© Lodge St.Olaf 1188 2007

Our Lodge rooms are located in Serald Lane Cruden Bay, directly across the road from the Kilmarnock Arms Hotel, formally a bakery and stable for the bakers horse and cart. The property was purchased from Forbes Simmers Ltd, Later better known as Simmers of Hatton. Much of the detail is clearly recorded in the title deeds for the purchase. The building was converted to lodge rooms in and consecrated on Friday 19th December 1969.

 

Although in modern terms the sum cost of this project may seem paltry at under £150, as detailed in the invoice for the transaction, it was still a huge undertaking for the lodge and the office bearers and brethren of the day undertook a lengthy fundraising campaign to purchase and convert the building.

 

Up until then Lodge St. Olaf conducted it’s business in the church hall and then the village hall, so the move to a new purpose built lodge room was a significant  commitment which has benefited all of those who have passed through the lodge since these early important days.

 

Outwardly the Masonic temple itself has changed little since it’s initial conversion other than redecoration from time to time. One of the most striking features is the wooden alter work in the East of the lodge which is a beautifully worked piece formally located in derelict Church in the village of New Deer which salvaged at the time of its demolition by the brethren of the lodge who modified it for it’s current use. One popular misconception is that the woodwork which appears Norse in design has some link with the lodge’s name St. Olaf, there is in fact no link between the two, but the fortunate coincidence creates an interesting talking point never the less.

 

The photographs on this page show a few of the lodges interesting features including the ornate metalwork on the gates of our temple built and donated by one of our own members Bro. Graham Sutherland.

 

The wonderful painting of King Solomon was produced by lodge member P.M. Jim Taylor who presented to the lodge after it was redecorated in 1988.

 

During the Spring of 2005, the Lodge rooms received their most dramatic redecoration in nearly 20 years. It is be a bold and radical move by R.W.M. Ewan Robertson who had the support and involvement of the brethren of the Lodge who together transformed the interior to what must be now one of the most attractive temples in the Province. The refit included a comprehensive upgrade of the temple as well as a refresh of the anti-room but it is the quality of finish and attention to detail in the Temple which will impress new and old visitors alike. Amongst many of the new features the Lodge runs an audio video presentation mapping the history of the lodge since it’s consecration in 1919, but more especially through it’s own photographic archive the more recent history over the past 20 years. It is intended that this presentation will be produced for sale onto DVD format and will be available for a modest £5.00 from November 2005.

 

The overall effect of the refurbished temple is that it has an uncluttered and modern feel to it. However one very traditional adornment has been added in the form of a stained glass window depicting the lodges distinctive logo set atop the square and compasses and a Pair of Scottish thistles. The window was designed and constructed by Bro. Gordon Mackay P.M.