This hybrid talk will be presented by Dr Lizzie Swarbrick FSAScot.

About the Lecture

Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian has long been obscured by pseudohistories. This lecture unpicks these legends and analyses Rosslyn in its proper context of Scottish late medieval art and architecture. By bringing together a variety of buildings and objects, Dr Swarbrick explores how Rosslyn and other pre-Reformation Scottish churches manipulated people’s senses to induce profound spiritual experiences. Finally, Dr Swarbrick reflects on the ongoing work of Research in Action on Church Heritage by considering experiences of, and possible futures for, Scotland’s at-risk medieval churches.

Please note, unlike the rest of our current public event programme (https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/2026-27-public-events-programme-4864499?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=creatorshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&utm-source=cp&aff=escb), this event starts at 4pm.

About the Speaker

Dr Swarbrick is an art and architectural historian, specialising in medieval Scotland. She is currently Research Manager for the Society's Research in Action on Church Heritage (ReACH) project, coordinated by the Society and Scotland’s Churches Trust.

Before this, she was a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, working on a complete scholarly reappraisal of Rosslyn Chapel.

Educated at the University of St Andrews and the Courtauld Institute of Art, she has published on Scottish medieval churches and far right medievalisms, and speaks widely about her work.

Format

This will be a hybrid event which will take place both in Augustine United Church and live-streamed online, with the recording uploaded to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@SocietyofAntiquariesofScotland) and Spotify account (https://open.spotify.com/show/6K0WDCDHrA0ZEXJmQwijeT?si=04503a807a914361) shortly after the lecture. Please keep an eye on the Society website and e-newsletters (https://socantscot.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=cc6994950138423abe2ca2118&id=5dd78901a0) for the latest news and further information on Society events.

Doors open at 3:45pm and the lecture will be followed by a Q&A.

In-person attendees are also welcome to stay for a free drinks reception from approximately 5pm where you can discuss the lecture and other interests with the speakers, Society Fellows and other attendees.

Discount on Society Books

All in-person and online attendees of this event are entitled to £5 off the purchase of any Society book.

Books will be available to purchase from our stall at Augustine United Church at the event, and online attendees will receive a code in their reminder emails to use in our online shop, which will be valid until midnight (UK time) on Wednesday 2 December 2026.

Please note: Fellows who are logged in receive a 20% discount on books at checkout on the Society's online shop. This may be combined with the £5 off event discount code. The 20% off for Fellows is an online-only discount and is not redeemable in person at the venue.

Content Warning

This lecture contains discussion of far-right ideologies including Islamophobia. It also contains discussion of death, corpses, and skeletons.

Your Ticket

Booking is essential for members of the public and Fellows of the Society. If you have reserved a ticket and can no longer attend, please cancel your ticket via Eventbrite or contact events@socantscot.org (https://events@socantscot.org) to allow someone else to take your place.

House Rules

The Society has a zero-tolerance policy on harassment and bullying.

All attendees are requested to act with respect to one another during this hybrid event.

Anyone making comments which we believe to be inappropriate (for example, offensive or abusive) will be removed from the event immediately. Equivalent procedures (for example, with regards to spam) will apply online.

Active and Sustainable Travel

To help to tackle climate change and decrease congestion and pollution from cars, the Society encourages you to walk, wheel, cycle or use public transport to travel to and from this event if possible.

Lothian Buses (https://www.lothianbuses.com/) run services along George IV Bridge, Forrest Road and nearby South Bridge. There are also bicycle racks directly outside the venue.

Accessibility and Venue

The main entrance to the church is up four steps with a handrail.

A standard accessible toilet is available on the ground floor and lower level (accessible via lift).

Assistance dogs are welcome inside the venue.

Please note, the hearing loop facility is unavailable. The venue is working on a replacement and hope to have it up and running soon. We apologise for any inconvenience.

If attending via Zoom, captions are included.

If you require step-free access or any other assistance to enjoy the event as an online or in-person attendee, please let us know by answering the accessibility question at booking.

If there are any other ways we can make this event more ac

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