Masonry in Scotland before the formation of Grand Lodge in 1736. 

A paper presented by PM Bro James Jack at Unity Lodge No. 146 in Virginia, USA during October 2003

Freemasonry in Scotland as we know it today is purely speculative, this speculative organisation, became regulated by the formation of The Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1736. Before 1736 there existed in Scotland a highly organised operative structure which supported Lodges in every part of the country. Many of these Lodges evolved over a period of time from being purely operative to being purely speculative. In many cases this evolution is documented in Lodge minute books, for example, The Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary`s Chapel) No.1 has an unbroken minute which dates from 1599.   

In this paper, I will look at the formation of these operative Lodges into an organised body and further examine how speculative Masonry evolved in these operative Lodges before finally establishing a purely speculative Grand Lodge of Scotland.

Firstly, I would like to take a few moments to reflect on early architecture in Scotland and the influence that early European operative masons had.               

Early architecture in Scotland followed a mainly Norman line, as did work in England.

The Abbey at Kelso began in 1128 and work at St. Andrews Cathedral began some years earlier. English influence continued into the next century with the early English windows of Glasgow Cathedral being a good example of the style, and only about a mile from Uddingston (where I live) masons were employed for years to build Bothwell Castle, in its time one of the largest buildings in Scotland.

From the beginning of the 14th. Century, Scotland under Robert The Bruce was at war with England and consequently continental architecture began to develop throughout the length and breadth of the country, although confined mainly to the larger buildings, for example; The French influence of Chapter House in Elgin and the remains of Dunkeld. The German influence of Trinity College Edinburgh.

But what of the lesser buildings of this time?

The next century was to see the greatest changes in the control of building and the builders.

Around this time operative masons working in cities and large towns came under the general supervision of the great Lord or Cleric, but the situation was unsatisfactory, mainly because the masons (and many other trades) produced such a large monopoly of wages, work and conditions that the Scottish Parliament had to intervene.

From 1426 building Laws of increasing severity resulted in trade practices being vested in a Royal appointee - the Kings Master Mason, while pay and conditions of work were made the responsibility of the burghs.

The stonemasons were now in great danger of being exploited by the Burgesses or Freemen as they had indeed exploited their employers in the past. In defense against the greed of the town clerks who were milking them of profits, all the tradesmen grouped themselves into guilds, incorporations or Lodges; the last term being adopted by stonemasons, the merchants preferring guilds.

An "Incorporation" was formed when the town council of a Burgh granted one or more trades a legal authority, known as a "Charter" to regulate their own affairs within the Burgh limits. Powerful Incorporations, such as those in Edinburgh were self-perpetuating bodies since no one could become a Burgess or Freeman of the City - and so employ labour within the Burgh - without their consent.

We know that in 1526, King James the 5th. Of Scotland issued a charter to the monks of Newbattle to build a harbour which was to become known as Aicheson`s Haven and at this place there was a Lodge (who's minute book dating from 1598 is the oldest minute book of a Masonic Lodge in the world). Incidentally the Grand Lodge of Scotland purchased the Minute Book from private hands a few years ago.

The reason for building the harbour was to export coal from the east coast of Scotland to Europe, but what is more important, is the fact that even away from large towns where building was in progress, there were organised Lodges to be found. This is true in all parts of the country, in the north for example, in 1590 Patrick Copland of Udaught was appointed Warden over the masons of Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardine and the document confirming this states that his predecessors had been ancient holders of the Office.

But the prime example of a Lodge maintaining its existence away from a large town or civil authority is Kilwinning.  The existence of the Lodge at Kilwinning is quite remarkable when you consider that the total population of the City of Glasgow around this time was only 10,000 people and to maintain a Lodge in such a small town for so long is unique.

We learn that in 1598, William Schaw, Master of Works to the Crown of Scotland, issued a code of regulations, which may be taken as the first attempt at some kind of nation-wide control of the craft in Scotland.

The second Schaw Statute of 1599 tells us that Scotland is divided into three Districts; The East, with Edinburgh Mary's Chapel as the head Lodge, The West, with Kilwinning as its head Lodge and in the North, the Stirling Lodge was the head Lodge. These head Lodges were selected over many other Lodges who could claim an equal importance, such as Aitchisons Haven or Aberdeen, this suggests a very considerable antiquity for the system, in fact Kilwinning claims its existence to the building of Kilwinning Abbey in the Twelfth Century and the Lodge of Edinburgh from a direct decent of the artisans that King David imported from Strasbourg in 1128 to build Holyrood Abbey. 

The subject of the oldest Lodge and which Lodge is senior has raged in Masonic circles for centuries, but it is clearly stated in the Schaw Statute of 1598; quote "It is thought needful and expedient by my Lord Warden General, that Edinburgh shall be in all time coming as of before the first and principle Lodge in Scotland" and if you ever happen to visit the Lodge of Edinburgh you will find this quote from the Schaw Statutes painted on the ceiling above the Masters chair.

Then in 1601 a document known as the St. Clair "Charter" was drawn up by William Schaw. This Charter suggested that  William St. Clair of Roslyn obtain from the Crown, for himself and his heirs the Office of Patron and Judge over the whole craft.

Up until this time, the Lodges in Scotland were comprised mainly of operative masons, some non operatives were invited to join to ensure the patronage of local gentry, they worked a two degree system in the Lodges of this time (the third degree did not come into existence for a further 120 years) .

The "Edinburgh Apprentices Register" indicates the origin of operative masons and it indicates that many apprentices were drawn from outside the City boundary of Edinburgh. These records show that there were as many as four stages in the career of a stonemason.

There were usually no age limits for an operative, the custom was in those days that he would probably be 12 to 14 years old when he was apprenticed by very strict rules to a master mason for about seven years. His parents or guardian could indenture their children. The apprentice`s life was a hard one, his master could hire him out to work and collect his wages. He was responsible for the apprentice`s welfare, his housing, clothing and instruction.  

When an apprentice took his indentures his name was entered in the Register of Burgh Apprentices, the master did this “booking” as it was called.

At some time during the indentures the special rules of the local Stonemasons Lodge came into operation and the apprentice went through a ceremony and received some secrets of recognition, he was then entered in the Lodge books and given his masons mark. The timing of the ceremony varied, but usually it took place 2 or 3 years after his indenture providing that the apprentice was over 15 years old.

He was now known as an entered apprentice and this he remained until - if ever - he was made either a fellow craft or master. The entered apprentice had to pay for any promotion he may receive and if he could not raise the money he might well be called on to serve extra years in his indentures.

The history of Edinburgh masonry examined by the late Bro. Harry Carr shows that some 50% of the entered apprentices progressed no further and that they made up the majority of the Lodge and in their day they would be as we term now journeymen.

For those who did wish to advance further, the Schaw Statutes laid down strict rules. One was that he had to work as a journeyman for seven years and after being put to the test was made a fellow craft.

Being a Fellow Craft allowed him to do some small jobs of his own accord and in some places he would be allowed to have an apprentice.

It is also interesting to note that a fellow craft as well as paying a fee for their promotion, also had to furnish all the members of the Lodge with a pair of gloves, perhaps this is the reason why even today gloves are worn in some Lodges.

The Schaw Statutes make no conditions for a fellow craft and master becoming master masons (who were entitled to employ labour without restrictions) the matter would be between the Lodge and the Burgh Council.

Non operative masons had been initiated into Lodges but these were mainly local gentry, however, the first recorded non operative present in a Lodge was John Boswell, who was present at a meeting of the Lodge of Edinburgh on 8th. June 1600.

Non operative masonry received a tremendous boost when it is thought that in 1601 King James 6th. of  Scotland and 1st. of  England was admitted into Lodge Scone and Perth. This was to have a profound effect on Scottish masonry, as non-operatives were to be very prominent in many Lodges.

For the non-operatives there were only two steps in Lodge progress, to entered apprentice and then to fellow craft or master. There were naturally no trade tests and it was usual during the 17th. Century to have both ceremonies on the same night.

The number of times that Scottish Lodges met in a year varied according to circumstance but there was always a formal Lodge meeting on St. John the Evangelists Feast Day (27th. December) when the Lodge would celebrate the event, conduct their important business including finances and the election of office - bearers

Lodges of the time tended to meet where they could, the Lodge of Edinburgh met in a disused chapel, converted for its own use, and Mother Kilwinning met for many years in the upper room of a private house. An interesting point from the Lodge of Aberdeen`s minutes of 1670, state that "no Lodge be held within a dwelling house, when there are people living in it, but rather in open fields except it be in ill weather".

Permanent buildings where meetings could be held were mostly to be found in cities. In Edinburgh the original meeting place of Lodge Mary`s Chapel was built in 1504 and demolished in 1787.

It was also custom about this time to perform degrees by commission, in the presence of the master or his proxy and some other members of the Lodge who had been specially appointed and more than likely away from the usual meeting place of the Lodge.

A classic example of these previous points was the admittance of Sir Robert Moray into the Craft. In 1640 the Scottish Covenanters had risen against King Charles`s church reforms and after the Battle of Newburn they took the City of Newcastle from the English in 1641. It was there that Sir Robert Moray, Quartermaster General of the Scots army was initiated by some members of the Lodge of Edinburgh, indeed this casual meeting of the Lodge proved to be of great historic importance because it is the earliest record of anyone being admitted to a Lodge on English soil and even more interesting was the fact that the initiate was admitted to a Scots Lodge meeting on English soil.

But what of the working in the Lodges at this time?

Firstly the Lodge would be prepared according to where the Brethren met, that is, if the Lodge did not own their own property the furniture would have to be removed after the meeting.

We also learn from a  Mary`s Chapel minute that the masters table had a handsome five branched candlestick and that the Wardens had gilt candle sticks with three branches. The Bible would always be present at a meeting and various operative tools would also be present.

So far I have not mentioned ceremonial working, mainly because it is not until 1696 that we find actual details of words and procedures relating to the ceremonies of the two-part system.

The details that appear in a group of four manuscripts comprising of three complete texts and a fragment of a text, all of Scottish origin they form the main foundation of the study of the evolution of early ritual.  Collectively the "Edinburgh Group" of texts is arguably the most important documents of  their time because they are the oldest surviving description of Lodge Ceremonies. Their contents in phraseology and spelling show that they were not copied from each other.

They describe the ceremonial for entered apprentices, fellow crafts and master masons, as they were known. The entered apprentice candidate was required to kneel, and I quote, "and after a great many ceremonies to frighten him" took up the bible and repeated the oath as follows; This is the actual obligation of an entered apprentice in 1696, "By God himself and you shall answer to God when you shall stand naked before him at that great day you shall not reveal any part of what you shall hear or see at this time, whither by word, nor write, nor put it in writing at any time nor draw it with the point of a sword or any other instrument upon the snow or sand nor shall you speak of it but with an entered apprentice so help you God".

The candidate was then taken to an adjacent room by the youngest entered apprentice who instructed him in the sign and words of entry. On entry the candidate bowed gave the sign, when gave the word which was whispered all round the Lodge until it reached the master who then gave it back to the newly made entered apprentice.

Two words are mentioned and it is clear that in those days the entered apprentice had knowledge of two "pillar" words. The highest degree in the two-degree system, the fellow-craft or master mason ceremony began with all the entered apprentices retiring from the Lodge. The ceremony followed the same lines as the first degree with the master giving the word at the end.

The signs were not mentioned but the texts give full details of the five points of fellowship but there is no specific mention of a certain Grand Master.

The three complete texts for many years gave great doubt simply because they were so explicit, was this indeed the proof that non-stonemasons were using the same ceremony as stonemasons? Until this time no ceremonial working had been written down in any Lodge book and until the degree ceremony could be confirmed by an official Lodge record book the three complete texts were dealt with suspicion. However by a quirk of fate the minute of the Lodge at Haughfoot near Galashields in 1702 makes good history.

The Lodge was founded in 1702 by a small group of local Lairds and gentry at the end of the first meeting the founders decided to buy a register book. One of the founders entered some notes on the foundation of the Lodge and then he copied out what must have been a complete version of the two ceremonies previously described. At that stage the Brother had filled the first ten pages of the minute book and had started on the eleventh, which was only half, completed. Luckily he started the first minute of the Lodge halfway down the eleventh page, lucky you may say, why lucky? Because at a much later date, a brother, on seeing the ritual written down in a minute book tore out the first ten pages, but left the eleventh because it contained part of the first minute.

The twenty-nine words of the ritual, which remained, on that eleventh page match up with the previous three texts, thus giving confirmation of the account of the degree workings from earlier times.

The first evidence of the third degree being worked comes from the minutes of Lodge Dumbarton Kilwinning No. 18 in 1726, when a Gabrael Porterfield was admitted.

Although this is the earliest recorded 3rd. Degree in a Lodge we can presume that the age of the third degree in Scotland goes back to the middle or early 1600`s when some part of the senior degree in the two degree system.

The early 1700`s saw perhaps the greatest changes in the organisation of Lodges since the Schaw Statutes of the late 1500`s.  

The year 1717 had seen the formation of the first Grand Lodge in the world by four speculative Lodges in London, but in Scotland the position was very different.

Scotland`s stonemason`s Lodges were organised after the Schaw Statutes of 1598, when Scotland was dived into three areas of control, North, West and East, no such organisation existed anywhere else at this time.

Scottish operative masons still acknowledged the contents of the St. Clair Charter of 1601 which invites the St. Clair family of Rosslyn and their heirs to hold the office of Patron and Judge over the whole Scottish Craft.

There is no doubt that the formation of the Grand Lodge in England had an influence in Scotland. Soon, Lodges in Edinburgh met to discuss the possibility of forming a Grand Lodge, which would elect its own Grand Master.

On the 15th. October 1736 William St. Clair of Roslyn signed the document that was written to facilitate the election of a Grand Master Mason of The Grand Lodge of Scotland. Two days later, delegates from the four Lodges which originated the idea, Mary`s Chapel, Cannongate Kilwinning, Kilwinning Scots Arms and Leith Kilwinning met in Edinburgh and drew up an agreement for the method of electing a Grand Master.

After several meetings it was agreed that the election would take place on St. Andrew`s Day, November 30th. 1736.

The four Lodges had invited over one hundred Lodges from all over Scotland to attend, of this number thirty-three attended. The meeting opened with William St. Clair of Rosslyn formally renouncing his right to the hereditary title of Patron of the whole craft in Scotland which the masons claimed was his.

The assembled Brethren then unanimously elected William St. Clair of Roslyn as the first Grand Master of the new Grand Lodge of Scotland and in doing so created the illusion of a historical link between the new non-operative body - The Grand Lodge and the existing and ancient operative structure.   

Finally, it was Brother Winston Churchill who once said, "History,

with its flickering lamp, stumbles along the trail of the past trying

to reconstruct its themes, to revive its echoes and kindle with pale

gleams the passion of former days". I hope I have achieved that in

the presentation of this paper - Masonry in Scotland before the formation