Lodge Mother Kilwinning

Lodge Mother Kilwinning is a Masonic Lodge in Kilwinning, Scotland under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. It is number 0 on the Roll, and is reputed to be the oldest Lodge not only in Scotland, but the world. It is thus styled The Mother Lodge of Scotland attributing its origins to the 12th Century, and is often called "Mother Kilwinning".Citation | last =Tailby | first =S.R. | author-link = | last2 =Young | first2 =Hugh | author2-link = | title =A BRIEF HISTORY OF LODGE MOTHER KILWINNING No. 0. | date = | year =1944 | url =http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/www/Masonry/Reports/kilw.html | accessdate =2007-03-30 ]

History

Legend has it that Kilwinning Abbey was built by stonemasons who had travelled from Europe and established a lodge there.Fact|date=July 2008

Provincial Grand Lodge of Kilwinning

Tradition demanded that whoever held the Mastery of the Mother Lodge would also be Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire. As a result, many members transferred from other Lodges to Kilwinning. In 1983Fact|date=February 2007 this was changed; Mother Kilwinning was removed from the Province of Ayrshire and became subordinate to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Kilwinning. In consequence, the Lodge sends a representative to the Grand Lodge of Scotland to act as Grand Bible Bearer.

Degrees

The lodge awards the three degrees of Craft Freemasonry, namely:

*Entered Apprentice
*Fellowcraft
*Master Mason

In keeping with the Scottish tradition the lodge also awards the Mark Degree which, whilst a completion of the Fellowcraft, is awarded after the Master Mason degree.

References