Early History of Lodge Kirkwall Kilwinning No 38.2

Early History of Lodge Kirkwall Kilwinning No 382

 

Beginning of Speculative Freemasonry in 18th Century Orkney

The earliest extant records of freemasonry in Orkney (as practised today) are to be found in the archives of Lodge Kirkwall Kilwinning dating from 1st October 1736.

But much earlier beginnings are suggested. Centuries before speculative freemasonry was introduced to Kirkwall, guilds of operative masons were stationed in Kirkwall for a considerable time during the building and construction of St. Magnus Cathedral which was founded in 1137.

There is no written record of the operative guilds who may have constructed the first sections of the Cathedral or other ecclesiastical buildings throughout the islands. It would be idle speculation to recount the changes occurring between laying the foundations of these buildings and the formation of Lodge Kirkwall Kilwinning. We must therefore devote our attention to written evidence alone.

Although the introduction of freemasonry in Scotland is lost in obscurity, it is somewhat striking that an Orkney Earl, William St. Clair, is recorded as holding the appointment of "Patron of the Masons of Scotland" about 1430 and 1440. This predates the transfer of Orkney to Scotland in 1468. The position was designated hereditary and held by the descendants of this earl until 1736 when the last William St. Clair, having no son to claim his honours, placed his resignation before the Grand Lodge of Scotland, which had been inaugurated that year.

In the election of Grand Master, the Grand Lodge of Scotland conferred upon William St. Clair the position of First Grand Master of Scotland, an office which has been elective since this period.

It is worth noting the buildings of Lodge Kirkwall Kilwinning stand on the grounds of Kirkwall Castle, once a formidable stronghold of the St. Clair family.

Our Lodge Charter of 1740 is also signed by the last hereditary Grand Master, William St. Clair

The Charter from the Grand Lodge of Scotland

By April 1739, membership stood at nineteen and quarterly collections were made to lodge exchequer. It was in this year it was decided to procure a "Patent" or Charter from the Grand Lodge of Scotland.

But it was not until 1740, when James Baikie of Tankerness, Provost of Kirkwall and a brother of the first Master, was appointed to the chair that a properly drawn up petition was dispatched by carrier to Edinburgh.

Here is the petition:

Unto the most Worshipful the Grand Master, Grand Wardens and Remnant members of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, the petition of the Right Worshipful James Baikie of Tankerness Esq., Master Robert Sutherland, Junior Warden: and other brethren erected into a Society at Kirkwall, Orkney, hereto subscribe

SHEWETH

That there are a good character who are desirous to be formed into a regular Lodge owning the Grand Lodge and that we are ready and willing to pay all dues and perquisites to the Grand Lodge Ordinary in the like cases.

We, therefore, pray the Most Worshipful, the Grand Master, Grand Wardens etc, will be pleased to grant us a charter erecting us into a regular lodge with all the privileges belonging thereto on payt. of the ordinary dues yrof.

Kirkwall Kilwinning Lodge twenty second of December 1740

Lodge minutes do not mention the Charter again until 1742, when, at a meeting in June, with Bro. Munro Graeme of Graemeshall as RWM, the Charter is presented by Bros, Ross and Young.

Munro Graeme was the father of Alexander Graeme, the Orkney Admiral who was one of Britain’s foremost naval officers of his day, a contemporary and an intimate friend of Lord Nelson.

Why Kirkwall is 'squared'

In 1807, Lodge Mother Kilwinning rejoined the Grand Lodge of Scotland. As she had been chartering lodges in numerous parts of the world, when she rejoined some - but not all - of the 'Kilwinning' Lodges also rejoined.

In 1809, Grand Lodge renumbered all Daughter Lodges.

However, although lodges were supposed to be making annual returns, by 1816 many had not been heard from since 1809! Grand Lodge decided to send letters to all Daughter Lodges. Those that replied were kept on the roll and all the Lodges were renumbered. Many lodges just did not bother to answer the letter, were assumed to be dormant and removed from the roll.

Lodge St Michael in Crieff, Perthshire answered the letter and allocated the number 36. Lodge Kirkwall Kilwinning was declared dormant and therefore did not get a number.

Another renumbering exercise took place in 1822. It was expected this would be the last such exercise as most of the remaining ‘Kilwinning’ lodges had now rejoined Grand Lodge. Again there was considerable confusion as to what lodges were active, what lodges were dormant.

In cases where there was some doubt, rather than re-number every single lodge once again (only to find subsequently they were dormant) Grand Lodge allocated the same number to certain lodges e.g. 381, 382, and so on. It was decided if a Lodge proved dormant, Grand Lodge would simply delete the '1' or the '2', thus avoiding another complete renumbering; that was the theory anyway! So, St Michael was numbered 341 and Kirkwall Kilwinning 342.

But...more lodges appeared with records indicating they should have a much lower number – for example, Lodge St John Kilwinning No. 57 discovered documents dating from 1600 and should probably have been numbered 3, 4, or similar. It appears the patience of Grand Lodge staff was being stretched and in 1826, the Grand Lodge of Scotland decided there would be one last renumbering exercise and the numbers allocated would be permanent.

St Michael was numbered 38 and Kirkwall Kilwinning 382. This could indicate Grand Lodge was still unsure if Lodge Kirkwall Kilwinning was still active - we'll never know.

We gratefully acknowledge the invaluable information & assistance provided & received from Bro. Bob Cooper, Curator at the Grand Lodge of Scotland, for compiling the story of why Kirkwall is Squared.