'The Da Vinci Code' heading for the Highlands

Director Ron Howard recently visited the Midlothian site where climax of Dan Brown's bestseller takes place.

Apr 18 2005

The production of one of 2006's most eagerly awaited films is set to hit Midlothian later this year.

Director Ron Howard has decided to film the climax of forthcoming blockbuster 'The Da Vinci Code' at Rosslyn Chapel, just outside Edinburgh.

For little over a week in August, Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou will film in and around the chapel, which is the setting for the finale of Dan Brown's phenomenal bestseller.

It had previously been thought that filmmakers would build a replica of the chapel in Ireland or France, but a deal was eventually struck with trustees, and Oscar-winner Howard recently visited the site in preparation for the shoot.

Andrew Russell, chairman of the Rosslyn Chapel Trust, told Scotland on Sunday: 'We have an agreement with Rose Line Productions to film, subject to contract, this summer.

'They want the chapel for eight days, and will probably take it at the end of August or beginning of September.'

Visitors to Rosslyn have increased by 56% since the book's release, and its appearance in the film should see that number rise even more, which is good news for the trust as the chapel is currently undergoing a multi-million pound restoration.