On 17 November 1764 the SPECULATIVE SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH (Spec) was founded by six men including Edinburgh's most established publisher of the day, WILLIAM CREECH, acknowledged as the prime instigator, and ALLAN MACONOCHIE, LORD MEADOWBANK.LINK

In the next three years the following persons had been admitted by majority ballot to the "Spec" and their names are recorded as Members of the Society in 1814, AND THEY WERE ALL MEMBERS OF THE SAME MASONIC LODGE.

The names of the above fifteen persons, to include Creech and Maconochie, are recorded in the Roll of Members of Lodge Canongate Kilwinning No 2, a Masonic temple in Edinburgh's St John's Street, just off the Royal Mile.LINK

Canongate Kilwinning is arguably the most prestigious Masonic Lodge in Scotland and is still active today, having Knights Templar and Royal Arch Chapters within its walls and is known as the "Grand Supreme Royal Arch Chapter".

This is not taking into account the Scottish Rite, which is housed within the premises of the United Grand Lodge of Scotland in George Street, Edinburgh.LINK This exclusive "gang" hosts the minority of Masons, but has 4th degree members conferred through to the 33rd degree: the Grand Inspectors General. LINK