Dalkeith, like all
other towns of any importance, had its Trade Guilds, but the only one which
has survived the course of years is the Freemasons.
According to the Statistical Account of Scotland, the Weavers were
established in 1566, the Hammermen in 1694, Shoemakers in 1714, and the
Freemasons in 1724.
The antiquity of the latter Operative Lodge must, however, go back many
years before this date, as reference to it is made in the records of the
Melrose Lodge in 1681.
Nearly 300 years later,
Freemasonry continues to thrive in Dalkeith.