"Leaving their Mark on History" The Stonemasons.

Wed, Jul 23rd 2025 at 12:40 pm - 2:00 pm

Former member Andrew Johnson explained

Andrew is a past member of our Club and an enthusiast in musical theatre and many other interests.

'Leaving their mark on history' was the title of the fascinating talk given to members by Andrew Johnson, describing how stone masons could start to learn their trade from the age of twelve, serving a seven year apprenticeship to become journeymen who would then design and register their individual Mason's marks. The marks were varied in design and shape but commonly comprised a combination of straight lines often based on the masons initials or favourite shapes. Much of the stone used in and around St Andrews came from quarries at Strathkinness, Nydie, Edenside and Kincaple. Scottish stone was exported for projects in India, Australia and the United States where New York's Brownstone buildings were constructed from exported stone. Balmerino Abbey was constructed from stone quarried by Cistercian monks from land at Nydie near Strathkinness in the 13th century, and St Rule's Tower is faced with Strathkinness stone. Medieval stonemasons were held in high regard and, when renovation work on the St Andrews cathedral was carried out in the early 1900s, workmen discovered a carved stone which, it is thought, depicts a monastic mason. The vote of thanks for this most informative talk was given by past president Colin Mitchell.