THE LORDSHIP & BARONY OF KILMARNOCK
FREEMASONRY This page is devoted to Freemasonry, in so far as it concerns individuals associated with Kilmarnock and Kilwinning. The green and gold of Kilmarnock is the regalia colours of most 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. 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 (token shown below, centre), and in1742-43 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. The two tokens of Lodge St. John No.22 (above, left) have clearly adopted the Boyd arms ie. the crest of a hand with two fingers turned down, and two squirrels as supporters. The token of Lodge St. Marnock Kilmarnock No.109 also shown above is similar with the two squirrels as supporters, the crest here differing from the Boyd arms by having the hand open. 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). Burns' masonic poem 'The Farewell' was written for the brethren of Lodge St.James No.135. A Lodge No.135 token is shown above, right. 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 (see PHOTOGRAPHS link below). 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 (see PHOTOGRAPHS link below). Note that it is an artistic construction, 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 aged 37 years on the 21st July 1796, and is buried in St.Michael's Churchyard, Dumfries. To read more of Burns in Freemasonry, see page 162 onwards of A. Mackey's 'Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry Part1' on line here. ARCHIBALD McKAY 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). THE CORPORATION OF SQUAREMEN The Corporation O' Squaremen is one of several bodies having an association with Freemasonry. 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". THE CORK DEGREE 'The Cork' is an informal fun Degree in Freemasonry with the aim (more or less!) of raising money for charities. The Degree can only be given in a place of Masonic meetings and in Scotland it cannot be conferred in a place of public entertainment eg. licenced premises. The tradition is probably stronger in Scotland than elsewhere, and in Scotland the 'noble order of the cork' comes under the discipline of the Royal Arch. The Degree cannot be conferred on anyone who is not a Master Mason in good standing. BARON OF KILMARNOCK Eur Ing David Ayre is a Master Mason and a Mark Master Mason of Lodge Odin No.917. He is a Knight of the Temple (Preceptory of St. Magnus), a Knight of Malta (Priory of St.Magnus), a Knight of St.John, a Knight of The Red Cross of Constantine (Cross of St.Clair Conclave No.XV) and a founder life member of The Preceptory of Dunbar Castle. David is a brither [sic] of the Squaremen's Heilan' Shed No.6 in Inverness, Scotland. He received the Cork Degree at the 'Lodge of Antient and Estimable Corks' Maeshowe R.A. Chapter No.209 in 1982 . . . so, so long ago! PHOTOGRAPHS : Click HERE to see photographs relating to this page. |
 |
 The Grand Lodge of Scotland  Mother Lodge Kilwinning No.0  Mother Lodge Kilwinning No.0  St. John Kilwinning No.22  St. John Kilwinning No.22  St. Marnock Kilwinning No.109  Tarbolton St.James No.135  Ye Corporation o' Squaremen  Lodge Odin Centenary  Lodge Odin No.917 |