Edinburgh'S Secret Clubs

The Puffin club is an Edinburgh dining institution. It is said that former Lord Lyon and Clan Chief, Sir Iain Moncrieffe, created the Puffin for his then wife, the Countess of Errol, High Constable of Scotland. Sir Iain is also responsible for the creation of another elite body, the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, and the overlap in membership between puffins and the standing council does not go unnoticed.
The club had its 'hay day' during the 1960s and 1970s. A copy... of Burke's landed gentry was always on the table at meetings. A significant number of the entrants list the Puffin as their club of choice.
It now meets monthly on a Thursday, in both Edinburgh and London. Membership is strictly by invitation. Eligibility is that one's ancestors fought at the Battle of Flodden, or would have fought had they been present.
http://archive.spectator.co.uk/…/…/22 /the-puffin-of-that-ilk
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Since at least the 16th century Scotland and Edinburgh has been a European centre for Rosicrucianism and Rosicrucian ideas. Today in Edinburgh, the Metropolitan College of the Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia (SRIS) continues that tradition. Meeting in the Edinburgh old town to discuss the great questions of nature and science which have baffled the most learned of Edinburgh's citizens for centuries. Fratres of the College progress through various grades from the I Zelator through to Magus, IX grade. The SRIS is governed by a Supreme Magus.

An Edinburgh's secret clubs roving reporter has finally tracked down one of Edinburgh's most mysterious societies. The Order of the Grey Monks of St Giles. This literary club was founded in 1852 and includes prominent member's of Edinburgh's professional establishment. The order still exists and is currently meeting in the Edinburgh New Club. Member's take on a new name on joining the order which is fixed to their seat on a brass plaque.

http://www.historyshelf.org/shelf/friend/ 08.php

http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/… /secret-men-only-soc…

http://www.goldendawnpedia.com/HistoryP†¦/…/JWBrodieInnes.htm

The Most Ancient and Most Puissant Order of the Beggar's Benison and Merryland, Anstruther, better known simply as The Beggar's Benison, was a Scottish gentlemen's club devoted to "the convivial celebration of male sexuality". It was founded in 1732 in the town of Anstruther in Fife. Later an Edinburgh Chapter of the order was created and the Prince of Wales was admitted as a member. Following his admission to the order, he was granted the diploma (pictured) below. Attemp...ts were made to resurrect the order in the 20th century, but these were not successful. More recently, a book on the order was published by David Stevenson professor of History at St Andrews University.
The full title of the club is "The Most Ancient and Most Puissant Order of the Beggar's Benison and Merryland, Anstruther", where the word 'Merryland' is a euphemism for the female body - used often in contemporary erotic literature. The word 'benison' means 'blessing' and, according to the founders, the club's name came from a story about King James V, "The Gude-man of Ballangeich", who:
"in the disguise of a bagpiper, was journeying to the East Neuk of Fife. Failing to cross the Dreel Burn, in spate, a buxom gaberlunzie lass came to the rescue, tucked up her petticoats, and elevated her Sovereign across her hurdies to the opposite bank. Enamoured with the high favour, his Majesty in return gave the damsel her fairin' for which "the gude-man" got her "benison"!"
The woman blessed him with the words "May your purse ne'er be toom [empty] and your horn aye [always] in bloom". The club's motto thus became, "May prick nor purse ne'er fail you".
The club's founding members included some of the most influential people in the area surrounding Anstruther, including:
Lord Newark (grandson of David Leslie, Lord Newark) Sir Charles Erskine of Cambo, 3rd Baronet, and Thomas and John Erskine who were probably his younger brothers Robert Hamilton of Kilbrackmont, a local landowner who died in poverty James Grahame, baillie of Anstruther Easter William Ayton or Aytoun of Kinaldy, landowner John McNachtane, customs officer, nominal chief of the dispersed Highland clan, and cousin to the 2nd earl of Breadalbane, was the club's sovereign for nearly 30 years.
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Edinburgh

A visit inside Archer's Hall.

As its around Haloween, we thought this might be relevant. This full working witches temple is located in Niddrie Street Edinburgh and is used for the practice of the Wiccan religion.

http://www.lck2.co.uk/

http://www.edinburghlol234.com/orangeorde r.html

The Ballantine Degree was constituted by a group of whisky loving Swedish freemasons after they have visited Scotland for many years. The degree is worked annually at the Edinburgh Masonic club. Membership now extends to around 100 members from both Sweden and Scotland. Although the exact nature of the ceremony is kept secret, it is known that the cost of membership is a half bottle of Ballantine's whisky, and much drinking and frivolity takes place during the ceremony.