The Guild of Masons

Operative Freemasonry in Scotland in the 20th Century had something of a stuttering existence. While the Order was active in the 1920s and 30s, it became dormant after the Second World War and indeed, Guild Masonry only survived due to the determined efforts of the Head of the Order, Captain Jock Hay of Dalgetie.

Captain Hay resurrected Guild Masonry in Aberdeen in the 1960s and the Aberdeen Guild Lodge was the sole font of Operative Masonry in Scotland until 1992 when Captain Hay issued his personal Warrant, founding a second Guild Lodge in Greenock in 1992. In 1993, another Operative Lodge was established at Keith but this body was founded without the authority of Captain Hay and thus its formation was somewhat dubious. The Three Guild Lodges continued to work as individual bodies but over the period 1997 to 2000, increasing contact had been made between all three with respect to the possibility of formalizing their relationship and thereafter establishing a governing body to regulate and manage Operative Masonry in Scotland.

These discussions and negotiations culminated in a joint meeting of the three Guild Lodges held in Perth in June in the year 2000. Administrative difficulties were resolved and all representatives at the Meeting agreed that founding of a Grand Body would be a worthwhile objective as such a body would both protect and promote Guild Masonry within Scotland. The main point of agreement which allowed continued negotiation, was the general acceptance of the three Guild Lodges of the Rituals of the Order as held in ms form by Captain Hay.

After much additional correspondence and telephone discussion, members of Aberdeen Guild Lodge, Glasgow & Auld West Guild Lodge and Moray Firth Guild Lodge, met in the Premises of Lodge Scoon and Perth No. 3, on 16th June 2001 and the Grand Sanhedrin of Masons, Paviours, Tylers, Plaisterers, Bricklayors, Joyners, Glayziors, Plombiers and Wrights of Scotland. was duly Founded and Consecrated.

Growth has been steady and there are now seven Daughter Guild Lodges at labour in Scotland. In addition to the three Founding Guild Lodges, new Lodges were established at Stewarton in Ayrshire (now defunct), Alness in Invernesshire, Coatbridge in Lanarkshire and in the City of Perth itself.

Membership has grown steadily since 2001 and the Grand Sanhedrin itself has now held its 6th. Annual Assembly. The Degrees of Guild Masonry. Every Applicant to become a Guild Mason, must be a Master Mason in Good Standing of a Lodge holding of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, or of a Lodge holding of a Grand Lodge, recognized by the Grand Lodge of Scotland. In order to respect the jurisdiction of The Worshipful Society of Freemasons, Rough Masons, Wallers, Slaters, Plaisterers and Bricklayers (The “Operatives” in England.), no candidate may be accepted who is resident in England and Wales.

1st Degree -Indentured Apprentice 2nd Degree -Journeyman 3rd Degree -Mark Mason 4th Degree -Fore-Man 5th Degree -Intendent or Wise Master 6th Degree -Superintendent or Perfect Master 7th Degree -Passed Master or Sublime Master

Interesting video on the ancient drama