Believed to be the oldest institution in Largs, the masonic lodge is celebrating its 250th anniversary with a special celebration on Saturday.
The masonic movement first came to Largs in the 1767 when a Charter was granted by Lodge Mother Kilwinning allowing the Masons of Largs to meet under the title of Lodge Largs Kilwinning.
Largs had a population of 3000 with the main occupations being fishing and weaving, and the houses mostly had earth floors. The only road to Greenock at that time would be over the moor road. The Largs Post Office didn't open in Tron Place until January 1799.
After its formation the Largs Lodge applied for, and received a new charter from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, dated 2 November 1789.
It is believed that the charter meeting of the Lodge took place in a house in Tron Place in 1789. From 1862, the masons of Largs would be based at The Brisbane Arms Hotel (the George), and Mrs Flarty's Freemason Arms was used between 1862 and 1866 for £1 a year.
The Baking Society's Hall was the next venue until 1870, and then Hunter's Hall.
The Victoria Hall in Nelson Street was used from 1873. In 1875, the new Artillery Hall in Brisbane Road, at the corner of Seamore Street, was used.
In 1910, the current Masonic Lodge at the top end of Frazer Street was built. 
There are principles behind freemasonry. Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth unite freemasons of every colour and creed. The essential qualification for admission is a belief in a supreme being.
Every freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures.
Freemasons are taught to practise charity and to care - not only for their own - but also for the community as a whole.
And freemasons 'strive for truth', requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives.
Freemasons believe that these principles represent a way of achieving higher standards in life.
Masons played a very important part in shaping the district from old churches and cathedrals to various other traditional buildings in the area.
An example of one Largs historical structure which had an integral masonic link is the Largs Pier. On 10 January 1833, the foundation stone of a new pier at Largs was laid with Masonic honours.
Asked about what freemasonry means to modern society, and whether it is still perceived as a secret society, Largs lodge secretary John Watson responded: "The basic principles have never changed, nor will they. People talk about it being a secret society, it is not, it is a society of secrets. There are certain elements where the general public don't know, and shouldn't know. What is important to get across is it is not a religious organisation. It is open to anyone, as long as you believe in a supreme being."
It is not permitted for Freemasons to discuss religion at masonic meetings.
John continued: "I have lived in Japan and have attended masonic meetings attended by Japanese, Chinese, Germans, and all sorts of nationalities and faiths, Muslims, Jewish and Christian people.
"An atheist cannot join the freemasons, it is important that you believe in a supreme being. In the past, people have suggested it is a means of helping your career, but I believe that to be nonsense, and if there are any people who do try and use it in such fashion, then they are totally wrong.
"It helps to make you a better person and helps your morals. Charity is a big thing in freemasonry, but it is not just to big charity organisations, but being charitable towards your fellow man."
The official Grand Lodge of Scotland website states; "Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its precepts by a series of ritual dramas. These remain substantially the same form used in Scottish stonemasons lodges, and use Scottish stonemasons' customs and tools as allegorical guides."
Although women cannot join the freemasonry, they can join a similar umbrella group - the Eastern Star - where both men, who are generally freemasons, and women can join in, and some branches do exist in North Ayrshire including Millport and Dalry.