Another wonderful ceremony held at St Giles Cathedral
Leading figures from Edinburgh’s business community have taken part in a traditional ceremony which dates back to Scotland’s first Parliament.
Dressed in ceremonial gowns, members of The Edinburgh Merchant Company attended the Kirking of the Master service at another ancient symbol of Scotland’s capital city – St. Giles’ Cathedral.
The Edinburgh Merchant Company can trace its roots back to the 15th century. Originally formed to protect the trading rights of merchants within the city, The Merchant Company today has over 500 members and continues to work on behalf of businesses in Edinburgh and the surrounding area. It also runs three of the country’s best known independent schools educating over 5400 pupils annually, in addition to funding enterprise and education initiatives for young people and caring for Edinburgh’s elderly population by providing pensions and other assistance and through substantial funding for sheltered housing.
At this year’s event, former Treasurer of The Edinburgh Merchant Company, Ian Watson, was installed as The Master. Ian, who is a successful businessman in Edinburgh, takes over the post from Kenneth Dunbar who sadly died following a short illness in April.
Ian said:-“It is a great honour and a privilege to be elected as Master of this great and ancient organisation. The Merchant Company does a huge amount of good work within the city with both young people and the frail and elderly and I will do my best to live up to the high standards laid down by the 262 Old Masters that have gone before me.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
Such an interesting day and a real chance to celebrate the achievements of this magnificent city. Congratulations to the new Master, Mr Ian Watson and his great achievement. A real privilege to play a part in this historical and traditional event. An interesting and enjoyable article.
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