FESTIVITIES to mark the 250th anniversary of Freemasonry in Musselburgh next year are set to start with an open evening this month.

Members of the public can go along to find out more about the ancient society, which members stress is not a ‘secret’ organisation.

The Masonic Lodge St John Fisherrow, originally situated near the harbour, was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland on March 15, 1768. The lodge rooms are now at 7 Balcarres Road, Musselburgh.

Gilbert Meikle, lodge chaplain and a former East Lothian councillor, said that the origins of Freemasonry in Musselburgh dated back more than 400 years.

He said: “There has been a Freemasonry influence in Musselburgh for a long time, with written records in a minute book dated January 9, 1598. That book refers to Atchison’s Haven Lodge, which convened in the Musselburgh area.

“There was also a Musselburgh Kilwinning Lodge which met in the Dambrae area of Musselburgh, which is why there is Kilwinning Place and Street there now. That lodge is now dormant.”

Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values, with one of its three great principles being relief or charity. The other two are brotherly love which shows tolerance and respect for the opinions of others; and truth.

Its members are taught its principles by a series of ritual dramas which follow ancient forms and use stonemasons’ customs and tools as symbolic guides.

Last year the Lodge St John Fisherrow gave £1,286 to local organisations and it allows its premises to be freely used by local charities and youth organisations.

As part of the Grand Lodge of Scotland – the corporate body governing Freemasonry in Scotland – it also played its part in donating £400,000 to Prostate Cancer Research last year.

Mr Meikle said: “It is often wrongly stated that Freemasonry is a secret society. There are many thousands of books on Freemasonry openly available in libraries everywhere. In Scotland, many Lodges advertise and publish details of their meetings in the local press.

“Members are perfectly free to make it known that they are Freemasons. The only Masonic ‘secrets’ are just those methods which members of various degrees throughout the world use to recognise and greet each other. It is as simple as that.”

He added: “Non-Freemasons often unfairly criticise, not knowing that members of the craft are guided by such honourable objectives. The Freemason builds his principles into daily life as a law-abiding man and citizen of the world.

“Freemasonry is an ancient and honourable society. Its principles are steady standards of life and conduct in a changing world.”

Mr Meikle stressed that Freemasonry was to be found globally. He said he had visited 30 out of the 50 states in America while on holiday in the country where his son now lives.

“I was welcomed with open arms at lodges there,” he added.

The open evening at the lodge rooms on Balcarres Road will take place on Wednesday, March 15, at 7pm. The public will also get the chance to ask questions.

Plans are also under way to mark the 250th anniversary next year, when a ball and rededication ceremony could take place.