St.Peter's Operative Lodge No.284

No doubt many readers will recall the Johnnie Walker advert and slogan 'Born 1820; still going strong'. The same applies to St Peter's Lodge which received its Charter from the Grand Lodge of Scotland on the 7th February 1820.

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At that time there were already two Lodges in Caithness,
St John's Lodge No.(45) in Thurso which originated about 1741 and Lodge St Fergus No 252 in Wick which was granted its Charter around about 1793.

St John's Lodge was the preserve of lairds and landowners, lawyers and merchants and although artisans were admitted they had little say in the manner in which the business of the Lodge was conducted.

In the late 1700s and early 1800s Thurso had five Box Clubs operated by different groups to provide some form of benevolence to members. It is possible that one of these, probably The Trades Society, collapsed which led to the Artisans demand for a Masonic benefit fund to be set up in the Lodge in 1815.

Unable to obtain their objective the Artisans decided to break away from St Johns Lodge. On St John's Day, 28th December 1818 they decided that their Lodge would be called St Peter's Operative, Office-bearers were elected, Regulations were determined for the Lodge and for its Benefit Fund.

The following April they submitted petitions for support to both Thurso and Wick Lodges and had to give reminders to both in October. St John's Lodge refused but on St Andrew's Day 1819 support was received from Lodge St Fergus and the application was forwarded to Grand Lodge who stated that two Lodges were required to support the petition and suggested that either Tain or Inverness be contacted.

Lodge St Duthus, in Tain was approached and after making enquires through a member residing in Thurso.
This was Robert Mc'kid, former Sheriff-Substitute in Sutherland and a Fellow Craft of Lodge St Duthus.

By the end of January 1820 the Petition was sent to Grand Lodge, the Charter was granted on the 7th February 1820 and the first meeting of St Peter's Operative Lodge No 287 was held on 15th February 1820. It was not until 1826 that the Roll of Grand Lodge was established and No 284 became the permanent number. The Minutes of the early Meetings state that they Closed in 'Love and Harmony' but the Meeting place is not revealed.

Lodge St John No.141,(45) became dormant in 1830 and Lodge St Fergus No 252 about ten years later, the present Lodge St Fergus No 466 received its Charter in February 1867. 

Thus St Peter's Operative became the senior Lodge in Caithness.

A special thanks to Bro Hugh Manson. Past Master, Past Provincial Grand Master of Caithness, for his hard work in putting together this Extensive History of St Peter's and our Sister Lodges.