Speaker Evening

The Incorporation of Hammermen of Edinburgh was the fascinating subject of a talk at the Rotary Club of South Queensferry on Thursday 27th October. Retired solicitor  Gordon Wylie described the origin of the Hammermen as a guild for metalworkers formed around 1477. Trades such as blacksmiths, farriers, armourers, cutlers and sword slippers were represented and clock and watchmakers were allowed to join at a later date when gold and silversmiths broke away to form their own guild. Not only did Gordon's talk give an intriguing insight on business in early Edinburgh, he included many historical facts about the development of civic government in the city. Merchants were allowed to sit on the City Council, but trade guilds had to be represented by elected deacons. This practice was recently revived for ceremonial purposes by then Lord Provost Donald Wilson at the Edinburgh Riding of the Marches. The Hammermen are custodians of the famous Blue Blanket, a flag presented by James III when the tradesmen rescued him from prison in Edinburgh Castle. The guilds are entitled to muster under it whenever the king or the rights of tradesmen are threatened. Until 1858, the Hammermen owned the Magdalen Chapel in the Cowgate. Its magnificent Deacon's Chair shows the importance and standing of the incorporation in the early 18th century. At the present day, the Hammermen is one of the largest, most thriving and most active incorporations in Edinburgh. It awards an annual prize for engineering and maintains important contacts with the engineering departments of Edinburgh College and Heriot Watt University. As a result of its charitable fund, the incorporation has also been able to help many other worthy causes.

President Graham Leith was in the chair, Kinley Macdonald introduced the speaker and the vote of thanks was proposed by Matt Purdie.