Inn which welcomed Robert Burns re-opens its doors
By ALASTAIR DALTON
AN INN where Robert Burns * breakfasted after an all-night session in Edinburgh has re-opened its door to visitors.
The bard is said to have shown his appreciation for the meal by scratching a ditty on a pewter plate at the former Roslin Inn in Midlothian.
The l7th century inn, which later became College Hill House, welcomed visitors to nearby Rosslyn Chapel.
The disused building, originally the home of the Custodian of the Chapel, Judith Fisken, has now been converted to provide holiday accommodation by the Landmark Trust, which specialises in restoring historic properties.
The Trust already lets Rosslyn Castle in the village.
Burns’ visit in 1787 came after he walked from Edinburgh with his friend, James Nasmyth, * to see the dawn at Rosslyn Chapel.
Another visitor to have made his mark like Burns was Queen Victoria’s 17 year-old son, later Edward VII, who scratched his name on a window pane.
Other guests at the inn, have included James Boswell * and Dr Samuel Johnson.
The painter James Turner and the poet William Wordsworth were among other distinguished visitors.
The innkeepers were also gatekeepers and curators of Rosslyn Chapel, with the building becoming the private home of the custodian from 1863.
Judith Fiskin, the last Curator, left the house in 1996, with the post being superceded by a visitor centre established by the Rosslyn Chapel Trust, which was founded the following year. The building, which dates from 1660, was modified and enlarged in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
It has been restored by Edinburgh based Simpson and Brown Architects, (http://www.simpsonandbrown.co.uk/) which specialise in work on historic buildings.
Caroline Stanford, the Landmark Trust’s historian, said: “It is pleasing to place oneself in the company of past visitors, who must also have looked out on Rosslyn Chapel and one of the finest expositions of the work of Renaissance stonemasons in Europe.
© The Scotsman Newspapers.
30th December 2002.
(* These men were know to be Freemasons – Ed.)
It is rather surprising that the article, which gives prominence to Robert Burns and Alexander Nasymth, both of whom were Freemasons, fails to provide details of the connection between College Hill House and Freemasonry and the local Lodge in particular. To correct that omission we provide the details here - see below. We are grateful to Brother Robert Cooper, Curator of the Grand Lodge of Scotland Museum and Library for the information.
Masonic Meetings in College Hill House.
On Monday, 16th April 1877 five Freemasons met in the Royal Hotel, Roselyn, in order to discuss the desirability of forming a Masonic Lodge in the village. Those in attendance were:
Edward S. McDougal, Esq., Chairman; John Thomson, (Custodian, Rosslyn Chapel), James McGeachin, Charles S. France, acting secretary, and Mr. Maclntosh.
Apologies were received on behalf of:
Sir George D. Clerk Bart., William Merricks, and Rev. A. T. Grant
It was considered that there were insufficient present to advance the formation of a Lodge and another meeting was arranged for Friday, 27th April. However, the group did table the following resolution:
That in the interest of the Craft and for the advantage of the Freemasons resident in the locality that a new Masonic Lodge be established on an elevated basis and that the meeting binds itself to support the same.
The second meeting was attended by Brother Sir George Clerk, a local landowner whose family's association with Freemasonry had commenced more than 150 years earlier, together with six other Brethren. The ‘magic’ number seven necessary to form a Masonic Lodge had been reached.
The minute of the previous meeting held on 16th April 1877 was approved and those present expressed the wish for a new Masonic Lodge to be instituted. It was further resolved that they should bear the name and title: ROSSLYN ST CLAIR Plans were already well underway as evidenced by the fact that Brother John Thomson then read a letter from Brother Francis Robert, 4th Earl of Rosslyn (who had been Grand Master Mason 1870 - 1873) granting the new Lodge `temporary use of the Hall at the Chapel’ (College Hill House). This was the home of Brother Thomson who lived at College Hill House by virtue of holding the position of Custodian of the Chapel. On Thursday, 7th May the Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland granted a Charter for the formation of the Lodge under the name title aforementioned with the number 606 on the Roll of Lodges.
The last meeting of the Lodge in College Hill House was held on Friday, 21st December 1877 when two men were proposed for membership:
Dr. Thomas Anderson, M.D., and Mr Thomas Tudhope.
The Consecration (a ceremony to formally create the Lodge) took place on Tuesday, 21" January 1879. A Deputation of 14 from the Grand Lodge of Scotland headed by the Grand Master Mason, Brother Sir Robert Shaw-Stewart, Bart., (1873 - 1882) attended the ceremony with the Grand Master Mason presiding. Brother Sr George Clerk was Installed in the Chair of the Lodge. He had served as Master from 1877 until 1879.
In February 1911 the Custodian of the Chapel, Brother Thomas Thomson, (son of John the previous Custodian?) intimated that the Lodge would require to quit the premises after May. The Lodge held its last meeting in College Hill House on 8th March 1911.
The Lodge met for a short time in the hall within Rosslyn Castle and at 2 Manse Road In December 1920 the Lodge took possession of property at 21 Main Street, Roslin, where it continues to meet, and thrive, to this day.
Robert L. D. Cooper
Curator,
the Grand Lodge of Scotland Museum and Library.