First World War Memorial 1914 – 1919

About Us

Dalkeith, like all other towns of any importance, had its Trade Guilds, but the only one which has survived the course of years is the Freemasons.

According to the Statistical Account of Scotland, the Weavers were established in 1566, the Hammermen in 1694, Shoemakers in 1714, and the Freemasons in 1724.

The antiquity of the latter Operative Lodge must, however, go back many years before this date, as reference to it is made in the records of the Melrose Lodge in 1681.

Nearly 300 years later, Freemasonry continues to thrive in Dalkeith.