The premier Grand Lodge was inaugurated in 1717 by the association in London of what were known as the Four Old Lodges.

 

They gradually embraced other existing Lodges and formed new Lodges in all parts of the country.

 

However in 1751 a serious challenge arose from certain Masons who claimed that Grand Lodge had departed from some of the more ancient usages of the Craft.

 

They received no satisfaction and thereupon revived those ancient usages.

 

As a consequence they became commonly known as Antients to distinguish them from the Moderns, the term then applied to the Brethren of the premier Grand Lodge.

 

The Antients formed their own Grand Lodge and somewhat later became known as Atholl Masons from the fact that successive Dukes of Atholl filled the office of Grand Master.