Freemasons in Scotland alter centuries-old tradition to embrace vegans
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The Grand Lodge of Scotland has revealed a centuries-old tradition to allow vegans to become masons.
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Hide AdA spokesman said there was no barrier for vegans to be initiated. He said: "Please remember that it is symbolic and does not need to be real."
The United Grand Lodge of England, the Freemason's sister body, has also embraced a plant-based way of life.
They confirmed vegans can wear regalia made from lambine, a 'high-grade soft-feel plastic'.
But Alan Borsbey, the owner of Scotland's largest masonic showroom - VSL Regalia in Livingston - told The Times he had no intention of selling faux items.
"The aprons we offer are always made of proper lambskin," he said. "For me there is a significance in it and we will always stick with tradition."
A spokeswoman for the Vegan Society added: "It's good to see that provision is being made for vegans in all areas of society.
"This is in line with the Equality Act which says that people with protected beliefs - such as vegans - should not be discriminated against because of those beliefs."