As with most rumours, of course, the suggestions were mostly the result of non-members' lack of knowledge about how their local Masonic lodges operated under a perceived shroud of secrecy.

Recently, though, the Grand Lodge of Scotland has tried to put those rumours and misconceptions to rest by opening up the organisation and its lodges to members of the public.

On Bute, those moves took the form of an open weekend at the Lodge Rothesay St John No. 292 in the town's Chapelhill Road - and we, and many others, seized the opportunity to learn more about the local organisation's history, beliefs and charitable activities.

"There has been so much adverse publicity about the Lodge of Scotland in recent years that we were told to open the doors to the public," Rothesay lodge member Ian Harrison told us.

"It's just been in the last couple of years that the Grand Lodge of Scotland has been saying to be a bit more open about things."

"It's to widen people's understanding of Freemasonry," added fellow member Craig Baxter.

The lodge's main hall was given over to an exhibition area, where curious members of the public could come and contemplate the rich 186-year history of the Masonic Lodge on Bute.

One of the most striking and attention-grabbing visual images is the mural of the seven wonders of the ancient world along one wall of the hall - a mural which depicts the Coliseum in Rome and the Pyramids in Egypt, which were all built by masons many centuries ago.

A handful of smaller murals are spread out around the room representing key moments in masonic history.

"These murals are unique," said Mr Harrison. "You won't see them anywhere else in the world."

Although Freemasonry is an ancient grouping which spans many civilisations and eras, it is believed to have taken root in Scotland at least five hundred years ago among the band of working, skilled, builders known as 'masons' - or stonemasons.

The traditional framework into which most Masonic teachings are woven is the story and symbolism of the construction King Solomon's temple – an ancient temple which, according to the Bible, was built in antiquity.

From medals representing the exploits of their members and pictures of previous events to the original membership books containing the names of all its past members, many items were laid out for the Rothesay public to peruse and uncover or dispel some of the preconceptions they may have had on the society.

I also discovered that the Bard himself, Robert Burns, was a celebrated Freemason, and that some of his writings and poems contain some of the main principles and beliefs apparent in Freemasonry.

Many creeds and religions are welcome within the Freemasons, but they must share one main belief - in one Supreme Being.

Their principles are steady standards of life and conduct, meant to help them work and live in a changing world.

"A lot of principles of masonry have been borrowed by others and have been used in their organisations," said Rothesay lodge member Ian McLachlan.

"Everything has got a meaning - it is all relative towards life and how to lead it."

The open day also coincided with the centenary celebrations of the Rothesay lodge, and was an ideal opportunity to allow those curious about the group to discover the eye-catching artefacts and heavy symbolism which are an important aspect of the Masonic tradition.

I asked a few of those members present what had originally attracted them to join the Freemasons.

"My pals were in it to start with," said Mr Harrison, "and, as you can see, they do some good things in the community."

"Family tradition has a lot to do with it for many members," said Mr McLachlan, "as well as a bit of curiosity."

The Freemasons also carry out a wide range of charity work, but this is rarely publicised - though the Grand Lodge of Scotland recently donated £250,000 to the Children's Hospice Association Scotland.

"Basically we are very private," said Mr McLachlan. "We do a lot of charity work but we don't tend to boast about it."

And there's charitable activity on a local level too.

"This year as well we are going to be gifting presents to churches for distribution to under-privileged children," Craig Baxter revealed.

"And at a provincial level every couple of years we do a sponsored tour of the West Island Way.

"Most of the money raised goes to local charities and the rest is distributed nationally through the Grand Lodge of Scotland."