I take it Guest Catter that you have had dealings with English Lodges? It's just that in Scotland there is, as with so many things a religious element to Freemasonry. As I said my Father, a policeman, was a member, however I subscribe to the Groucho Marx view of joining clubs.
There is no doubt that there is prejudice and ignorance regarding the movement, and I think it has been its own worst enemy in that respect, with all the secret rituals etc. I however do not criticise things I don't know enough about, and I agree with you that they do good work in their local communities.
John