Edinburgh and Lothians tourism chiefs are welcoming the completion of Scottish Water’s investment at the Roslin Waste Water Treatment Works.

The £400,000 project has helped to release additional capacity within the local network, allowing for the construction of the Rosslyn Chapel visitor centre.

Colin Glynne-Percy, Director for the Rosslyn Chapel Trust said: "We are grateful that Scottish Water has been able to provide additional capacity, permitting us to connect into the public system and allow for the construction of this important visitor centre, enhancing facilities at Rosslyn Chapel, which attracts 140,000 visitors to Midlothian from all over the world."

-- Advertisement --

The chapel has witnessed a significant increase in visitors since the Da Vinci Code phenomenon, when it played a starring role in Dan Brown’s 2003 novel and then the 2006 movie starring Tom Hanks. Visitor numbers increased by 72%, reaching a staggering 175,053 when the film was released in 2006.

Movie tourism, known as "set-jetting" is a growing trend which sees film fans visit the locations of their favourite movies. New research by VisitScotland has revealed that a fifth of overseas visitors said a film or television programme about Scotland was a key motivator for their visit.

Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said: "Rosslyn Chapel is a massive draw for people from all over the world, and the new visitor centre, supported by Scottish Water’s improvements in the area, is sure to heighten their enjoyment of this historic attraction."

The investment is also helping to improve the natural environment of the River North Esk, which flows through Midlothian, before merging with the River South Esk near Dalkeith Palace in East Lothian, before making its way to the Firth of Forth at Musselburgh.

(GK)