Museum of the Grand Lodge of Scotland

About the museum

The Museum of the Grand Lodge of Scotland is part of Freemasons' Hall at 96 George Street in Edinburgh's New Town, the headquarters of the Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland, which was founded in 1736. The present hall was built in 1911–12 to designs by the Edinburgh architect Alexander Hunter Crawford, himself a freemason. It replaced an earlier hall of 1858 by David Bryce, and its facade carries a large statue of St Andrew by the sculptor Henry Snell Gamley. The building is listed in the highest category.

Inside, visitors can see the stairway under a gilded dome, the Grand Hall and the Grand Committee Room, as well as the museum and the library. The museum shows objects collected by the Grand Lodge and tells the story of Scottish Freemasonry, its buildings and its charitable work. Visits are made on guided tours run by the Grand Lodge, whose guides explain the building, the artefacts and the history of the movement.

Highlights

• Museum with objects of Scottish Freemasonry
• Grand Hall and Grand Committee Room
• Elegant stairway beneath a gilded dome
• Library of the Grand Lodge
• Statue of St Andrew on the facade

Permanent exhibition

• Museum and library of the Grand Lodge – Objects collected by the Grand Lodge illustrate the history of Scottish Freemasonry, alongside the Grand Lodge library.

Operated by

The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Guided tours of Freemasons' Hall are free and open to anyone interested in the history of Scottish Freemasonry.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The venue's Doors Open Days entry states that the building has disabled access, an accessible toilet and a standard toilet. Visitors with specific needs can phone the Grand Lodge before booking.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Freemasons' Hall stands on George Street in Edinburgh's New Town.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Freemasons' Hall is offered for hire for conferences, meetings, receptions and private celebrations.

Plan your visit