Robin Chapel

The wrought iron finial high up at the apex of the gable of the Robin Chapel in Edinburgh shows a robin perching on one of its branches. Inside the chapel are several carved images of birds and animals in wood and stone.

The attractive Robin Chapel was built by Sir Frances and Lady Tudsbery in memory of their only son, 25 year old Robin who was killed in Germany in the last week of the Second World War while serving with his First Household Cavalry Regiment. He had previously spent nine months guarding the Royal Family in 1944 and the present Queen became very fond of him. His parents had already planned to build a place where disabled soldiers could live in a supported community with their families instead of living in a long stay hospital as before. When they discovered that their son had been killed they built the Robin Chapel in his memory in 1950 with many reminders inside of the things that had influenced Robin’s life. The chapel holds non denominational services each week and the surrounding buildings of the Thistle Foundation continue to provide help and inclusion for the disabled as was originally planned in 1944 by Robin’s parents.