Rosslyn Chapel in Roslin, Midlothian, has been awarded grants totalling more than £7m for restoration works and new visitor facilities.

The 15th century chapel – which was featured in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code book – is renowned for its intricate carvings with symbols of the Knights Templar, Christianity, Freemasonry and mythology.

With £4.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £2.7m from Historic Scotland, the site will undergo five years of much needed work that will see the stonework protected, the stained and leaded glass repaired and its Victorian baptistery restored.

The existing visitor centre will be expanded to include a new reception, exhibition space, a café, a shop and toilets.

Brian Lang, chair of Heritage Lottery Fund’s Scotland committee, said: “The spectacular architecture of Rosslyn Chapel has captivated hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world. The craftsmanship of its stonework is only surpassed by the mysteries its designs hold.

“The Heritage Lottery Fund is delighted to be able to support the conservation of this iconic Scottish building in a project that allows visitors to explore, enjoy and learn about a remarkable piece of Scotland’s heritage without detriment to its incredible medieval fabric.”

The chapel, set in Roslin Glen near Rosslyn Castle, was founded in 1446 by Sir William St Clair and took forty years to build. Queen Victoria had the chapel restored in 1871.

Since being featured in Dan Brown’s bestselling book and the subsequent film, visitor numbers jumped from 30,000 in 2000 to 120,000 in 2006.