The Polytechnic Lodge

UPDATE TODAY – 28 JAN 2022 – THE TRIP IS ON!!!

Contact the Secretary for details and to get your name on the list

UPDATE January 2022

The trip to the below places of Masonic interest was put back from 2021 until 7th-11th February 2022 due to the Delta variant of Covid-19. Sadly we are now suffering from the Omicron variant and the Grand Lodge of Scotland has suspended all masonic meetings in Scotland and trips to the Scottish Grand Lodge until further notice. The Masonic year for The Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary’s Chapel No.1) ends on 22nd March 2022 and it is not known by anyone if the suspension will be lifted by then. The Rosslyn Chapel (day and night tours) are fully open, as is Gilmerton Cove and the other locations we planned to visit. I am afraid it is a case of  ‘Watch this space’ for the thirteen members and guests who registered their interest to attend

Building on the success of the Polytechnic Lodge visiting the members of Lord Byron Lodge in Corfu (under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Greece) last year and earlier this year attending a meeting of the Sons of the Soil Lodge in Aberdeen (under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Scotland) it is time to think of another trip to keep us entertained.

Early and provisional enquiries are being made to return to Scotland and to visit a number of Masonic locations of great importance and some other well known and interesting places with supposed Masonic connections in and around Edinburgh. The trip is to be arranged when the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted includes visits to:-

The Grand Lodge of Scotland.                                                                                                                                                                                        The Grand Lodge of Scotland is located at Freemasons’ Hall, 96 George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland. The Grand Lodge of Scotland has had the pleasure of representing Freemasons working under the Scottish Constitution since 1736. It is situated in the very heart of the Nation’s Capital. The present Freemasons’ Hall was built during 1911 – 1912, replacing an earlier building that had been on the site since 1858. The previous building was designed by the famous Scottish architect, David Bryce (who was a Freemason). The grandeur and elegance of the venue rises 4 floors to the pinnacle of the building which is capped by a beautiful glass dome. With stunning and unique features throughout, including Robert Burns’ and King George the Sixth’s Regalia, the venue offers a truly unique experience.

 The Lodge of Edinburgh No.1 (Mary’s Chapel)                                                                                                                                                             Subject to the usual authorities given by UGLE and the Grand Lodge of Scotland our trip will include attending a Lodge meeting at The Lodge of Edinburgh No. 1 (St Mary’s Chapel) at 19 Hill St, Edinburgh EH2 3JP. This Lodge enjoys an enviable position, not only in Scottish Freemasonry but in the Craft throughout the world. Owing to the diligence of the  Brethren who have served the Lodge in the capacity of Secretary and of the foresight of these Brethren who saw fit to safeguard the records, the Lodge has minutes reaching back to July 1599

This is the oldest minute of a still existent lodge anywhere in the world and its contents reflect the wholly operative nature of the Lodge at that time. It was only the introduction of the non-operative or speculative masons in the seventeenth century that the Craft began to adopt the form we recognize today. In this respect, the Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary’s Chapel) can also claim precedence with a minute of 1634 which records the admission of Lord Alexander, Sir Anthony Alexander and Sir Alexander Strachan into the Lodge, and another of 1641 when Robert Moray was initiated into the Lodge which had convened at Newcastle; the first non-operative to be admitted on English soil.

The Rosslyn Chapel                                                                                                                                                                                                      While we are in the area it would be remiss not to visit the Beautiful Rosslyn Chapel located in the village of Roslin just outside Edinburgh. Since the late 1980s, the chapel has been the subject of speculative theories concerning a connection with Freemasons, particularly the Knights Templars of old and the suggested hidden location of the Holy Grail. It was prominently featured in this role in Dan Browns bestselling novel The Da Vinci Code and its subsequent film adaption that hit the big screen in 2006. There are countless theories, myths and legends associated with the Rosslyn Chapel of which it is impossible to prove or disprove.

One element stands out as worthy of particular mention. At the meeting of the South Aisle and the Lady Chapel is the stunningly carved pillar known as the apprentice pillar. It is said that the stone master mason was instructed by Sir William St Clair to build a pillar to match a drawing he had provided. The master mason went to Italy to study the original, and in his absence, an apprentice produced the magnificent pillar on view today. The story does not have a happy ending: the master mason was so consumed with envy on his return that he killed the apprentice with a blow from his mallet.

The mason and the apprentice are believed to have inspired two of the gargoyles placed high up in the west end of the choir, supporting structures that once housed statues. The “apprentice” has a dent in his head, and the mason is placed so that, as a punishment for his crime, he must forever gaze diagonally across the chapel to the apprentice pillar that so offended his professional pride.

There are other legends which link Rosslyn Chapel with the Knights Templar and Freemasons. Sealed burial vaults below the chapel are said to contain the remains of ten Barons of Rosslyn in their full armour. And some people believe that these vaults, or other parts of the chapel, may also contain the Holy Grail, or the Ark of the Covenant, or part of the actual cross on which Christ was crucified. Meanwhile, the chapel’s alleged Masonic links are held by some to explain why Cromwell’s troops spared the chapel in 1650. Some of these theories are intriguing and some are attractive, while others veer towards the fanciful. But they certainly add to the atmosphere of this wonderful place.

The BBC produced a very interesting documentary on the Rosslyn Chapel which is available to download on youtube. This is the first of four small parts:-

Gilmerton Cove                                                                                                                                                                                                                   If time permits during our trip a visit to one of Scotlands most curious heritage sites in Edinburgh would be well worth attending. Gilmerton Cove has been an archaeological mystery that has baffled experts for over 200 years. Who would create such a place and why? This unique hand carved subterranean attraction has seven different rooms with rock hewn furniture tables and chairs. After extensive historical and archaeological research investigators still don’t know the exact origins of this site. The Cove has features such as a well, a fireplace, a blacksmiths forge and two back filled tunnels just waiting to be explored – theories abound as to its origins and uses.

Secret Drinking Den? Covenanters Refuge? Witches Coven? Secret Meeting Place? Hellfire Club? Knights Templar? Romans? Druids? Freemasons?

This trip will take a lot of organising. If you are a member of the Polytechnic Lodge or one of our frequent visitors and would like to register your interest in attending drop the Secretary a quick note at secretary2847@freemasons.london to register your interest. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there are no further details available at present.