At a place globally renowned for its history and mystery is an unusually tall, ancient female yew tree with a fine fluted trunk. It stands hard by Roslin castle’s keep and above the mysterious vaults underneath it. In many sources these vaults – which rather unusually took 4 years to construct – are said to have housed certain ‘treasures’ (probably documents) which were brought back from Jerusalem by the Knights Templar.
Noted in 1897 by John Lowe (The Yew- Trees of Great Britain and Ireland, p.92.) however there are no records of a planting date. The yew’s girth is 451 cm measured at 100 cm high (SYTHI 2017) and many believe it is contemporaneous with when the castle was built. However, there is no consensus as to when that was. Opinions vary it was completed ‘sometime’ between the years 1350 – 1450.
A rough starting point for estimating the age of this yew is the girth suggesting 400 – 450 years minimum i.e. 1520 – 1570. However, historic canopy damage suggests this yew may have suffered in the bombardment of the castle by Cromwell’s artillery in 1650. If so, shock and recovery could mitigate growth for some time and may mean this yew could be over 500 years old, i.e. pre 1520. If nearer 600, i.e. 1420, that would mean its age would be within the period of 1350 – 1450 and potentially contemporary with the castle’s completion.
On an old postcard from over a century ago the yew is claimed to be 700 years old at that time and, if true, would be over 800 years old today and long predate the castle. However, it seems highly unlikely that a yew occupying its present position would have been spared in the construction of the castle as surely it would have got in the way of such a major construction.
Whatever its age may be, there is a real possibility it could have been here before the nearby Rosslyn Chapel was built in the middle of the fifteenth century. In any event, what is pretty certain is that it is the oldest living witness to the compelling history of this tangibly unique location which fascinates huge global interest and perhaps it should be given more recognition and respect as being intrinsic to the spirit of the place.