Freemason's Provincial Grand Lodge of Aberdeen City, Sept 2008

[Revelation_Space]

Been going through some old photos of mine, and stumbled across a few reasonably interesting sites that haven't been reported much here. Pretty sure Gorecki reported on this ages ago, from her visit on the same day (Aberdeen's Open Day), but I figured one extra report won't do any harm.

I don't know an awful lot about the Freemasons beyond what Wikipedia tells me, and I know zip about the building itself apart from what I saw, which was nice. :D

It really is quite an impressive building, I only wish there hadn't been so many people there, as it made taking photos quite difficult. For each one I had to sit and wait for everyone to drift out of the frame. I'm afraid that, being 2+ years ago, I barely remember anything about it, so I'll just post the pictures.

http://j.imagehost.org/0289/DSC7049.jpg (http://j.imagehost.org/view/0289/DSC7049)

http://g.imagehost.org/0521/DSC7054.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0521/DSC7054)

http://j.imagehost.org/0544/DSC7056.jpg (http://j.imagehost.org/view/0544/DSC7056)

http://j.imagehost.org/0368/DSC7061.jpg (http://j.imagehost.org/view/0368/DSC7061)

http://g.imagehost.org/0140/DSC7072.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0140/DSC7072)

http://g.imagehost.org/0514/DSC7083.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0514/DSC7083)

http://j.imagehost.org/0976/DSC7101.jpg (http://j.imagehost.org/view/0976/DSC7101)

http://g.imagehost.org/0337/DSC7123.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0337/DSC7123)

http://j.imagehost.org/0633/DSC7132.jpg (http://j.imagehost.org/view/0633/DSC7132)

http://j.imagehost.org/0941/DSC7150.jpg (http://j.imagehost.org/view/0941/DSC7150)

Lots of nice little detailing in the edges of the rooms.
http://g.imagehost.org/0513/DSC7158.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0513/DSC7158)

http://j.imagehost.org/0923/DSC7162.jpg (http://j.imagehost.org/view/0923/DSC7162)

Easily the coolest thing in the building was the tiny little underground ceremony room. All I vaguely remember being told is that, in order to become a Freemason proper, you have participate in some ceremony down in this little room. (That sounds horribly ignorant, but I don't remember at all). The only way you could see into it was through a tiny little 30cm wide, barred hole in the floor, seen here. People weren't allowed down into the room, so all my photos were taken through this hole.
http://g.imagehost.org/0986/DSC7197.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0986/DSC7197)

The room itself was tiny, less than 2m wide from what I recall. It's very very pretty.
http://g.imagehost.org/0540/DSC7205.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0540/DSC7205)

Closeup of the raised part in the centre of the room.
http://g.imagehost.org/0347/DSC7185.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0347/DSC7185)

Lots of lovely detailing in the marble.
http://g.imagehost.org/0143/DSC7166.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0143/DSC7166)

http://j.imagehost.org/0287/DSC7168.jpg (http://j.imagehost.org/view/0287/DSC7168)

http://g.imagehost.org/0518/DSC7173.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0518/DSC7173)

http://g.imagehost.org/0262/DSC7193.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0262/DSC7193)

This was the floor of the entry hall, as soon as you walk in.
http://j.imagehost.org/0354/DSC7226.jpg (http://j.imagehost.org/view/0354/DSC7226)

Final room I went into.
http://j.imagehost.org/0265/DSC7246.jpg (http://j.imagehost.org/view/0265/DSC7246)

All in all a very nice place, would love to get back there when there weren't so many people everywhere.

[Revelation_Space]

Thanks Canonite, that was really interesting. I was kinda surprised when I saw them, they were all acting very gentlemanly and open and honest etc, which was kind of in contrast with what I'd read about them.

Here's a closeup of that organ. I didn't take any proper pics of it, so this is just a tighter crop. Looks electric to me.

http://j.imagehost.org/0018/DSC7056-2.jpg (http://j.imagehost.org/view/0018/DSC7056-2)