We ‘southerners’ were received very graciously in a true spirit of warm, welcoming, and fraternal fellowship and were also privileged to meet delegations in attendance from the Province of Edinburgh and the Grand Lodge of Scotland including the Deputy Grand Master who came to our own Metropolitan Grand Master’s investiture.

Our wonderful and immensely enjoyable visit demonstrated the innate similarities, yet marked differences, in ritual and regalia between the English and Scottish Constitutions which makes Freemasonry so very interesting and great fun. It was suitably enhanced by authentic haggis, neeps, tatties and of course the rousing tunes of the Pipes.

Founded in 1677, Lodge Canongate Kilwinning meets in the historic Chapel of St John, the oldest purpose-built Masonic room in the world. Dating from 1735, its walls have seen many famous men down through the years, from the Age of the Enlightenment to the present day. It also hosts a Snetzler Pump Organ, installed in 1757 - the same instrument as seen in the background of the historic painting showing Robert Burns in the Temple.

Fortunately, the following day, despite the excesses endured both during and after the Festive Board and having to curtail our trip due to the impending Storm Eowyn, we still managed to attend Scotland’s Freemasons Hall for our fascinating prebooked tour. Apart from housing a Museum and Grand Temple, resplendent with a Brindley and Foster Organ, this ornate historic building is used primarily as an administrative headquarters.

Many thanks to Metropolitan Grand Lodge, the Grand Chancellor’s Office of UGLE, the Grand Lodge of Scotland, Province of Edinburgh and CKLNo2 for arranging and consenting to this, our first visit north of the border. We eagerly look forward to repeating it with more numbers as so agreed.

Life at Yorick continues to flourish – the 18^th March Meeting was followed by a Blue Table including a buffet and six tastings of very select single malt Tomintoul and Glencadam Speyside whiskies; presented by the grandson of the founder of Angus Distilleries - including a dream dram 25-year-old Glencadam retailing at over £400.

For further details of the Lodge, please contact the Lodge Secretary at:  yorickwhiskylodge@gmail.com

Slainte mhath.

The Editor wishes to make clear that the regular representations of and offers of libation from this Lodge have no bearing on its featuring in Arena…

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 57 Spring 2025 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons - Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in the Arena Issue 57 here.