Lodge History

The Keith lodge of  Peterhead received its charter from The Grand Lodge of Scotland on the 6th February 1754, Although evidence indicates that the lodge may have been founded on the 13th April 1739 and named after the Earl Marshall - (Earl Marischal) - George Keith.  It is also stated that in 1740, George Gray was elected R.W.M when the lodge was first formed.

 

According to Peter Buchan, the local historian, in his 'Annals of Peterhead' of 1819 he wrote:- "Upon this rocky island the Keith Freemasons of Peterhead, prior to the building of their lodge, used  to hold their meetings, particularly when members were to be initiated into this honourable order, and introduced to the insignia  of the Compass & Square."

Was 'Skerry Rock' (Pictured on the right), the first meeting place of The Keith Lodge of Peterhead  ???

 

 

 

The Keith Lodge purchased a 'Feu' from the Town Superiors and thereon commenced to build a Lodge. On the Earl of Errol's Plan of a Feu in Peterhead of 1771, (Pictured on the right), The Lodge is shown as a two storey building on road level. The foundations of the Lodge (the seaward wall of which is still standing today) were actually on the rocks of the foreshore a few yards from the 'High Water' mark. This building was to be the home of the Keith Lodge for the next 160 years !                                                 

 

 

 

Around 1761, Peterhead was rapidly becoming famous as a "watering place" and distinguished visitors from all over Europe came to partake of the medicinal waters of the Wine Well which was located next to the old Lodge. The Freemasons built a small bath house on the West gable of the Lodge which contained one bath for the exclusive use of Gentlemen. Permission was given by the Freemasons for the daily use of a ground floor room in the Lodge for visitors and "respectable inhabitants who desired to partake of the health giving waters." In time the water or pump room in the Lodge became the rendezvous of beauty, wit and fashion.

 

The Freemasons demolished the bath house around 1775 and the lodge was extended and reconstructed, The reconstructed building contained two baths and four dressing rooms for the gentlemen below: a ladies bath and three dressing rooms on the lower floor beside the room for drinking the water. At the same time the well was enclosed by a small stone building, with the Keith coat of arms cut in freestone over the doorway. The lodge again altered and extended their premises in 1793, 1795 & 1799 by which time there were two large warm baths, a large room for dancing, and a room for billiards, all erected by the Keith lodge.

                                             

In 1816 the Keith lodge was placed number 55 on the roll of Lodges, Prior to this time the lodge held the number 412

and shared the number with the now extinct Lodge of Edinburgh from Dunfermline which held the number 411.

The latter Lodge received its charter in 1739. At that time many operative lodges throughout Scotland still holding aloof and independence of the Grand Lodge, were granted the privilege of merely paying the fees of a constitution for their Patents of Erection and Constitution. Was Keith Lodge one of those lodges? Was it placed No. 412  on the Roll of Lodges in 1739 under these circumstances?

 

1822 - In the Grand Lodge enumeration of this year The Keith lodge was Number 52 on the Roll of Lodges.

 

1826 - In the Grand Lodge enumeration of this year The Keith lodge was Number 56 on the Roll of Lodges, which it still retains today.

 

At a meeting on the 5th January 1891a document came into circulation which contained a request from a number of Keith Lodge members to consider the resuscitation of the dormant St. James Lodge. The St. James Lodge was eventually reconstituted, and the nine petitioners on its charter from Grand Lodge are, the recently elected R.W.M, the Depute master, the Senior Warden, a Past Master & five other members of the Keith Lodge.

   

 

 

The Mason Lodge, built in 1759 & demolished in 1937. On the right can be seen a Smaller building which enclosed the Wine Well. The Lifeboat Shed & Slipway are on the left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Granite plaque was placed in the remaining wall of the Lodge Building and was unveiled by brother the Rt. Hon. Lord Saltoun.

The Plaque bore the inscription:-

" On 6th February, 1954,  The occasion of their Bi-Centenary, The Freemasons of The Keith Lodge of Peterhead, No. 56, Erected this stone in the seaward wall of the old Lodge building which was built in 1759 and demolished in 1937"

 

 

 

 

Prior to 1922 The Keith and St. James Lodges occupied the Old Lodge Buildings in Lodge Walk, the former occupying the downstairs premises and the latter the room above. The premises of neither lodge was very suitable, and the accommodation in view of the growing membership, was extremely limited. The Lodges Vacated their premises in Lodge Walk and took up temporary residence elsewhere until they secured their current premises in Broad street which is owned jointly by The Keith Lodge of Peterhead No. 56 & by the St. James Lodge No. 256.

The Temple today is one of the finest and most commodious Masonic buildings in the North of Scotland. The ground floor consists of the meeting hall measuring 62 Feet by 24 Feet, two large cloakrooms and the preparation room. The First and Second Floor houses the Masonic Social club and the Third Floor now lies unused, but in the past was used as a rifle range for the Peterhead Rifle Club.

 

 

The Masonic Temple, Peterhead, owned and occupied jointly by The Keith Lodge of Peterhead No. 56 & by the St. James Lodge No. 256 since 1922