour Show', he presents shows on the origins of Scottish Traditions. Over the last decade he has presented his research on the International Science Festival circuit about various historical subjects, each of which are detailed in the Lectures and Projects page on this website. In a recent History Channel documentary Ashley was asked two questions, the answers to which will give you an overview of Ashley’s slant on Rosslyn.
Q: What do you think about the mysteries surrounding Rosslyn Chapel?
A: At 20 years old I embarked on a quest to discover the great secret of Rosslyn. Now, at 37, I realise it’s actually quite simple. Myths grow like moss around the stones of this most enigmatic building. Its original purpose has been confused by modern sensationalist authors who select a handful of carvings which best suit their predetermined conclusions, rather than drawing conclusions from gathered facts. Symbols, by definition, are multi-interpretational and in Rosslyn they get twisted and used to support the delusions of mystery seekers. I could take you on ten different tours through Rosslyn and use selected symbols to convince you it was built to enshrine a host of secrets including sacred blood lines, Freemasonry, witchcraft, magic and lost treasure. However, to accurately interpret symbols and to understand what they really meant to the people who carved them, we must consider their meaning within the correct social context in which they were created. In the 15th century the St Clair family who funded the building of Rosslyn Chapel were Catholics, and every single carving in Rosslyn can be related to Catholic beliefs and legends associated to that faith. Admittedly a dry answer, but it is the only historical model which accounts for all of the carvings, symbols and features.
Q: So why is Rosslyn so saturated with mysterious carvings?
A: The carvings are only mysterious to observers who want mystery in their lives. Rosslyn was built on the dawn of the rise of printing presses. Before books, carvings were the clergy’s best media besides their voices. Clergy would have used the many symbols to illustrate biblical stories and legends to educate their congregations. Rosslyn is literally a Bible in stone, and looking at the building with this in mind all the symbols synchronise and make perfect sense. The greatest mystery surrounding Rosslyn is how this simple observation is seldom mentioned. Interpreting Rosslyn as a purely Christian building squeezes the myths dry, and offers a modicum of respect to the craftsmen and woman who blistered their hands, and devoted their lives chipping it into the national monument we enjoy today.
He currently works and lives in Glasgow. As the resident Historian on Scottish Televisions 'The Hour Show', he presents shows on the origins of Scottish Traditions. Over the last decade he has presented his research on the International Science Festival circuit about various historical subjects, each of which are detailed in the Lectures and Projects page on this website. In a recent History Channel documentary Ashley was asked two questions, the answers to which will give you an overview of Ashley’s slant on Rosslyn.
Q: What do you think about the mysteries surrounding Rosslyn Chapel?
A: At 20 years old I embarked on a quest to discover the great secret of Rosslyn. Now, at 37, I realise it’s actually quite simple. Myths grow like moss around the stones of this most enigmatic building. Its original purpose has been confused by modern sensationalist authors who select a handful of carvings which best suit their predetermined conclusions, rather than drawing conclusions from gathered facts. Symbols, by definition, are multi-interpretational and in Rosslyn they get twisted and used to support the delusions of mystery seekers. I could take you on ten different tours through Rosslyn and use selected symbols to convince you it was built to enshrine a host of secrets including sacred blood lines, Freemasonry, witchcraft, magic and lost treasure. However, to accurately interpret symbols and to understand what they really meant to the people who carved them, we must consider their meaning within the correct social context in which they were created. In the 15th century the St Clair family who funded the building of Rosslyn Chapel were Catholics, and every single carving in Rosslyn can be related to Catholic beliefs and legends associated to that faith. Admittedly a dry answer, but it is the only historical model which accounts for all of the carvings, symbols and features.
Q: So why is Rosslyn so saturated with mysterious carvings?
A: The carvings are only mysterious to observers who want mystery in their lives. Rosslyn was built on the dawn of the rise of printing presses. Before books, carvings were the clergy’s best media besides their voices. Clergy would have used the many symbols to illustrate biblical stories and legends to educate their congregations. Rosslyn is literally a Bible in stone, and looking at the building with this in mind all the symbols synchronise and make perfect sense. The greatest mystery surrounding Rosslyn is how this simple observation is seldom mentioned. Interpreting Rosslyn as a purely Christian building squeezes the myths dry, and offers a modicum of respect to the craftsmen and woman who blistered their hands, and devoted their lives chipping it into the national monument we enjoy today.