Interested in joining? Drop us a message! The story of Lodge Lour No. 3009 begins long before its name first appeared in the Masonic registers. On 14 February 1824, at a committee meeting of the Loyal Strathmore and Forfar Castle of Oddfellows Friendly Society, the chairman, Skene Blair, presided over a discussion that would change the organisation’s direction entirely. It was at this meeting that
the members considered forming a Masonic lodge in place of the Friendly Society. In essence, Lodge Lour began its life as the Strathmore and Forfar Castle of Oddfellows. Although little is known today about the Oddfellows branch involved—records in Scotland are sparse and difficult to trace—the topic remains one worthy of future exploration. At that meeting, it was agreed that the new lodge would be established in the style of a Lower Lodge of Freemasons. Samuel Cowie was chosen to serve as Master, and Alexander Christie as Secretary. Christie was instructed to write to the two lodges within the district—The Ancient Lodge of Forfar Kilwinning No. 90 and Glamis No. 99—requesting that they examine the proposed lodge’s knowledge of the sublime degrees of Masonry, with the goal of forwarding a petition to Grand Lodge. A committee was duly formed to facilitate the application, and on 4 May 1824, a charter was granted. According to the surviving minutes, no major consecration ceremony was held to mark the occasion. However, at the meeting of 17 May, the new Right Worshipful Master proposed that Patrick Carnegie, Esquire of Lour, be admitted a free member of the lodge, recognising his assistance in securing the charter and granting permission for the use of his estate’s name. For many decades, the lodge was known as The Lower Lodge of Forfar. The name Lodge Lour did not begin to appear in records until the early 1880s, seemingly for no deliberate reason—most likely the result of a secretary’s misspelling that eventually became permanent. While compiling this history, two general truths about early Freemasonry became evident. First, as any secretary who has attempted to decipher old minute books will attest, much of the handwriting is all but illegible—with Provincial Grand Lodge reports often being the worst. Second, lodges had an enduring fondness for committees. They formed committees for nearly every matter that arose. For over forty years, the Friendly Society and the lodge operated side by side without notable issue. But in 1866, two brethren complained to Provincial Grand Lodge that they had been barred from holding office or voting unless they were members of the Friendly Society. Provincial Grand Lodge took considerable exception, declared the election void, and ordered it to be rerun. They also instructed the lodge to begin keeping its own minute and cash books. No further references to the Friendly Society appear after this point. Around the same period, Lodge Airlie in Kirriemuir lodged a protest with Provincial Grand Lodge, claiming that the Lower Lodge was not charging new entrants the full fee required by Grand Lodge. Another reprimand followed. Finding a Home
The earliest minute books contain few details, making reconstruction of early years a challenge. The lodge met in various houses and hotels, usually premises owned by the sitting Master. In 1879, a proposal was put forward to investigate the possibility of constructing a new lodge building. As expected, a committee was formed. Two possible sites were identified—one close to the lodge’s existing location, and another in Castle Street. The former was sold at auction for more than the available budget, so Castle Street was selected. The foundation stone was laid on 28 July 1881 by Grand Lodge, with many local lodges participating in the procession from the Reid Hall. The lodge held its first meeting in the new building on 28 April 1882. Contrary to modern assumptions, the lodge did not own the hall; it leased it. A building committee—essentially a syndicate—managed the property, though ownership rested with A. Scott, a farmer and likely a lodge member. During this time, Forfar Kilwinning No. 90, the lodge’s sister lodge and original sponsor, met in the same building for roughly eighteen months, bringing the history almost full circle. It was around this period that the lodge ordered the five purple chairs still in use today. They cost £18—a sum that proved to be a long term investment, as the chairs have endured many re upholsterings over the years. In 1915, the hall was requisitioned by the military—though the specific branch is not recorded—and the lodge was forced to vacate for nearly two years, returning on 30 November 1916. In total, the lodge remained at Castle Street for approximately 55 years before relocating to Osnaburg Street. The Bible currently on display was donated during this time and, like the chairs, has been refurbished more than once. The lodge later moved to two rooms above the Masons Arms public house, remaining there for two years, then returning to Osnaburg Street for a further eight. During the Second World War, the Polish Army was granted use of the lodge’s premises for an officers’ mess. The landlord threatened to sue the lodge for allowing this, but several letters from solicitors settled the matter. In 1956, the lodge returned to the Reid Hall, where it remained for 58 years until relocating to its present home in 2014. Masters of Distinction
Across its long history, Lodge Lour has been guided by many distinguished Masters. The first, Samuel Cowie, remains something of a mystery—he may have been a member of one of the lodges that sponsored the charter. Later came the renowned Peter Reid, Master from 1870 to 1871, celebrated for his confectionery and for his generous gifts to the town, including the Reid Hall and Reid Park.
