Freemasonry in Scotland

Freemasonry in Scotland under the authority of the Grand Lodge of Scotland comprises the Scottish Masonic Constitution as regular Masonic jurisdiction for the majority of freemasons within Scotland, although there are also Lodges belonging to the Scottish Masonic Constitution in other (predominantly ex-British Empire and Commonwealth) countries outside the United Kingdom. The Grand Lodge of Scotland is independent from, though with, both the United Grand Lodge of England and the Grand Lodge of Ireland. Today, it consists of 32 Provincial Grand Lodges in Scotland as well as 26 District Grand Lodges beyond the boundary of Scotland.

It has been argued that regulated Freemasonry in Scotland is older than in any other part of the British Isles. The connection between the craft of stonemasonry and modern Freemasonry can be readily established in Scotland. This direct connection can be traced from the oldest Masonic written records in the world and which are the property of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in Edinburgh. These records are the meeting minutes of the Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary's Chapel) No.1 which date from 1599.Lodge Mother Kilwinning is number 0 on the Roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and is reputed to be the oldest Lodge not only in Scotland, but the world. It is styled Mother Lodge of Scotland, attributing its origins to the 12th century, and is often called Mother Kilwinning.

While in 1717 in four Lodges in London agreed to form the Premier Grand Lodge of England, the Grand Lodge of Scotland was not established until 1736. When in the second quarter of the 18th century the Grand Lodge of England made changes to their ritual, this not only caused frictions between Grand Lodge and many unaffiliated lodges in England, but also took Freemasonry as practiced in England and Wales out of step with the new Grand Lodges in Scotland and Ireland. In 1751, a group of unaffiliated lodges of mainly Irish membership formed the Antient Grand Lodge of England, which grew rapidly and also benefited from early recognition by the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland. In the ensuing debate, the newer English grand lodge became known for short as the "Antients", while the older English grand lodge was referred to as the "Moderns". In 1799, the Grand Lodge of Scotland supported the Duke of Atholl (Grand Master of the "Antients") and the Earl of Moira (Acting Grand Master of the "Moderns") to keep Freemasonry in the British Isles from being outlawed by British government legislation. In 1809 the "Moderns" started revising their ritual to a point where it was in step with the Antients, the Scots and the Irish. It was not until 1813 that the "Antients" and "Moderns" agreed on an Act of Union and formed the United Grand Lodge of England. While the conflict between the "Antients" and "Moderns" was to have a profound impact on Freemasonry as practiced in England and Wales, it had comparatively little influence on Freemasonry in Ireland and Scotland. At the same time, Freemasonry in Scotland was able to maintain its distinct and unique character.

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