Semi hidden Masonic treasures of Edinburgh

I have sort of lost track of the past few days, been busy with all sorts of things - however - out of the blue, passing comments about the pillars / statues at either end of the Meadows, Edinburgh, which are now relatively well hidden by trees I discovered that there was a history there. My Uncle had a book in his book case which showed the pillars as they were first constructed in 1886, one by the Freemasons of Leith, and the other by the Freemasons of Edinburgh, to act as the entrance pillars of the great exhibition which took place in the meadows in 1886. Totally fascinating, each pillar, designed by James Gowans, Lord Dean of Guild, erected by the masons, each level of stone from a different quarry from both Scotland and the north of England, bearing the Imperial crest; the crests of Scotland ;the crests of England; Scotland;Ireland, the nineteen Scottish Burghs and the crest of the Edinburgh masons.

Each level of stone also had the anme of the quarry which suppliled the sone, masked to g.ive a later indcation as to how well the stone had worn over time. Each level was also hewen by different styles.

The primary masons involved in the work left their respective marks on the pillars.

The principal architect, James Gowans, was also responsible for the construction of the model Tenement on the site of the Exhibition, and a book was written of his project. he also laid a half mile of railway track across the site on which ran a small train, the power being from a 5hp engine which drove a dynamo to run an electric engine to show the potential of the electric engine.