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about freemasonry

What's it all about then?

 What is Freemasonry?

"A system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated with symbols". "A system of making good men better, but Freemasonry cannot make bad men good". You could ask 100 different people what Freemasonry is and it is possible that you would get 100 different answers. Freemasonry is a worldwide ancient fraternal society of good men from all walks of life who believe in friendship, honour, morality and sound ethics. Freemasonry and Masonic Lodges in Scotland are governed by The Grand Lodge of Scotland which is based in Edinburgh.


What Principles do Freemasons believe in?

Freemasons believe in three great principles, these are:

  • Brotherly Love: is the concern which each Freemason has for his Brother, which is readily shown by tolerance and respect for the beliefs, opinions and practices of his fellows and his willingness to care for his Brother and that Brother's dependents.
  • Relief: The Freemason is by nature and teachings a charitable man. He will cheerfully and kindly assist those less fortunate (whether Freemasons or not). He will care for and support his community - Local, National and International.
  • Truth: The Freemason believes in Truth in all things, in honesty and integrity in his personal, business and public life, in fair dealings and in firm standards of decency and morality.


Why should I become a Freemason?

Our members each have their own reason for becoming a Freemason.  Many join because they have family members that are members, some join because the fully understand our principles and want to promote these, some join because they have an interest in in our ceremonies, traditions and antient history, some join because of our charitable support we offer and our engagement with our communities.  Others join for the social interaction with other from all ages and  from all walks of life.


Is Freemasonry a Secret Society?

Freemasonry is often mistaken as a "Secret Society". If it were then we wouldn't have published this site on the World Wide Web for all to see, neither would you be able to identify the Masonic Lodge in your town, many Lodges have plaques at the door. Members are free to acknowledge their Masonic membership to others and some Lodges even publish the dates of their meetings in local newspapers. Masonic processions are a common sight in many towns; these are hardly the actions of a Secret Society. The secrets of Freemasonry are connected with the traditional modes of recognition and like many other societies, clubs and organisations it regards many of its internal affairs and actions to be of a private nature for its members.


Is Freemasonry a Religion?

It is not a religion, although an essential requirement to become a member is the belief in a "Supreme Being". Membership is open to men of any religion or race and they are encouraged to follow their own faith and do their duty to their own "God". Religious discussions are not permitted at Lodge meetings.


Is Freemasonry a Political Party?

No!  Freemasonry is not a Political Party, it is true that leading Politicians are members of the fraternity, however, discussions of a Political nature are forbidden at Lodge meetings, Freemasonry is neither a Subversive Organisation nor an Action Group and members must be peaceful, law abiding members of the community who are of good repute.


Is Freemasonry a Charity?

It is not a charity either, although members contribute considerably to a number of worthwhile charitable organisations and causes.


Who are Freemasons?

Freemasons include members from all walks of life including members of the Royal Family, Business Leaders, Political Leaders, Government Agents, Writers, Entertainers, Actors, Artists, Sportsmen, Inventors, Designers, Pioneers, Founders, Patriots, Presidents, members of the Police Force, Judges, Justices, members of HM Forces, as well as Joiners, Janitors, Bin Men and other tradesmen, the ordinary man on the street and may be even your next door neighbour. You will most probably know of someone who is a Mason.


Who can become a member?

Men of the mature age of 18 who believe in a "Supreme Being"  who are of sound character and judgment and are law abiding members of the community, free of any convictions and have never plead guilty to a crime, may apply to be considered to become a Mason. 


Can Women Join?

Under the constitution we work under, only men  can join.


Do I have to wear an Apron?

Yes, aprons form part of our formal regalia and are symbolic of the aprons that the operative stonemasons used to wear while executing their craft.  When you first join you get a plain apron, however, as you progress and advance, aprons become for ornate and elaborate.


So, what happens at a Lodge Meeting?

Just like other formal meetings, there is a certain amount  of business and administration  to deal with which is followed by formal ceremonies, which includes our antient rituals, to progress members through their "degrees".  There are three degrees,  Entered Apprentice, teaching you that we are all equal and the importance of Charity.  The Fellow Craft Degree teaches you about productivity and how to become a better person.  Finally, the Master Mason Degree reminds us that you only get one chance at life and that we should use the opportunity wisely.  After the ceremonies there is usually an opportunity to relax and mix with other members socially.


How many Masons are there?

The Grand Lodge of Scotland has about 30, 000 members, The United Grand Lodge of England has about  180, 000 members and the Grand Lodge of Ireland has about 20, 000 members.  Globally, there are about 6 million Freemasons.


What does it cost to become a member?

There is a joining fee followed by annual dues to support your Masonic Lodge which you should be able to pay without the detriment to you or your dependents.


How can I learn more?

If you want to learn more ask a Freemason for information or have a look at the website that The Grand Lodge of Scotland has published. 


Right, how do I  join?

You may have heard or seen the phrase "2B1ASK1" (to be one, ask one) meaning to be a Freemason, ask a Freemason, they will be more than pleased to tell you what they can about Freemasonry. If you don't know a Freemason you could find out who is the secretary of your local Lodge and give him a call or send a letter expressing your interest.  If you have a specific interest in joining a Lodge within the Scottish Borders, discuss your interest with one of the Brethren at your local Lodge, or use our contact page to get in touch with our Provincial Grand Secretary for further information.




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about our province

The Provincial Grand Lodge of The Scottish Borders

On the 15 of August 1747 the Province of Roxburgh & Peebles was formed.  The title of our Province has changed several times over the years and it was only in 1991 that The Grand Lodge of Scotland relented and allowed the use the title, The Provincial Grand Lodge of Roxburgh, Peebles and Selkirk Shires .  A title, however, does not improve or detract from the respect in which our Province is held throughout Scottish Freemasonry.  This respect was earned by the tremendous efforts and hard work of our worthy predecessors.
 

In the heart of the Scottish Borders, with only 16 Lodges, ours is one of the smaller Provinces but we are proud to have some of the oldest Lodges in Scotland under our jurisdiction with a wealth of history.
 

From the foundation which has been laid we look forward to the future with confidence and optimism that our successors will continue to embrace the fundamental doctrine that has served our Province with distinction since it's creation.


The Grand Lodge of Scotland, at its Regular Communication on Thursday 1 February 2018 approved that the Province of Roxburgh, Peebles and Selkirk Shires be renamed to the Provincial Grand Lodge of The Scottish Borders and that Lodges Dunse No. 23 (Duns), St. Ebbe No. 70 (Eyemouth), St Luke No. 132 (Lauder), St. John No. 280 (Coldstream), Ercildoune No. 1119 (Earlston) and Whiteadder No. 1245 (Chirnside) within the Province of East Lothian and Berwickshire, be incorporated under the new Province of the Scottish Borders with effect from 31 March 2018.
 

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Province, a small book was written to give an insight as to how our Province germinated, grew and flourished.  This can be read by clicking on the links below. 



a dip into the past

the commission

 Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master

Bro. Andrew  E. Forsyth




Worshipful Depute Provincial Grand Master

Bro. James Thom


After an interest in Freemasonry from a young age, James (AKA Jim) was Initiated in to the 

Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis in October 2006 and was proudly installed as Master

in 2015 and again in 2016.  


He has held a number of Offices within Provincial Grand Lodge

and gained his first Commission as Substitute Provincial Grand Master in 2017.


James, who works for a large Europacific Soft Drinks Company,

lives in Kelso with his wife and has two daughters.


His other interests include Motor Sport and Shooting as well as having an active role within the 

Kelso Laddies Association, the committee which organises Kelso Civic Week. 



Worshipful Substitute Provincial Grand Master

Bro. J. Stewart Clark


Stewart was Initiated in to Lodge St. John Coldstream No. 280 in November 2004  and after overcoming his "shyness" and was humbled to become Right Worshipful Master 2015/2016 and again 2019/2020.  


He has been married to his wife, Jill, for 40 amazing years and has been blessed with 

three children, James ,Bryce and Isla. 


Jill competes in Agility competitions with their two Cocker Spaniels, Treacle and Bramble. 

In the summer months while Stewart amuses himself with golfing at Goswick and Hirsel golf courses. 


After 14 years as Newsagents on Coldstream High Street, the couple have found paradise 

living in  sleepy hollow Lennel Mount . With two knee replacements (Titanium ) in 2013, Stewart has a permanent smile .   Family first and with good health he is a "happy chappie" . 



Worshipful Provincial Grand Secretary

Bro. Alistair W. Little


Alistair was Initiated in to The Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis on 18 October 1971

and became Master thereof in 1989, 1990 and again in 1991.  


He was appointed as Provincial Grand Secretary of The PGL of The Scottish Borders 

(formerly Roxburgh, Peebles and Selkirk Shires) in 2015 

and  was awarded Honorary Grand Rank of Assistant Secretary in 2018.


Alistair was a Chartered Surveyor/Local Government Officer but now being retired

enjoys walking, gardening and golf.



Worshipful Senior Provincial Grand Chaplain

Bro. Michael Laidlaw


Mick was initiated in to the Hawick Lodge No. 111 on 24 April 1985 and was Installed as Master

in December 1993 and again in 1994, he joins the commission with a wealth of 

knowledge and experience.


Mick, who has retired from the Building Trade, enjoys SCUBA Diving, Salmon Fishing, Golf 

as well walking his dogs in his spare time. 


past provincial grand masters

 

Bro. John W. Blackie - Immediate Past Provincial Grand Master


Bro. George R. J. Donnelly - Past Provincial Grand Master

(Ex Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lothian & Berwickshire)


Bro. James Brown - Past Provincial Grand Master


elected office-bearers

  

Worshipful Provincial Grand Senior Warden

Bro. Kevin J. Ferguson PM - No. 424


Worshipful Provincial Grand Junior Warden

Bro. Dale W. Hall PM - No. 23


Provincial Grand Treasurer

Bro. Victor, Lord Denovan PM - No. 216


Provincial Grand Almoner

Bro. Elliott A. Lewis - No. 104


Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies

Bro. Donald  Drummond PM - No. 280


Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies

-----


Provincial Grand Senior Deacon

Bro. J. Gareth Davies PM - No. 58


Provincial Grand Junior Deacon

Bro. W. Alistair Black PM - No. 216


Provincial Grand Librarian

Bro. Tony Lomer-Cross - No. 280


Provincial Grand Architect

Bro. Thomas. L. McAulay - No. 104


Provincial Grand Jeweller

-----


Provincial Grand Bible-bearer

Bro.  Euan Heard - No. 262


Provincial Grand Bard

Bro. Thomas R. Combe PM - No. 32


Provincial Grand Sword-bearer

Bro.  Mark Forsyth - No. 58


Provincial Grand Director of Music

Bro. Michael Allan - No. 262


Provincial Grand Organist

Bro. Paul Capaldi - No. 262


Provincial Grand Marshal

Bro. Stewart Wilson - No. 856


Senior Provincial Grand Standard-bearer

Bro. Norman H. Taylor PM - No. 111


Junior Provincial Grand Standard-bearer

Bro. William Hogg - No. 104


Provincial Grand Inner Guard

Bro. Andrew McMenamin - No. 32


Provincial Grand Tyler

-----

Provincial Grand President of Stewards

Bro. David Jeffrey PM - No. 424


Lodge stewards

  The Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis

Bro. B. W. Lawson PM


Lodge Dunse No. 23

-----


Lodge Peebles Kilwinning No. 24

Bro. G. Gilchrist PM 


Lodge St. John Selkirk No. 32

Bro. C. R. Macintosh


Lodge Kelso & Tweed No. 58

Bro. J. M. Muirhead PM


Lodge St. Ebbe No. 70

Bro. A. Watson PM


Lodge St. John Jedburgh No. 104

Bro. J. A. Scott PM 


The Hawick Lodge No. 111

Bro. D.  A. Storrie


Lodge St. Luke Lauder No. 132

Bro. I. L. Spouse


Lodge St. John Stow No. 216

- - - - -


The Galashiels Lodge No. 262

Bro. M. Robertson


Lodge St. John Coldstream No. 280

- - - - -


Lodge St. James BURA No. 424

Bro. K. Oliver


Lodge St. Ronan's No. 856

Bro. D. L. Jeffrey PM (President of Stewards)


Lodge Ercildoune No. 1119

- - - - -


The Haughfoot Lodge No. 1824

Bro. K. Stewart


roll of honour - provincial grand masters

  

 

1747 - 1756 :: John Murray, Cringletie, Peebles


1756 :: James Lidderdale, Kelso


1801 - 1815 :: George Douglas of Cavers, Hawick (Died in Office)


1815 - 1827 :: William, 6th Marquis of Lothian KT


1827 - 1838 :: Sir John Hay, Bart. of Haystoun, Peebles (Died in Office)


1839 - 1862 :: William Forbes Mackenzie of Portmore


1863 - 1878 :: Henry Inglis of Torsonce, Stow


1879 - 1885 :: James Wolfe Murray, Cringletie, Peebles


1886 - 1911 :: Dr James Middleton, Stow


1911 - 1921 :: H. Norman Ballantyne, Peebles


1921 - 1926 :: John H. F. K. Scott, Galashiels


1926 - 1927 :: John G. Winning, Branxholme, Hawick


1928 - 1933 :: Rev R. J. Thompson, MA, Melrose


1933 - 1935 :: William Rennie, Galashiels (Member of the Melrose Lodge)


1936 - 1941 :: George Barry, Hawick


1941 - 1946 :: Herbert D. Bell, Melrose


1946 - 1961 :: John Andrew McCormack, Peebles


1961 - 1971 :: James Woodburn Smith, Jedburgh


1971 - 1976 :: George Mitchell, Newtown St. Boswells


1976 - 1980 :: Robert Kay McNaught, Innerleithen (Died in Office)


1980 - 1985 :: James Anderson Craig, Selkirk


1985 - 1990 :: James Todd Dalgleish, Kelso


1990 - 1995 :: James Bastick Wilson, Haymount, Kelso


1995 - 2000 :: James Brown, Hawick


2000 - 2005 :: Edward George Keeper, Galashiels (Member of the Stow Lodge)


2005 - 2010 :: Allan John Marshall, Selkirk


2010 - 2015 :: John Ferguson Lamb, Jedburgh (Died in Office)


2015 - 2020 :: John Walter Blackie, Galashiels - PGL The Scottish Borders created 31 March 2018.


2020 - to date :: Andrew Elliot Forsyth, Broadloan, Kelso


lodges in our province

No. 1bis

No. 1bis

No. 1bis

 The Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis

 


1 Market Square, Melrose.

Roxburghshire, TD6 9PQ.


Meetings:   First Monday October to March (Except January) at 7.30pm with the exception of November, (7pm).  Installation is on the Saturday of the third full week in June. 




1bis website

No. 23

No. 1bis

No. 1bis

 Lodge Dunse No. 23.

(Lodge founded circa 1726)


Masonic Hall, 41 Newtown Street, Duns. 

Berwickshire.  TD11 3AU.


Meetings:  2nd Tuesday September to 

April at 7.30pm








No. 24

No. 1bis

No. 24

Lodge Peebles Kilwinning No. 24



9 Northgate, Peebles.

Peeblesshire.    EH45 8RX.


Meetings:  4th Wednesday in September to 2nd Wednesday in May 2nd Wednesday at 7pm and 4th Wednesday at 7.30pm





No. 24 WEBSITE

No. 32

No. 32

No. 24

Lodge St. John Selkirk No. 32




29 Back Row, Selkirk, 

Selkirkshire.  TD7 4LP.


Meetings: 2nd Monday October to March (inclusive) except December at 7.30pm






No. 58

No. 32

No. 58

Lodge Kelso & Tweed No, 58




11 Shedden Park Road, Kelso,

Roxburghshire  TD5 7AJ.


Meetings:  3rd Wednesday September to April except January at 7.30pm




No. 58 WEBSITE

No. 70

No. 32

No. 58

 Lodge St. Ebbe No. 70.

(Founded 14th November 1757)



Masonic Hall, Masons Wynd, Eyemouth,

Berwickshire.  TD14 5HG.


Meetings: 1st Thursday of each month 

all year at 7pm.




No. 104

No. 104

No. 104

  Lodge St. John Jedburgh No. 104



Masonic Hall, Castlegate, Jedburgh,  

Roxburghshire.  TD8 6AR.


Meetings:  3rd Thursday September to May at 7.30pm (inclusive)




No. 111

No. 104

No. 104

The Hawick Lodge  No. 111



33 Commercial Road, Hawick,

Roxburghshire.   TD9 7AD.


Meetings:  2nd and 4th Thursday September to March (inclusive).  7pm for Business 

& 7.30pm for Visitors.



No. 111 WEBSITE

No. 132

No. 104

No. 132

 Lodge St. Luke No. 132. 

(Founded 11th December 1772)


Masonic Hall, 53, West High Street, Lauder,

Berwickshire.  TD2 6TF.


Meetings: 1st Wednesday October to 

April, except January, at 7.30pm.




No. 216

No. 216

No. 132

 Lodge St. John Stow No. 216



15 Chapel Street, Innerleithen

Peeblesshire.   EH44 6HN.


Meetings:  Last Monday September to April (inclusive) except November and 

December at 7.30pm.



no. 216 WEBSITE

No. 262

No. 216

No. 262

The Galashiels Lodge No. 262


 

8 Galapark, Galashiels, 

Selkirkshire,  TD1 1EU.


Meetings:  2nd Monday September to March (inclusive) and the Last Tuesday in June.  7pm for Business and 7.30pm for Visitors.



No. 280

No. 216

No. 262

 Lodge St. John No. 280.

 (Founded 30th November 1819)


Masonic Hall, Duke Street, Coldstream,

Berwickshire.   TD12 4BS.


Meetings: 3rd Tuesday September to

April at 7.30pm.




no. 280 WEBSITE

No. 424

No. 1119

No. 424

Hawick Lodge St James (BURA) No. 424

(Border Union Royal Arch)

 

8 Union Street, Hawick,

Roxburghshire.  TD9 9LF.


Meetings:  1st and 3rd Thursday September to April (inclusive) at 7.30pm.




No. 856

No. 1119

No. 424

 Lodge St. Ronan's No. 856



15 Chapel Street, Innerleithen

Peeblesshire.   EH44 6HN.


Meetings:  1st and 3rd Monday September to March (inclusive) at 7.30pm.  




No. 1119

No. 1119

No. 1119

 Lodge of Ercildoune No. 1119. 

(Founded 1st May 1913)


Masonic Hall, The Square, Earlston,

Berwickshire.  TD4 6BX.


Meetings: 3rd Monday October to 

April at 7.30pm




No. 1245

No. 1245

No. 1119

Lodge Whiteadder No. 1245. 

(Founded 4th November 1920 &

Last Meeting on 9 September 2021)

Masonic Hall, 41, Newtown Street, Duns,

Berwickshire.  TD11 3AU.


Lodge now ceased operating





No. 1824

No. 1245

No. 1824

The Haughfoot Lodge No. 1824

 


Shared Venues



Meetings: 

27 May 23  at Selkirk at 3pm. PGL Visit

22 July 23 at Galashiels at 3pm.  Demonstration

23 September 23 at Selkirk at 3pm.  Installation


no. 1824 WEBSITE

Copyright © 2010 -2025 Provincial Grand Lodge of The Scottish Borders 

All Rights Reserved.

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