legend is that master mason was given model, and seeing it so beautiful,wanted to go to Rome to see original. In his absence, apprentice finished it.
"The master mason having received from his patron the model of a pillar of exquisite workmanship and design, hesitated to carry it out until he had been to Rome or some such foreign part. and seen the original. He went abroad, and in his absence, an apprentice, having dreamed the finished pillar, at once set to work and carried out the design as it now stands, a perfect marvel of workmanship. The master mason on his return was so stung with envy that he asked who had dared to do it in his absence. On being told it was his own apprentice, he was so inflamed with rage and passion, that he struck him with his mallet, killed him on the spot, and paid the penalty for his rash and cruel act."
according to Rev. Thompson, previous minister, Bishop of St. Andrews was in Rome at time of chapel's completion and sought special dispensation for an act of violence that was commited on its premises during its construction. Details of the act of violence are not known.
"Two Miles Further on we saw Roslen Chapel, a very pretty design, but was never finished, the choir only and a little Vault. The roof is all stone, with good imagery work; there is a better man at exact description of the stories than he at Westminster Abbey: this story is told us, that the Master builder went abroad to see good patterns, but before his return his apprentice had built one pillar which exceeded all that ever he could do, or had seen, therefore he slew him; and he showed us the head of the apprentice on the wall with a gash in his forehead and his master's head opposite him." Thomas Kirk, "Account of a Tour in Scotland" 1677.
tradition is that before its completion, it required reconsecration
[[said to be decorated with items of masonic significance
Sinclair family were the hereditary grandmasters of Scottish masonry
arches, lintels, pillars with highly detailed plant decorations
two decoration of aloe cactus and maize cob, unknown in Europe at the time
over one-hundred green men, some peeking out hidden from vegetation, with vegetation coming from outh
star studded ceiling
entangled pyramids
figure of Moses
engrailed crosses
towers of Heavenly Jerusalem
only certain Christain imagery added in Victorian times
baptistery
statue of Madonna
stained glass windows
squares and compasses
legend of Hiram Abif
high in corner is head with gash
opposite wall is murderer
Recalling the legend of Hiram Abif, "high up in the corner where the south and west walls meet, and level with the organ, is a head with a severe gash on the right temple and in the opposite side of the west wall is the head of the person who killed him."- Christopher Knight & Robert Lomas, The Hiram Key: Pharaohs, Freemasons and the Discovery of the Secret Scrolls of Jesus
mythological symbols from Celtic, Pagan, Norse, Jewish, Christian, Templar
