in Ayrshire, Scotland
This page is devoted to Freemasonry in so far as it concerns individuals of Kilmarnock and Kilwinning. The green and gold of Kilmarnock is also the regalia colours of the majority of lodges under
The Grand Lodge of Antient Free & Accepted Masons of Scotland.A petition for the formation of Lodge St.John Kilwinning Kilmarnock No.22 was dated November 1734. The reason given was the long distance from Mother Lodge Kilwinning, and the petition was signed by, amongst others, Lord Kilmarnock. Two tokens (below right) of Lodge St.John have clearly adopted the Boyd arms ie. the crest of a hand with two fingers turned down, and the two squirrels as supporters.
The third token shown (below right) is of Lodge St.Marnock Kilmarnock No.109, with the two squirrels as supporters; the crest here is different from that of the Boyd arms, having the hand open.
From 1734-41 the first Right Worshipful Master of St.John Kilwinning Kilmarnock No.22 was William Boyd, the 4th Earl of Kilmarnock. In 1742 he became the Right Worshipful Master of Mother Kilwinning No.0, and in 1742-43 was Grand Master Mason of Scotland. In 1743, at the recommendation of the Earl of Kilmarnock, the first Military Lodge was erected under the Grand Lodge, all petitioners belonging to 'Colonel Lees' regiment', later the 55th Foot.
In 1751, James, Lord Boyd, eldest son of the 4th Earl of Kilmarnock (later the 13th Earl of Errol) succeeded to the chair of the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
ROBERT BURNS
Robert Burns was born on the 25th of January 1759 in Alloway. He became a Freemason in Lodge Tarbolton Kilwinning St.James No.135 on 4 July 1781, and was their Deputy Master for four years (1784-1788). When resident at Ellisland Farm he was affiliated to Lodge St.Andrew, Dumfries, No.179 - which became known as 'Burns's Lodge'.
A masonic apron presented to Burns in 1791 is shown among the Burns-related photographs.
Burns' masonic poem 'The Farewell' was written for the brethren of Lodge St.James No. 135.
He was made an honorary member of Lodge St.John Kilwinning Kilmarnock No.22 on 26 October 1786, to which lodge his masonic song 'Ye Sons of Auld Killie' was dedicated.
The Stewart Watson painting of The Inauguration of Robert Burns as Poet Laureate of Canongate Kilwinning Lodge No.2 in 1787 is familiar to Scottish Freemasons; it is an artistic construction, however, for he did not receive the honour personally.
The mason's mark of Burns is inscribed on the Bible presented by him to 'Highland' Mary Campbell. This Bible is in the Burns National Heritage Park, Alloway, Ayrshire. The mark can be seen on Plate 4 of 'The History of Free Masonry and The Grand Lodge of Scotland' by William Alexander Laurie, (Seton & Mackenzie) 1859, and is on a small image here.
Robert Burns died on 21 July 1796, and is buried in St.Michael's Churchyard, Dumfries.
The Kilmarnock historian Archibald McKay (1801-1883) was initiated into Lodge St.John Kilwinning Kilmarnock No.22 in 1860; he became the Poet Laureate of the Lodge in the same year (enjoy McKay's poetry 'Ma First Bawbee' here).
One of the bodies having an association with Freemasonry is The Corporation O' Squaremen.
It exists for the promotion of social fellowship among its masonic members, and it is claimed by some to be the survivor of the Corporation of Squaremen in Ayrshire who subscribed to the Schaw Statutes. According to Murray Lyon's History of St.Mary's Chapel "Squaremen were represented in the St.Clair Charter of 1628".
A history and the website of the Corporation o' Squaremen is here.
The Baron of Kilmarnock is a Master Mason of Lodge Odin No.917, a RA Mason of Hamnavoe Chapter No.617, a Knight of the Temple (Preceptory of St.Magnus), a Knight of Malta (Priory of St.Magnus), a Knight of St. John, and a Knight of The Red Cross of Constantine (Cross of St.Clair Conclave No.XV).
He is a founder member of The Preceptory of Dunbar Castle and is a brither (sic) of the Squaremen's Heilan' Shed No.6 in Inverness, Scotland.
PHOTOGRAPHS : Click here to see photographs relating to this page.
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