The tron-men (or tronmen) of Edinburgh were an organization of chimney-sweepers named after the Tron, a weighing-beam which was also used as a pillory, that stood outside the Tron Kirk.

They effectively acted as a trade guild or trade union for chimney-sweeping in Edinburgh. Their activities are described in Volume II of Kay's Edinburgh Portraits.[1] They are also depicted in a drawing by David Allen,[2] and mentioned in an 1811 regulation made by Edinburgh Town Council.[3]

The authors of Kay's Edinburgh Portraits describe the tron-men's appearance thus: "They wore flat bonnets—a coat peculiarly formed—and knee-breeches and buckles—with a short apron, A ladder—a besom—with a coil of ropes and a ball, completed their equipment."[1]

The name "trone-men" was in use as early as 1705, in the work Observator; or, A dialogue between a country-man, & a landwart school-master.[4] The tron-men are also referred to in Maitland's The History of Edinburgh, published in 1753.[4]

In 1795, one of their members was expelled for assisting in a hanging.[5] They were effectively disbanded by 1811.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Paterson, James (1885). Kay's Edinburgh Portraits: A Series of Anecdotal Biographies Chiefly of Scotchmen. Hamilton, Adams. p. 130.
  2. ↑ "The Mystery of the Artist(s)". Parliament Square, Edinburgh. 2019-11-13. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
  3. ↑ Council, Edinburgh (Scotland) Town (1811). Regulations for the Tronmen, Chimney-sweepers, and Firemen of Edinburgh. The Council.
  4. 1 2 "Dictionaries of the Scots Language:: SND :: tron". Retrieved 2023-11-10.
  5. 1 2 "Kay's Edinburgh Portraits". electricscotland.com. Retrieved 2023-11-10.


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