This is the memorial to Albert, Prince Consort, (1819 - 1861) located in Charlotte Square, one block west of Freemasons' Hall. Albert was Prince of Saxe-Coburg Gotha and married his cousin, Victoria in 1840. He replaced Melbourne (1779 - 1848) as her principal advisor. He was conscientious and progressive in outlook and excerised a moderating influence on Victoria. His enlightened and diplomatic patronage - particularly his organisation of the Great Exhibition (1851) ensured the popularity of the monarchy. Although not a Freemason he had the attributes to which all Freemasons ought to aspire.
Born in Leadhills, Lanrkshire. Ramsay is best remebered associated with Edinburgh and the Pentland Hills (to the south of Edinburgh and stretching to Peebleshire). He came to Edinburgh in 1700 as an apprentice to a wigmaker. Literature soon became his main interest and he set up in business as a bookseller in Niddry's Wynd and later in the Lukenbooths of the High Street (Royal Mile).
Born one block away from Freemasons' Hall Bell was the son of Alexander Melville Bell who was interested in creating a 'language' to allow the deaf to communicate more easily. Bell's two talented brothers had died from tuberculosis and he moved to Boston Massachusetts, USA, in the hope of avaoiding the same fate.
He became Professor of Vocal Phsiology at Boston University where he devoted his daytime hours to educating deaf children whilst at night experimented with telecommunications. He theorised that voicecould be transmitted along telegraph wire through electrical induction. In June 1875 using a rudimentary device his assistant, Thomas Watson, in other room heard the now famous words from Bell: 'Come here, Mr Watson, I want to see you.' Bell came an American citizen in order to lodge a patent for his invention having failed to gain any encourangement from his mother country. The invention of the telephone made Bell a millionaire He died in Nova Scotia. His company employed more than a million people.
Every Bus Stop in Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, has a name. This might be named after a prominent local citizen or an important building near to the Bus Stop. This is the case here. The Grand Lodge of Scotland is proud to have its' own, named, Bus Stop - Freemasons' Hall.
The 'New Town' of Edinburgh was designed on a 'grid' pattern very similar to many cities in the United States of America.
The designer, James Craig (1744 - 1795), was a Freemason having been Initiated in Lodge Canongate Kilwinning, No.2. A substantial part of Charlotte Square was designed but Robert (1728-1792) and James Adam (1732 - 1794) the famous architects. Both were members of Lodge Canongate Kilwinning, No.2. One of the most delightful parts of the capital were theerfore the result of the activities of some prominent Freemasons.
The Church of Scotland was established as the national church by law and constitutional change in 1690 - almost 100 years after the first Lodge records begin (1599). The church's head office is located at 121 George Street in the next block from Freemasons' Hall.
The 'crest', shown here above the entrance to the 'Head Office' at 121 George Street, Edinburgh, is a representation of the Burning Bush.
There have been Freemasons in Scotland from all the Christian denominations and very many from the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
George Street has recently undergone a major change in use from banking and other financial institutions to upmarket pubs, restaurants and designer clothing outlets. Cruise is one of those and is located next door to Freemasons' Hall.
There has been a fortification atop the extinct volcano since at least the Iron Age although that fortification was certainly rudimentary. It was in all likelyhood occupied by the Votadini, or Gododdin, a dominant local tribe.
In the 6th century we find that the praises of Din Eidyn [the fortress on the slope] were being sung by their Bard Aneurin in his epic poem Y Gododdin.
The castle dominates the Edinburgh skyline - although it (the skyline) is increasing being obscurd by new buildings.
After the battle of Carham (1018) the castle rock was secured by Malcolm II (1005 - 1034). The castle first became a royal residence in the 11th century when the wife of Malcolm III Canmore (b. c.1031, 1057 - 1093), Saint Margaret died there soon after learning of her husband's death at Alnwick.
The chapel, dedicated to St. Margaret, was built by her son David I (b. 1084, 1124 - 1153) and is reputedly the oldest stone building in Scotland. David convened the first gathering of the Scottish nobles and clergy in the castle which later developed into the Scottish parliament which first met in 1215.
During the wars of Independence ownership of the castle changed several times until 1313 when a force led by Sir Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray (d.1332) captured the castle and destroyed it's defences denying it to the enemy.
It was not until 1356 that the castle began to take its present form when David II (b.1324, 1329 - 71) on his return from captivity in England built David's Tower as his royal residence. This defencive building (which was completed by Robbert II (b.1316, 1371 - 1390) withstood sieges by Henry IV king of England (b.1366, 1399 - 1413) in 1390 and 1400.
James I (b.1394, 1406 - 1437) significantly improved the castle as a royal residence by adding the Great Chamber in during the 1430's. James IV b.1473, 1488 - 1513) moved the royal residence to Holyrood Palace in 1502 but he also instituted many improvements to the castle and it remained a royal residence in times of trouble.
The medieval defences were destroyed by the Regent Morton in 1573 when the castle was defended for Mary, Queen of Scots, (b.1542 d.1587, reigned 1542 - 1567) by Sir William Kirkcauldy of Grange (c.1520 - 1573) for 33 days. After its capture Morton greatly improved the castle's defences.
It is recorded in 1616 that there was a stonemasons' Lodge within the castle but this was a place where stonemasons worked and stored their tools. Lodges, as we known Masonic Lodges of today, met elsewhere in the city at this time.
The castle underwent four serious attacks during the 17th century. In 1639, during the Bishops' Wars, the Covenanters seized the castle. The following year Sir Patrick Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie, (c.1541 - 1584), who held it for Charles I of Great Britain (b.1600, 1625 - 1649), surrendered the castle to Sir Alexander Leslie, 1st Earl of Leven, (c.1582 - 1661). Both had fought together in the service of the king of Sweden.
Oliver Cromwell defeated Leslie at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650 and it was occupied by the Roundheads until the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660.
The Duke of Gordon held the castle for James VII and II king of Great Britain, (b.1633, d.1701, reigned 1685 - 1688) until forced to surrender through lack of supplies.
Freemasons' Hall (the building to the left of the large Christmas tree) was begun in 1911 and completed in 1912. It replaced a building on the same site designed by the architect Brother David Bryce (1803 - 1876) which had been been buit in 1858 but proved to be too small for the needs of the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
For almost 150 years the Grand Lodge of Scotland has met on this site. The present building will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2011.
All the major businesses and organisations in George Street contribute to the decoration of the street for Christmas.
Each organisation etc. has its own specific deceration and which is marked by a plaque acknowledging the contribution.
This image shows the plaque erected by the City of Edinburgh Council in recognition of Freemasonry in the city and therefore in Scotland.
Just outside Freemasons' Hall is a 'Masonic' bus stop. At Christmas the bus stop is decorated with a small Christmas tree as shown here.
Princes' Street is one of the most attractive streets in Britain, if not Europe, but the survival of the commerical center of the city is questionable.
The tall 'spire' to the left of centre is the monment to Brother Sir Walter Scott.
