Roslin Primary School pupils star in online tours at Rosslyn Chapel

Rosslyn Chapel’s Junior Tour Guides are taking to the screen to overcome the difficulties imposed by the coronavirus pandemic through their factual and interactive storytelling.
Pupils at Roslin Primary School get behind the camera for their starring roles at the Chapel (Photo: Rosslyn Chapel Trust).Pupils at Roslin Primary School get behind the camera for their starring roles at the Chapel (Photo: Rosslyn Chapel Trust).
Pupils at Roslin Primary School get behind the camera for their starring roles at the Chapel (Photo: Rosslyn Chapel Trust).

Normally the guides – comprising of the Primary 7 class of Roslin Primary School – would host weekly visits from other schools at the Midlothian site but, because of current restrictions, they have taken their tours online.

The footage – filmed by Chapel Media Education in November 2020 as part of the Junior Tour Guide Programme – consists of interactive activities and story-telling presented by the pupils.

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Ian Gardner, Director of Rosslyn Chapel Trust, said: “This partnership with Roslin Primary School has been running since 2009 and, normally, the children would spend time learning about the Chapel and then share their knowledge through dramatic performances for visiting schools.

Rosslyn Chapel Trust.Rosslyn Chapel Trust.
Rosslyn Chapel Trust.

"For obvious reasons, we could not run the scheme as before, but were delighted that we were able to film the tours and make them available through our website, increasing awareness of the Chapel and meaning that the tours can be enjoyed, potentially, by a global audience.

"We may see some acting careers developing from this first taster!’

The Junior Tour Guide programme is run in conjunction with East Lothian based company Illuminate UK.

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Karen Kyle McKenzie, Director of the company said : ‘What we have to offer schools is special not just because of the high quality information and storytelling but because the films are interactive – allowing the audience to pause and try things out and to watch activity videos where the Roslin Primary School children talk the audience through making and doing, games and crafts.

The cast on set (Photo: Rosslyn Chapel Trust).The cast on set (Photo: Rosslyn Chapel Trust).
The cast on set (Photo: Rosslyn Chapel Trust).

Colin Burt, P7 teacher at Roslin Primary School, said: "We may not have the weekly performances or the ability to perform in front of our families, or the school, but we have realised we can make things work when we work together.

"Junior Tour Guides is an amazing experience for the children of Roslin Primary School.

"I am so pleased that even in such difficult times we could make it happen."

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The Junior Tour Guides, themselves, agreed that it was a good experience for them.

Jonathan, P7 pupil said: "I thought Junior Tour Guides was very fun and I loved filming.”

Euan, who plays the scribe, said: "It has given me the chance to learn about the history of the chapel and, as the Scribe, I was able to share my knowledge in my own way.

Jo Wilson, Head Teacher, Roslin Primary School, concluded: ‘I am extremely proud of what the children have achieved and this film will continue our Junior Tour Guide legacy. A tremendous amount of work has gone into this with their class teacher Mr Burt. This film will now always be a reminder to the children of their outstanding achievement.’

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The tours will be available to view on Rosslyn Chapel’s website from Monday 15 February with the hope that schools, and families from around the world will now be able to enjoy the children’s tours.

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