Roving Mark Mason Reporter
Still North of the Border - Part 3
A Visit to Scotland’s Grand Lodge
 
Following on from the visit we made to the Lodge for the 60th Celebrations we were invited to attend a special visit to Scotland’s Grand Lodge which we gladly accepted, so on the last day of our trip we attended the hotel dining room early and ate a hearty breakfast and yes I did have a couple of haggis sausage.
Entrance to Grand Lodge
Statue in Entrance
Wall Plaque
The King in His Kilt
Windows in Main Lodge Room
The Grand Organ
The Balcony
All of us who were going for the visit climbed aboard the coach but not until we had packed up our belongings ready for the trip home when we got back to the hotel. A short journey across all the road works known as Edinburgh, (it’s not quite that bad) and we arrived at 96, George Street. the home of Scotland’s Grand Lodge. My first impressions were a little disappointing as it is situated in amongst a row of other buildings and doesn’t shout out like I thought it would, the entrance is up a flight of six steps with two pillars either side, next are three very nice arched double doors, pass through those and you are inside a splendid reception area where we were welcomed by a fellow Mark Mason who had made a special visit to guide us around.
Windows
Dome
Meeting Room
Ornate Ceiling
Fire Place
The main Lodge room is well appointed with a stunning organ at the back of a staged area, several wonderful stained glass windows run along the upper left hand side and an impressive domed circular window is central to the room, on looking to the opposite end from the stage there is a fair sized balcony which I was determined to get to just to see what the view was like. (you know me and my camera).
G Masters Office
His Desk
The King
Dinner Gong
Burns
Burns Picture Info
A bit of history: The present hall was first discussed back in 1908 when it was resolved to build a new hall, the Grand Architect Bro. A. Hunter Crawford a member of the Grand Committee was requested to prepare plans and estimate the costs. On the 20th January 1910 the plans and estimated costs of £30,000 received approval. One of the main concerns of members was that their existing artefacts, museum items and library should have enough space in the new building, this was assured by the committee, Bro Hunter Crawford’s specifications emphasised that the quality of materials to be of the highest standard, this is sample of his listings:-
Front elevation facework to be of the best rock from Black Pasture Quarry, facing of base of front elevation and entrance steps to be of carefully selected grey Aberdeen granite, back wall of front building etc to be faced with enamelled facing brick  of first quality, lead-glazed from Shaws of Blackburn or Burnley glazed brick Co. Slates to be 1st quality Timborthwaite light green peggies with average cover of 21 and a half inches, neatly bonded and doubled nailed with copper nails weighing 91 lb per M.
Display Case
Aprons
It was agreed that a Memorial Stone would be laid by the Grand Master, the Marquis of Tullirbardine on the 28th April 1911, his Grandfather the Duke of Atholl had performed the ceremony back in 1858 in the old building on the same site, on that occasion the The Scotsman reported the Ceremony in the following manner, “The spectacle was one which for grandeur has never been surpassed by any celebration in Scotland, the moment the level and square were adjusted one loud “Hurrah” broke out from the assembled Masons, a flag was immediately hoisted on the roof of the hall and in answer to this symbol the cannon in the Castle thundered forth their respect by several salvos, announcing the completion of the laying of the foundation stone of the new Freemasons Hall of Scotland” A temporary home at Charlotte Square was used during the new building work at a cost of £250 per annum, a further £16,000 was expended on pictures and furnishings and in May 1912 the Grand Secretary and his staff moved into the new building where business has been conducted for over 100 years.
More Diplays
A Very Old Chair
Clock
More Displays
Lodge Room
Masons at War
Now let the pictures do the talking, we all enjoyed our trip North of the border and the information we received regarding how Mark Masons are Advanced in Craft Lodges, everyone we came across was very friendly and welcomed us with open arms, the whole trip was organised by a genuine First Class Mason Bernard Rourke and his wife Jesse, They did a Great Job for which we thank you, here’s to my next visit to Bonny Scotland.
The Two of Us
A Plaque
Tartan Staircase.
Display Cases.
Baseball Caps
Around Edinburgh
Sand Dog
Monument
Piper
Castle on the Hill
Off We Go
Mark Well
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher. PGStwd.
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark Lodge. No. 1173