ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST
Rosslyn Chapel Trust is a registered Scottish charity that conserves, operates, and provides public access to 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel, Rosslyn Castle, Collegehill House, and Roslin Glen near Edinburgh, generating income from admissions, retail, coffee shop, holiday accommodation, events, and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersRoslin, Midlothian, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST does
Rosslyn Chapel Trust is a registered Scottish charity (SC024324) and company limited by guarantee (SC161958), established in 1995 and headquartered in Roslin, Midlothian, seven miles south of Edinburgh. The Trust conserves and operates Rosslyn Chapel — a 15th-century (1446) building renowned for the Apprentice Pillar and 100+ Green Man carvings — along with Rosslyn Castle (1622), Collegehill House, and Roslin Glen, providing public access, learning programmes, and on-site retail and hospitality. Revenue is generated through ticketed admissions (£12 adult / £10 reduced / free under-17), an on-site gift shop and online store, a VisitScotland 'Taste our Best' coffee shop (managed by partner Saltire Hospitality), self-catering holiday accommodation at Castle East Range (via Landmark Trust partnership) and Collegehill House, ticketed events and concerts, weddings/baptisms, and donations and legacies; the Trust receives no ongoing public funding.
The Trust's go-to-market is direct-to-consumer: online booking for 90-minute timed entry slots, on-site walk-up sales, and distribution partnerships (Landmark Trust for Castle stays; VisitScotland and Midlothian Tourism Forum for regional tourism visibility). The £4m self-funded Castle restoration completed in 2024 introduced air-source heat pumps in 16th-century vaults — potentially the oldest building in the world with this technology — delivering Net Zero-ready status alongside a new accommodation revenue stream. Supporting infrastructure is light and heritage-appropriate: 22 full-time and part-time staff (68% Midlothian-based), a 2011 Visitor Centre, a 360° virtual tour, multilingual audio guides (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin), online exhibitions funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and education programmes including a long-running Junior Tour Guides scheme with Roslin Primary School.
Operationally the Trust recorded 159,000 visitors between April 2025 and March 2026 (vs. 176,000 at the 2006 Da Vinci Code film peak and ~9,873 at Trust establishment in 1995), with 49% of surveyed visitors citing Dan Brown's novel as a factor influencing their decision to visit. Brand awareness is sustained through awards (ASVA 5-star, TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice 2026, Scottish Design Awards Gold 2025 for Castle restoration, RIAS 2026 shortlist, multiple VisitScotland Scottish Thistle wins) and broadcast exposure on Kevin McCloud's Listed Britain (More4, 2026) and BBC Scotland's Grand Tours. Customer mix is heavily weighted to individual heritage tourists on a pay-per-visit model, supplemented by schools (Primary/Secondary/scouting), local community (EH25 free annual pass), and a small base of high-spending holiday-accommodation guests.
ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST
- Legal name
- Rosslyn Chapel Trust
- Website
- https://rosslynchapel.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Rosslyn Chapel Trust is a registered Scottish charity that conserves, operates, and provides public access to 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel, Rosslyn Castle, Collegehill House, and Roslin Glen near Edinburgh, generating income from admissions, retail, coffee shop, holiday accommodation, events, and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Heritage Tourism
- NAICS
- Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Historical Sites (71212)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Conservation & Research Lodges (Citizen Science, Field Stations with Guests) (THAAAHAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Wilderness & Backcountry Lodges (Remote/Off-Grid) (THAGAIAB)
Keywords
Where ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Roslin, Midlothian
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Visitor admissions: Revenue from ticket sales for visits to Rosslyn Chapel. Full-price tickets at £12, reduced at £10, with children under 17 free within a family group. Timeslot-based entry managed online.
- Retail sales: On-site gift shop sells guidebooks, souvenirs, books (including Old Roslin), Green Man merchandise, and 'Made in Scotland' products. Also online via the shop section of the website.
- Catering (Coffee Shop): Visitor centre coffee shop managed in partnership with Saltire Hospitality, generating food and beverage revenue. Holds Taste our Best award from VisitScotland.
- Holiday accommodation: Rosslyn Castle East Range and Collegehill House are let as self-catering holiday accommodation. Rosslyn Castle is operated in partnership with the Landmark Trust. Collegehill House is managed directly by the Trust.
- Donations and legacies: As a registered Scottish charity (SC024324), the Trust depends on income from visitors, donations, and legacies to fund ongoing conservation work. No ongoing public funding is received.
- Events and concerts: Revenue from ticketed events and concerts held at the Chapel, including performances by ensembles such as North Sea Gas and Arcangelo.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Full-price adult admission |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Reduced price admission |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Children free within family group |
| Subscription | Annual | Local resident annual pass |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rosslyn Chapel Trust is a registered Scottish charity that conserves and provides public access to Rosslyn Chapel (founded 1446), Rosslyn Castle, Collegehill House, and Roslin Glen. It operates them as a heritage visitor attraction generating revenue from timed-entry admissions (£12 adult, £10 reduced, under-17s free), an on-site coffee shop and gift shop (also sold online), self-catering holiday accommodation at Rosslyn Castle (with the Landmark Trust) and Collegehill House, ticketed events and concerts, a Junior Tour Guides educational programme, and church services including weddings and baptisms.
Product overview
Rosslyn Chapel Trust operates Rosslyn Chapel (founded 1446) as a heritage visitor attraction offering guided tours, self-guided visits, a 360-degree virtual tour, and digital learning resources. The Trust manages related visitor facilities including a coffee shop and gift shop. Connected properties include Rosslyn Castle and Collegehill House, both available as self-catering holiday accommodation through partnerships with The Landmark Trust. Additional offerings include online exhibitions, multimedia audio guides in six languages, a Junior Tour Guides educational programme, church services, and special events and concerts. The Trust also sells retail products including publications, souvenirs, and specialty items through its physical and online shop.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Rosslyn Chapel Visitor Experience Timed-entry visits (90-minute slots) to the 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel featuring ornate medieval stone carvings including the Apprentice Pillar and 100+ Green Man figures, with Chapel Guide talks throughout the day and on-site access to the visitor centre. Priced at £12 full adult and £10 reduced; children under 17 admitted free within a family group.
- Rosslyn Castle East Range Holiday Accommodation Self-catering holiday accommodation in the East Range of the Category A listed 17th-century Rosslyn Castle, sleeping up to 8 guests, Net Zero ready with air source heat pumps. Distributed via the Landmark Trust at landmarktrust.org.uk.
- Collegehill House Holiday Accommodation Self-catering holiday accommodation in a refurbished 17th-century former inn at the entrance to Rosslyn Chapel, historically visited by Robert Burns, Dr Johnson, and Boswell. Managed directly by the Trust.
- Events and Concerts at Rosslyn Chapel Ticketed evening events, concerts, and special programmes held at Rosslyn Chapel, including performances by various musical ensembles and fundraising recitals.
- Church Services, Weddings and Baptisms Weekly Sunday worship services (10am) plus ceremonies for weddings and baptisms held in the historic Chapel, available to visitors and the local community.
- Rosslyn Chapel Coffee Shop On-site catering facility at the visitor centre offering food and beverages, operated in partnership with Saltire Hospitality with Scottish suppliers; awarded 'Taste our Best' by VisitScotland.
- Gift Shop and Online Store Retail outlet in the visitor centre and online shop selling guidebooks, books, gifts, souvenirs, Green Man merchandise, Chapel Bee products, and Made in Scotland items.
- Junior Tour Guides Educational Programme Structured educational programme in which primary school pupils (notably from Roslin Primary School) are trained to act as Chapel guides, presenting the Chapel's history and medieval carvings to visitors; includes workshops, competitions, and curriculum-linked resources.
- Old Roslin Book A published history of the village of Roslin accompanied by historical photographs from 1908 to modern day, sold through the Chapel's gift shop and online store.
Quantifiable outcome
- Visitor numbers increased from 38,141 to 79,916 after The Da Vinci Code was published in 2003, and to more than 176,000 when the 2006 film was released. Numbers have since stabilised at ~142,000–159,000 annually.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Musselburgh Camera Club (MCC)minorMCC (approximately 35 members, based in Fisherrow Centre, Musselburgh) partnered with Mölnlycke Fotoklubb and Rosslyn Chapel to produce an online photo exhibition. Chapel staff agreed to let Swedish photographers photograph the inside of the Chapel out of hours. Exhibition of 16 photos is free on the Chapel's website.
- Mölnycke Fotoklubb (MFK)minorSwedish camera club (approximately 45 members, based in Mölnlycke, near Gothenburg) partnered with Musselburgh Camera Club and Rosslyn Chapel for a photo exhibition celebrating the partnership. Eight members visited Edinburgh and Rosslyn Chapel in 2026. The clubs have enjoyed joint online activities since Swedish members Helen and Martin Lundén returned to Gothenburg.
- Midlothian Council Libraries and ArchivesminorBryce Collection photographs are used with permission from Midlothian Council Libraries and Archives. The collection documents Roslin from around 1880 to the 1940s and was donated by Meg Campbell (née Bryce) in 1993. Roslin Heritage Society researched and identified many images.
- Webster HoneyminorIn May 2023, four beehives were introduced into the Chapel grounds in a partnership with Webster Honey (based in Kinross). First honey harvested in autumn 2023 produced 174 jars. A new 'Chapel Bees' retail category was launched in the gift shop. The partnership connects the Chapel to a tradition stretching back nearly 600 years, as 22 bee-access carvings were discovered during conservation works.
- The Landmark TrustcoreRosslyn Castle's East Range provides self-catering holiday accommodation in partnership with the Landmark Trust. The Trust manages the property and bookings are made via landmarktrust.org.uk. This partnership enables the historic East Range (completed 1622) to be maintained and enjoyed by visitors while generating income for conservation.
- Saltire HospitalitycoreLoanhead-based company manages daytime and evening catering in the visitor centre. Saltire Hospitality employs its own staff and supports the visitor experience with food and beverage services.
- Midlothian Tourism ForumcoreRosslyn Chapel Trust is closely involved with the Midlothian Tourism Forum. Director Ian Gardner serves as Chair of the Forum. The Forum develops the local tourism industry and promotes attractions across Midlothian.
- Page\Park (Architects)corePage\Park were the project architects for the Rosslyn Castle restoration and repair (East Range £4m project, completed autumn 2024) and also designed the award-winning visitor centre. Jonathan Walsh of Page\Park stated pride in supporting the conservation of one of Midlothian's most historically significant sites.
- John Dennis & Company (Scotland) LtdcoreBonnyrigg-based construction company served as main contractor for the Rosslyn Castle restoration. The company was appointed by Rosslyn Chapel Trust and undertook major works including reroofing the Great Hall, stonework conservation, and sustainable heating installation.
- Harley Haddow (Engineering Consultancy)minorEngineering consultancy Harley Haddow developed the sustainable heating strategy for Rosslyn Castle, including the specification and installation of six air source heat pumps in the 16th-century vaults. Associate Director James Cameron noted the Castle may be the oldest building in the world to adopt this technology.
- Roslin Heritage SocietyminorThe Society holds its monthly meetings in the Visitor Centre. Members researched and identified images in the Bryce Collection and contributed to the Old Roslin book (Stenlake, 2003).
- Roslin Primary SchoolcoreThe Trust works very closely with Roslin Primary School staff and pupils. Initiatives include the Junior Tour Guides programme (running since at least 2011), school visits, workshops, and the Eco-Committee's involvement in the beehives project.
- Historic Environment ScotlandminorStonemason apprentices from HES Stirling Skills Training Centre visited the Chapel to 'inspire the Stonemasons of the future.' Also involved in digitising and conserving the Chapel's archive collection.
- Midlothian CouncilcoreMidlothian Council co-administers the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with the Trust. The Council's Communities directorate partners on Midlothian's Young People Awards (MYPA) hosted annually at the Chapel.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Iona Abbey: Historic Scottish religious foundation with active worship and visitor access managed by Historic Environment Scotland. Directly comparable on the religious-heritage intersection.
- Edinburgh Castle: Scotland's most-visited paid heritage attraction, located 7 miles from Rosslyn Chapel. Closest comparable on paid-admission Scottish heritage experience and a likely substitute within a multi-day Edinburgh itinerary.
- The Landmark Trust: UK charity that rescues historic buildings and operates them as self-catering holiday accommodation. Existing distribution partner for Rosslyn Castle's East Range and a direct peer on heritage-lodging product.
- Blair Castle: Privately-owned Scottish heritage castle offering paid tours, self-catering accommodation, events, and retail — a close functional analogue combining castle visitor experience with on-site lodging.
- St Giles' Cathedral: Edinburgh's historic cathedral offering visitor access, donation-driven funding, retail, and active worship — very similar combination of religious, heritage, and tourism functions.
- Palace of Holyroodhouse: Edinburgh-based royal palace open to the public with timed-entry ticketing, retail, and audio tours. Directly comparable visitor experience product within the same Edinburgh tourist corridor.
- Stirling Castle: Major Scottish heritage visitor attraction operated as a scheduled monument with paid admission, retail, and education programs. Direct comparator on castle heritage visitor experience.
Broad incumbents
- English Heritage: UK-wide heritage conservation charity operating 400+ historic sites with admission, retail, and membership income. Comparable as a non-profit heritage trust reliant on visitor-generated revenue rather than core public funding.
- National Trust for Scotland: Scotland's largest conservation charity, managing more than 100 heritage properties with paid admission, holiday accommodation, retail, and membership programs. Closest structural analogue to Rosslyn Chapel Trust in mission, scale, and operating model.
- Historic Environment Scotland: Scotland's national body for historic environment, operating dozens of paid visitor attractions including Edinburgh and Stirling Castles. It is the dominant Scottish heritage site operator and a direct comparator for ticketed admissions, conservation, and visitor experience standards.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST social profiles
Digital presenceROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST
What does ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST do?
Rosslyn Chapel Trust is a registered Scottish charity that conserves and provides public access to Rosslyn Chapel (founded 1446), Rosslyn Castle, Collegehill House, and Roslin Glen. It operates them as a heritage visitor attraction generating revenue from timed-entry admissions (£12 adult, £10 reduced, under-17s free), an on-site coffee shop and gift shop (also sold online), self-catering holiday accommodation at Rosslyn Castle (with the Landmark Trust) and Collegehill House, ticketed events and concerts, a Junior Tour Guides educational programme, and church services including weddings and baptisms.
Is ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST a public or private company?
ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST founded?
ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST based?
ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST is headquartered in Roslin, Midlothian, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Visitor admissions are the primary driver. The others are retail sales, catering (Coffee Shop), holiday accommodation, donations and legacies and events and concerts.
Who are ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Iona Abbey, Edinburgh Castle, The Landmark Trust, Blair Castle, St Giles' Cathedral, Palace of Holyroodhouse and Stirling Castle. Broad incumbents are English Heritage, National Trust for Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland.
Does ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST have an API?
No public API is recorded for ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST.
What industry is ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST in?
ROSSLYN CHAPEL TRUST's product category is Heritage Tourism. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAHAJ, Conservation & Research Lodges (Citizen Science, Field Stations with Guests), with a secondary code of THAGAIAB, Wilderness & Backcountry Lodges (Remote/Off-Grid). Its NAICS code is 712 and its SIC code is 7900.