Grand Lodge of Scotland

Introduction

This evening, I am posting information on the Grand Lodge of Scotland. This follows a tour of the premises which chiefly comprise a hall, museum and library.

Freemasons’ Hall at 96 George Street, Edinburgh

Information on the Grand Lodge

Freemasonry in Scotland has a long history dating back to medieval times. The Grand Lodge is custodian of the oldest Masonic records in the world which date from 1599.
The Grand Lodge was founded in 1807. It exists to gather, preserve and display items of Masonic interest, with special focus on those relating to Scottish Freemasonry both at home and overseas. Worldwide membership is believed to total more than five million.
The current building in George Street dates from 1912 and was designed by A. Hunter Crawford.The style is described as eighteenth-century Renaissance.
Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns was a Freemason. In the museum can be found his apron and signature.
In the Grand Hall is one of the few surviving pipe organs produced by Brindley and Foster. This dates from 1913 and has recently been restored.
The Hall and facilities are available for weddings and other public events. Free tours are provided twice daily.

Overall, a visitor benefits from exposure to a fascinating combination of historic artifacts, architecture and design.