Lodge of Masonic Temple, Aberdeen

The dial is at the peak of the gable, which faces 18 degrees west of south. It is enclosed in an elaborate carved stone panel with a large open-mouthed sun at the gnomon’s root. The carved and gilded sunface holds a scroll-decorated gnomon. Black painted lines on unpainted stone, with upright numerals VI - IIII, divided to quarter hours, and a Masonic pair of compasses for noon. Below the dial, prominently shown in raised lettering, is ’C V I X I I / A L’, the numerals ’V I’ having a line over them, indicating that they represent the number 6,000. This is interpreted as dating the dial to 1912. AL is Anno Lucis, the Masonic dating convention that adds 4,000 to the year number. 6,000-4,000=2,000. Subtract the preceding 100 and add the succeeding 12, to get 1912. The motto in small letters on the supporting ledge reads: ’HORAS NON NVMERO NISI SERENAS’. Ref: A R Somerville, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 117, 1987, "The Ancient Sundials of Scotland", p68 (E13).