An interesting thread, however, did emerge surrounding the dealings and relationships on the Isle of Lewis through connections to the Scottish Freemasons. The Grand Lodge of the Scottish Freemasons were founded in 1736, following the emergence of the Grand Lodge of English Freemasons in 1717, although both had earlier roots.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry_in_Scotland

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Grand_Master_Masons_of_the_Grand_Lodge_of_Scotland

The second Grandmaster in Scotland was George MacKenzie 3rd Earl of Cromartie from 1737-8. He along with several of his successors came out in support of Bonnie Prince Charlie in the second Jacobite rebellion. The Earl and his 20 year old son, John MacKenzie (Lord MacLeod), called out the clans and succeeded in raising about 500 men. Cromartie's Regiment, as the force was called, joined the Prince at Stirling in January 1746 and fought at the Battle of Falkirk.

Cromartie’s regiment then went north to capture Dunrobin Castle, a mile north of Golspie in Sutherland. This was the last siege battle fought in Britain. On April 15th, 1746, the day before the battle of Culloden, about 400 of the force were defeated between Skelbo and Dunrobin Castles. The Earl of Cromartie and his 20 year old son Lord MacLeod (John MacKenzie) were among 218 prisoners who were captured by government militia while rushing south to rejoin the main Jacobite army.

After Culloden, one-third of the prisoners died in brutal captivity, 152 survived to be transported to exile in Barbados, Jamaica and the American colonies. A lucky ten were pardoned including Lord MacLeod, who was pardoned on condition that within six months of his 21st birthday he would convey to the Crown all his rights in the Earldom. He did so, then departed for a distinguished military career in Europe. The captured Jacobite Lairds, including Cromartie, were imprisoned in the Tower of London and sentenced by trial in the House of Lords to beheading. Cromartie’s sentence was commuted to a lifetime of house arrest in England after his pregnant wife pleaded for mercy with the King and Duke of Cumberland. Cromartie spent the next two decades locked away in poverty stripped of lands and title, until his death 29 September 1766 in Poland Street, London.

Others were not so fortunate. The 4th Earl of Kilmarnock, William Boyd, husband of Lady Anne Livingston of Callendar, was executed 18 Aug 1746. [Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Scotland : 1743] and Charles Ratcliffe, de jure 4th Earl of Derwentwater, husband of Lady Charlotte Livingston, the Countess of Newburgh, executed 8 Dec 1746, (Younger brother of the Earl of Derwentwater, executed for his part in the 1715 rising.) [Grand Master, Grand Lodge of France: 1736-38].

Thomas Erskine, Lord Erskine (1705 – 16 March 1766), the 14^th Grandmaster (1748-50) was the son of John Erskine, 6th Earl of Mar. He could not inherit the title of Earl of Mar due to the Writ of Attainder for treason passed against his father in 1716 for his role in the First Jacobite Rebellion (1715).[1]

Lodge Fortrose was founded in Stornoway in 1767. The founding members were: Archibald Smith, collector: John Wylie. surveyor of His Majesty's Customs of Stornoway: Doctor John McCaskill: Murdoch McKenzie. senior: John Mclver Normand McLeod; Kenneth McKenzie, junior and Neil McLeod, merchants; Lieut. Hector McNeil: Malcolm McNeil, shipmaster: Alex. Anderson, schoolmaster; Murdoch MacKenzie, Senior Warden; Normand McLeod Junior Warden; John Mclver. Secretary; John Wyle. Treasurer; Kenneth McKenzie. junior Steward, and George Bartleman, Tyler.

Kenneth Viscount Fortrose and 6th Earl of Seaforth, from whose title the L,odge derives Its name, died in 1781. He was succeeded by his cousin, Col. Thomas Frederick MacKenzie, who was killed in India In 1783, and was then succeeded by his brother, Francis Humberston MacKenzie, the Grand Master of Lodge Fortrose. In 1797, he was raised to the peerage under the style of Lord Seaforth, and Baron MacKenzie of Kintall, and died on 11th January, 1815, at Edinburgh, predeceased by four sons, the last male representative of bis race. Lord Seaforth held the position of Grand Master from 1797 to 1815.

MASTERS OF LODGE FORTROSE FROM 1769-1845.

1769 -1770 - Archibald Smith, Collector of Customs.

1771 -1772—Bailie John McEiver.

1773 - 1796—No record.

1798 – 1799 Francis Humberston Mackenzie. Lord Seaforth, who occupied the position of "Grand Master" till hls death in 1815. John Reid, Comptroller of Customs, was the first D. M.

1798-1799—Malcolm McNeil. Merchant. Initiated 1797.

1800-1801—Roderick Mclver. Comptroller of Customs, afterwards removed to Thurso. Initiated 1797. Died 1834.

1802-1803—James Robertson. Collector of Customs. Initiated 9th Sept.. 1797.

1804-1806—James Chapman. Chamberlain of the Lews. Initiated 26th Dec. 1800.

1808-1809- Kenneth Mclver, Postmaster. Initiated »th Sept. 1797.

1808-1809—Malcolm McNeil, Merchant, second term of office.

1810-1811—James Robertson, Collector. second term.

1812-1815—Roderick Mclver, Comptroller, second term.

1816-1821—Kenneth Mclver. second terrm. First R.W.M. after Lord Seaforth.

1822-1826—James Robertson collector, third term.

1826-1827—Roderick Mclver, Comptroller, third term.

1828-1829—John McKenzie, senior, Merchant Initiated 6th February, 1800.

1830-1881—John McAulay. Merchant. Initiated 13th September. 1802. Son of Malcolm McAulay, farmer. Died 17th October, 1876. Aged 96.

1832-1833—Kenneth McKenzie Comptroller of Customs. Afterwards removed to Aberdeen. Initiated 5th January, 1815

1834-1837 – Lewis McIver, farmer Gress. Initiated 26th December, 1801.

1838-18S9—Roderick Morisson, Merchant, afterwards Banker. Initiated 26th December 1829. Died 15^th January 1875 aged 1863, aged 69.

1840-1841—Malcolm McAulay. merchant, brother of John McAulay. Initiated 19^th December, 1822. Died 16th January, 1876, aged 86.

1842-1843—Lewis Mclver, Gress, second term.

1844-1846—John McAulay, Merchant, second term.

……

1886-1887 – William Gillanders, Accountant afterwards Chamberlain of the Lews. Initiated 3^rd March 1874.

It is interesting to note amongst the Register and Roll of Members:

58 Rev Donald MacDonald Minister Barvas 27^th Dec 1797

97 David MacGregor Stornoway 6^th Dec 1798

134 James Chapman Chamberlain Stornoway 26^th Dec 1800

157 George Gillanders Farmer Shullishader 14^th Feb 1802

268 Alexander MacDonald Ullapool 4^th March 1813

along with several other MacDonalds. William MacGregor, however, is conspicuously absent.

A scanned copy of the original Annals of Lodge Fortrose are available online at https://ia801700.us.archive.org/12/items/cihm_84311/cihm_84311.pdf .

There is a picture inside p23 of the members in 1847, which includes the Rev John Macrae.

https://stornowayhistoricalsociety.org.uk/fortrose/

http://fortrose108.co.uk/page5.html