Trades House Entrance Hall
Masons Crest
As you enter the Trades Hall, on the way to the main hall have a look at the bench on the right hand side of the hallway. You will notice that it has numerous carved crests on it. The 14 Incorporations and the main cities of Scotland and some other crests are carved on it. Try to find the Incorporation of Masons' Crest, it is not very near the entrance.
Please click the image for an enlarged view.
Stairs to the Main Hall
Masons Stained Glass Window
As you walk up the stairs to the main hall, have a look at the stained glass window on the left hand side. There is a pane for each of the Incorporations.
To see an enlarged view of the window, please click on it..
Deacon's Choosing Dinner
The Deacon's Choosing Dinner is probably the most important event in the Incorporation's calendar and it is on this occasion that the Masons' Flag takes pride of place in the Trades House. (Please see Masons' Flag above). This is the first occasion that the new Deacon will wear his chain of office and preside at his/her first meeting of the Incorporation. All attending will be in evening wear and many dressed in Highland attire or trews and Bonnie Prince Charlie jackets.
The top table will have the Incorporation's Silver laid out and in front of the Deacon will be the Deacon's Bell, Mallet and Trowel, he will also have his Deacon's Goblet with him/her.
The top table will have the Incorporation's Silver laid out and in front of the Deacon will be the Deacon's Bell, Mallet and Trowel, he will also have his Deacon's Goblet with him/her.
The Main Hall
Masons Crest
In the main hall there is a wonderful dome and round the bottom of it are the crests of the 14 Incorporations on display. The Incorporation of Masons crest is shown to the left and to see an enlarged view, please click on the image.
Rapping the Shed
Traditional Boxwood Rule
The dinner has a number of traditions associated to it and one of the nicest is the "Rapping the Shed" at the end of the evening. This is when the senior Past Deacon present raps the table with a folding rule (see image to the right) in the traditional manner which represents when the foreman would call the masons to stop work at the end of the day. The words used were as follows: "STOP STOP STOP, All the Masons In the Shed, STOP STOP STOP". Each rap of the rule represents each word in the above stopping call and therefore consists of three raps with a slight pause between, followed by a longer pause, then six raps in time as if you were saying "All the Masons in the shed", striking the rule at each word, followed by another pause then a repeat of the first three raps.
Anyone wishing to attend this wonderful event should use the Contact Us page for further information.
Anyone wishing to attend this wonderful event should use the Contact Us page for further information.