Haughfoot

The Lodge of Haughfoot has the distinction of being the first non-operatives lodge in Scotland and the world! The first minute of the Lodge dates from 22nd December 1702 and records the names of the founding members:

John Hoppringle of that ilk (Laird of Torsonce & Master Mason / Preses)
Andrew Thomson (a local lawyer and Lodge Boxmaster)
James Pringle (Brother of the Laird of Torsonce)

The first to be entered (Admitted to the Society of apprentice and fellowcraft) were:

Sir James Scott of Gala M.P. (Laird of Galashiels) [Torsonce was married to Gala’s sister].
Thomas Scott (his brother)
David Murray (in Philiphaugh)
James Pringle (in Haughfoot)
Robert Lourie (in Stowtounhead)
John Pringle (a wright)

William Pringle in Burnhouse was admitted on 27 December 1706, and James Pringle of Torwoodlee was admitted in 1709.

A list of Masters of ‘The Sd Society of Mason and Fellow Craft’ or ‘The Society of St. John's Lodge at Haughfoot’:

John Hoppringle of that ilk and Torsonce: 1702 - 1706
James Pringle [brother to Torsonce] chosen preses: 1706 - 1707
Sir James Scott of Gala chosen preses: 1707 - 1708
James Pringle of Torwoodlee: 1709 - 1710
Hugh Scott of Gala: 1728 - 1729

John Hoppringle of Torsonce (Haughfoot was on his estate) died in Edinburgh on 21st December 1737, and the last time the lodge met at Haughfoot was on the 27th December 1738. They next met at Galashiels on the 6th January the next year, and after that they agreed to meet on St Johns day at Stow and then thereafter to meet alternately at Galashiels and Stow. However due to bad weather and the distance needed to travel, the lodge split into two, and became:

The minutes (of the Haughfoot lodge) record: ‘Galashiels Jany 20 1742, The Masons of Galashiels seperat from the brethren at Stow being met day forsd and rols made and marked as follows.’

In 1898-99, James L Pringle was Master of Galashiels Lodge No 262.

The Lodge of Galashiels met many times in Selkirk between 1753 and 1763, which was year of the last entry in the Minute Book of the Lodge of Haughfoot. The book became a possession of the Lodge of St John Selkirk No 32.

For more information visit: The Pringle’s Lodge - Haughfoot.co.uk - Lodge of Haughfoot, No. 1824

Other Lodges with Pringle connections

The Lodge of Kelso No. 58 (founded 1701):

According to the minute dated 2 June 1702, Sir John Pringle of Stitchel (2nd Bt.) was elected as the second Master of the Lodge of Kelso. Robert Pringle of Clifton was also Master of this lodge in 1707.

The Lodge of Edinburgh, St. Mary’s Chapel, No. 1:

Stitchel’s uncle, Walter Pringle of Graycrook [Craigcrook Castle, Edinburgh] (an Advocate) was initiated on the 24 June 1670, into of the Lodge of Edinburgh, St. Marys Chapel No.1.

The Lodge of Melrose, St. John, No. 1 bis:

From the minutes of the Lodge of Melrose No. 1 bis, dated 1675, we see that James and Robert Pringle were members. Andrew Pringle was Master of Melrose Lodge in 1755.

Further Reading:

Memorials of the Haughfoot Lodge, by Brother Harry Carr.
The First Freemasons: Scotland’s Early Lodges And Their Members, by Professor David Stevenson
The Origins Of Freemasonry, by Professor David Stevenson
History of Freemasonry in the Province of Roxburgh, Peebles and Selkirkshires, from 1674 to the present. by Brother W. Fred Vernon.