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Mark Coleman Wallace PhD Thesis - University of St Andrews

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The final analysis shows that during the eighteenth century, Scottish<br />

freemasonry ebbed and flowed. Overall representation in the smaller Districts<br />

was fairly consistent and stable, with fluctuations paralleling the general rise and<br />

fall <strong>of</strong> numbers throughout the century. Certainly, between 1736 and 1800,<br />

Scottish freemasonry did expand in terms <strong>of</strong> new lodges and Provincial<br />

Districts. Figures 3.6 and 3.7 suggest, however, that with the exception <strong>of</strong><br />

noticeable spikes in the larger Districts, the broader picture is one <strong>of</strong> early gains<br />

overshadowed by a gradual decline from 1736 to 1800.<br />

Number <strong>of</strong> Lodges<br />

Number <strong>of</strong> Lodges<br />

30<br />

25<br />

20<br />

15<br />

10<br />

5<br />

0<br />

Western<br />

Lodges<br />

Figure 3.6. Overall Trends <strong>of</strong> the Five Largest Districts 1736-1800<br />

Dumfries &<br />

Galloway<br />

Aberdeen &<br />

Angus<br />

Districts<br />

Highlands Edinburgh<br />

Figure 3.7. Overall Trends <strong>of</strong> the Six Smallest Districts 1736-1800<br />

9<br />

8<br />

7<br />

6<br />

5<br />

4<br />

3<br />

2<br />

1<br />

0<br />

-1Fife<br />

<strong>St</strong>irling Perth &<br />

Kinross<br />

Districts<br />

Borders Orkney &<br />

Shetland<br />

Western<br />

Isles<br />

1736-1750<br />

1751-1765<br />

1766-1785<br />

1786-1800<br />

1736-1750<br />

1751-1765<br />

1766-1785<br />

1786-1800<br />

89

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