Roslyn, quoad sacra par. and vil. with ry. stations, (Roslin, Rosslyn Castle, and Rosslynlee), Lasswade par., Edinburghshire - quoad sacra par., pop. 1476; vil., on river North Esk, 6½ miles by road and 11 miles by rail S. of Edinburgh, pop. 611; P.O., T.O., called Roslin, and P.O. at Rosslyn Castle. Roslyn is finely situated near a beautifully wooded glen on the North Esk; has an ancient highly decorated church (Roslyn Chapel), founded in 1445 or 1450 by Sir William St Glair, baron of Roslyn and earl of Orkney, and exhibiting the finest style of Gothic architecture; has also the ruin of Roslyn Castle, celebrated in ballad and song. It gives the title of Earl of Rosslyn to the family of St Clair-Erskine. Roslin Moor was the scene of a battle (1303), in which the Scots defeated 3 divisions of the English army on the same day. At Roslyn are a bleachfield and a gunpowder manufactory.

(John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887))