LODGE KILWINNING TO THE BATCHELOR'S CLUB TARBOLTON
Masonic Jewels Tour - UK Day 11 - Kilwinning & Robert Burns
Tour to be continued in next update - Journey to the Lake District
Food For Thought
Lodge Kilwinning, the lodgeroom, the East, with its Intrically carved Master's pedestal
The current Honours Board on South wall, Lodge Kilwinning apron, and apron's for collection
Electric Brae looking uphill - yes uphill!, A tourist freewheels down the uphill!
The tour party spent a considerable time in the Chapter house, where tradition has it that was the very first lodgeroom. It was an experience for us to actually be in such a place, even though only the west wall has not been raised to the ground.
History recalls that there is a masonic link from the belief that the abbey was constructed by foreign free Masons, assisted by Scottish masons, and the term Freemason derived from the right of these skilled workers to travel without the need to obtain permission from an overlord.
History recalls that there is a masonic link from the belief that the abbey was constructed by foreign free Masons, assisted by Scottish masons, and the term Freemason derived from the right of these skilled workers to travel without the need to obtain permission from an overlord.
The front of Burns's Cottage from road South, from the North, and the enclosed cottage garden at the back
Then it was back to towards Ayr, and a visit to Burns Cottage. This charming cottage is easy to find in the small town of Alloway, just a few miles outside of Ayr. It is on a busy road nowadays, which runs past the front door only the pavement away.
The cottage is where Robert Burns was born, and has been wonderfully preserved. It was build in 1757. Whitewashed walls and thatched roofs make it a shining example of Scottish homes of the time (if one was not a member of the Gentry).
The cottage is where Robert Burns was born, and has been wonderfully preserved. It was build in 1757. Whitewashed walls and thatched roofs make it a shining example of Scottish homes of the time (if one was not a member of the Gentry).
Kilwinning Abbey story board, the west wall of the chapter house, our party in the Chapter house
The front of the Lodge building is made of red sandstone. The lodgeroom is of medium size, and has a raised central ceiling with windows in its sides, and lights surrounding it. There are single green upholstered benches along the North and South walls, The Master's pedestal is wide and has an elegantly carved face. It has two leather chairs at each side.
The Kneeler at East end of carpet with table behind, The West, An honours board, and paintings hanging
Between the master's pedestal and the 360 degree kneeler is a covered table. The kneeler is placed at the Eastern edge of the pavement. All around three walls, South, West and North, hang are paintings and certificates. Among theses paintings are portraits of Robbie Burns and the old Kilwinning Abbey. There are even a few historic aprons hanging.
There are several honours boards, including this large one, on the walls. The Lodge aprons are quit plain with green trim and the letters M.K. 0 one. An unusual custom is that these are supplied by the Lodge on meeting nights to the brethren who pick them from a box in the Lodge room.
Just a short walk away, in a street behind the Lodgeroom, are the ruins of Kilwinning Abbey. There is what is considered the very first Lodge Room, of Mother Lodge Kilwinning, and possibly the first known in the world. It is close to the South Wall of the ruins of Kilwinning Abbey.
Just a short walk away, in a street behind the Lodgeroom, are the ruins of Kilwinning Abbey. There is what is considered the very first Lodge Room, of Mother Lodge Kilwinning, and possibly the first known in the world. It is close to the South Wall of the ruins of Kilwinning Abbey.
These foreign masons brought the principles of their fraternity with them and initiated these principles in Scotland for the first time. The architect or Master Mason is said to have been recognised as the master mason of Scotland.
After the Battle of Bannockburn, Robert the Bruce is said to have attended a masonic festival at Kilwinning. King James I was a patron of the mother lodge of Kilwinning and presided as Grand Master whilst staying at the abbey.
The bus then took us through Ayr along the coast on the A719 south towards Dunure and Croy Brae. Croy Brae is also known internationally as Electric Brae. Brae mbeing the Scottish word for hill. 'Croy Bay Electric Brae' metal signs were very prone to being stolen as souvenirs, so the coucil replaced them with a cairn which has proved to be much more permanent!
The “brae” runs the quarter mile from the bend overlooking Croy railway viaduct in the west (286 feet Above Ordnance Datum) to the wooded Craigencroy Glen (303 feet A.O.D.) to the east. Despite this slope being 1 in 86 upwards from the bend to the Glen, the configuration of the land on either side of the road provides an optical illusion making it look as if the slope is going the other way. This natural phenomenon is correctly known as a Gravity Hill.
Therefore, a car on the road with the engine and brakes off will appear to freewheel uphill, as will cyclists appear to coast uphill. The term 'Electric' dates from a time when it was incorrectly thought to be a phenomenon caused by electric or magnetic attraction within the Brae."
The road is one of the more famous gravity hills in the world, and during WWII General Eisenhower would bring guests to marvel at it.
After the Battle of Bannockburn, Robert the Bruce is said to have attended a masonic festival at Kilwinning. King James I was a patron of the mother lodge of Kilwinning and presided as Grand Master whilst staying at the abbey.
The bus then took us through Ayr along the coast on the A719 south towards Dunure and Croy Brae. Croy Brae is also known internationally as Electric Brae. Brae mbeing the Scottish word for hill. 'Croy Bay Electric Brae' metal signs were very prone to being stolen as souvenirs, so the coucil replaced them with a cairn which has proved to be much more permanent!
The “brae” runs the quarter mile from the bend overlooking Croy railway viaduct in the west (286 feet Above Ordnance Datum) to the wooded Craigencroy Glen (303 feet A.O.D.) to the east. Despite this slope being 1 in 86 upwards from the bend to the Glen, the configuration of the land on either side of the road provides an optical illusion making it look as if the slope is going the other way. This natural phenomenon is correctly known as a Gravity Hill.
Therefore, a car on the road with the engine and brakes off will appear to freewheel uphill, as will cyclists appear to coast uphill. The term 'Electric' dates from a time when it was incorrectly thought to be a phenomenon caused by electric or magnetic attraction within the Brae."
The road is one of the more famous gravity hills in the world, and during WWII General Eisenhower would bring guests to marvel at it.
Our party savours the atmosphere of the Chapter house ' the first Lodge room, underneath the South wall
The inscription on the Electric Brae cairn reads -
"The 'Electric Brae', known locally as Croy Brae.
This runs the quarter mile from the bend overlooking Croy railway viaduct in the west (286 feet Above Ordnance Datum) to the wooded Craigencroy Glen (303 feet above A.O.D.) to the east. Whilst there is this slope of 1 in 86 upwards from the bend at the Glen, the configuration of the land on either side of the road provides an optical illusion making it look as if the slope is going the other way.
Therefore, a stationary car on the road with the brakes off will appear to move slowly uphill.
The term 'Electric Brae' dates from a time when it was incorrectly thought to be a phenomenon caused by electric or magnetic attraction within the Brae."
Hill History
The brae was much enjoyed by US personnel serving at Prestwick Airport from the Forties on. New arrivals from across the Atlantic were rushed to see it at the first opportunity, and if dollars could have bought it, we would have lost it by now. General Eisenhower was most intrigued by the brae and brought visitors to see it from his flat at Culzean. At one time, Ayr County Council was receiving so many enquiries that it issued a special descriptive leaflet. Behind the apparently magical effects, science has a simple and prosaic explanation for the phenomenon, and it has nothing to do with electricity or unknown forces working along mysterious lines."
"The 'Electric Brae', known locally as Croy Brae.
This runs the quarter mile from the bend overlooking Croy railway viaduct in the west (286 feet Above Ordnance Datum) to the wooded Craigencroy Glen (303 feet above A.O.D.) to the east. Whilst there is this slope of 1 in 86 upwards from the bend at the Glen, the configuration of the land on either side of the road provides an optical illusion making it look as if the slope is going the other way.
Therefore, a stationary car on the road with the brakes off will appear to move slowly uphill.
The term 'Electric Brae' dates from a time when it was incorrectly thought to be a phenomenon caused by electric or magnetic attraction within the Brae."
Hill History
The brae was much enjoyed by US personnel serving at Prestwick Airport from the Forties on. New arrivals from across the Atlantic were rushed to see it at the first opportunity, and if dollars could have bought it, we would have lost it by now. General Eisenhower was most intrigued by the brae and brought visitors to see it from his flat at Culzean. At one time, Ayr County Council was receiving so many enquiries that it issued a special descriptive leaflet. Behind the apparently magical effects, science has a simple and prosaic explanation for the phenomenon, and it has nothing to do with electricity or unknown forces working along mysterious lines."
At the back of the cottage lies the cottage garden, and then a lawn and gardens on what would have been grazing land in ancient times. There were well groomed borders and even a bust of the bard himself in one of them. This lawn borders on an information centre and museum.
The Batchelor's club with welcoming front door, and a warm yet small and cosy meeting room upstairs
This small 17th century thatched house was used by poet Robert Burns and his friends as the meeting place for a debating club for unmarried men. Burns learned to dance here, and was initiated into Freemasonry there.
The house was built in the early 17th century. When Burns and his family moved to Tarbolton in 1777 it was being used as an alehouse under the ownership of John Richard. The first floor room was the largest public space in the village and was often rented out by Richard for public events, Masonic meetings, and dances.
In 1779 Burns attended country dancing lessons here, given by William Gregg. Burns' father was opposed to the dancing lessons and the friction between the generations caused a long-lasting rift to develop between the young man and his father. In 1780 Burns founded the Tarbolton Bachelors' Club, using the same large chamber. There were six other members, including Burns' brother Gilbert. Poet David Sillar, a friend of Burns, joined soon after.
One might think that a gathering of bachelors might be an excuse for drinking and revelry, especially given Burns' later reputation, but nothing could be further from the truth. The Bachelor's Club had strict rules, '10 Rules of Membership', drawn up by Burns, which detailed the sort of sober, respectable behaviour that was expected of members. The group of young men who gathered here engaged in serious debates on major questions of the time, though they were quite consciously interested in mirth and diversion' as an escape from the toil of their everyday lives.
The club met monthly at first for formal debates on important issues of the day. It seems likely that the respectable debates probably continued in the pub downstairs after the meeting was over! We know some of the topics the men debated. One topic was the question of whether love or friendship brings more happiness. Another, probably close to the heart of a bachelor, was whether it was better to choose a wife purely for her money, or the opposite!
Not only did Burns meet here regularly with his fellow bachelors; he was inducted into Freemasonry here, in July, 1781. Being a Mason almost certainly helped advance Burns' later career as a poet, and helped open doors in genteel society which might otherwise have ben closed to one of such humble origins. After Burns left the area the Club continued for several years but eventually faltered without his driving spirit, and ceased to meet. In 1937 the house was faced with demolition but was rescued by the National Trust for Scotland, and opened to the public in 1971.
The house was built in the early 17th century. When Burns and his family moved to Tarbolton in 1777 it was being used as an alehouse under the ownership of John Richard. The first floor room was the largest public space in the village and was often rented out by Richard for public events, Masonic meetings, and dances.
In 1779 Burns attended country dancing lessons here, given by William Gregg. Burns' father was opposed to the dancing lessons and the friction between the generations caused a long-lasting rift to develop between the young man and his father. In 1780 Burns founded the Tarbolton Bachelors' Club, using the same large chamber. There were six other members, including Burns' brother Gilbert. Poet David Sillar, a friend of Burns, joined soon after.
One might think that a gathering of bachelors might be an excuse for drinking and revelry, especially given Burns' later reputation, but nothing could be further from the truth. The Bachelor's Club had strict rules, '10 Rules of Membership', drawn up by Burns, which detailed the sort of sober, respectable behaviour that was expected of members. The group of young men who gathered here engaged in serious debates on major questions of the time, though they were quite consciously interested in mirth and diversion' as an escape from the toil of their everyday lives.
The club met monthly at first for formal debates on important issues of the day. It seems likely that the respectable debates probably continued in the pub downstairs after the meeting was over! We know some of the topics the men debated. One topic was the question of whether love or friendship brings more happiness. Another, probably close to the heart of a bachelor, was whether it was better to choose a wife purely for her money, or the opposite!
Not only did Burns meet here regularly with his fellow bachelors; he was inducted into Freemasonry here, in July, 1781. Being a Mason almost certainly helped advance Burns' later career as a poet, and helped open doors in genteel society which might otherwise have ben closed to one of such humble origins. After Burns left the area the Club continued for several years but eventually faltered without his driving spirit, and ceased to meet. In 1937 the house was faced with demolition but was rescued by the National Trust for Scotland, and opened to the public in 1971.
SOURCE: http://www.eureka4you.com/magnetichillworldwide/Ayrshire-UK.htmt
Two picture postcards of kitchen from 1905, and a display of Burn's writing desk
The kitchen, an in the box bed and the sttached cattle byre
The kitchen/living room is well equipped with period furniture of the masses, warm fireplace, spinning wheel and Scottish sideboard. The box bed looks rather uncomfortable to us now, but would have been quite sufficient in those ancient days. What is unusual to people visiting is the cattle byre attached to the end of the house. We should remember that Burns was of farming stock, and heat generated by the beasts would be welcome in Scottish winters..
The garden at the back from the paddock, the back of the house and the museum building
In the museum were many interesting exhibits and literature. Although this has been greatly expanded with a new building in recent years, it proved most interesting in 2006. It had many examples of Burns Memorabilia, some over 100 years old.
A print of an early 1800s line sketch of Burn's cottage, and an artists impression of it in the mid to late 1800s
The above impressions of Burn's's cottage through the ages proved very interesting. - the first a line sketch in the early 1800s when the building was about 50 years old, and the second an artist's impression in late 1800s..
Burn's Cottage is now part of the larger Burn's heritage park which allows you to visit the famous Auld Kirk and Brig o Doon, there is also a cafe and the Tam o Shanter experience.
Next on our itinerary was a visit to the Batchelors Club in Tarbolton which was one of Burn's favourite haunts.
Burn's Cottage is now part of the larger Burn's heritage park which allows you to visit the famous Auld Kirk and Brig o Doon, there is also a cafe and the Tam o Shanter experience.
Next on our itinerary was a visit to the Batchelors Club in Tarbolton which was one of Burn's favourite haunts.
It was difficult to see how a lodge of recent times could actually hold a full lodge meeting in the small room. It is probably a skill that has been lost to time, and makes one think about resurrecting it for tomorrow's world.
One of our party, Tom Fraser, took the opportunity to place his hand on the V.S.L., the same one that Robert Burns used. Our excellent guide was not a freemason.
We returned to Glasgow crossing the River Clyde. After our evening meal some of the tour party took the opportunity to go to the cinema across the road from our hotel. The film was “The Da Vinci code”.
One of our party, Tom Fraser, took the opportunity to place his hand on the V.S.L., the same one that Robert Burns used. Our excellent guide was not a freemason.
We returned to Glasgow crossing the River Clyde. After our evening meal some of the tour party took the opportunity to go to the cinema across the road from our hotel. The film was “The Da Vinci code”.
The Batchelor's club with welcoming front door, and a warm yet small and cosy meeting room upstairs
This day we gave our bus driver a rest day (regulations), and were taken around Ayrshire by another bus company.
Our first stop of the day was a visit to the Mother Lodge Kilwinning number 0, commonly called Mother Kilwinning No.0. This Lodge has a history second to none and their website tells it well.
“Before the forming of Grand Lodge (Scottish) in 1736 Mother Kilwinning was a Grand Lodge in her own right issuing charters and warrants to Lodges wishing to enjoy the privileges of Freemasonry, many Lodges still carry Kilwinning's name today. Scotland being a small country it was undesirable to have two Grand Lodges so Mother Kilwinning gave up this right.
The history of the Mother Lodge dates back to the year 1140 at the building of Kilwinning Abbey, the ruins of which lie to the rear of the Lodge. The Lodge was founded in the chapter house within the Abbey and remained there until the reformation in 1560 when the Earl of Glencairn, a blood enemy of the Earls of Eglinton who hold a long tradition with the Lodge, sacked the Abbey.
Little is known of the masons at this point but they still met at various locations including the Abbey in 1598-1599, the house in the Crossbrae in the town centre in 1643 known as the "masons howf" and the court house of the Earl of Eglinton. In the mid 1700,s the masons decided to build a new Lodge and in 1779 the old Lodge was built at the entrance to the Abbey. Unfortunately 100 years later due to decay and fear of the building collapsing it was demolished and a new Lodge was built 30 yards from the former site and remains there today. The present Lodge was consecrated in 1893.
However in 1743 Grand Lodge decided to number lodges by seniority and oldest records, unfortunately Mother Kilwinning's minute books date back to 1642, previous records thought to have been smuggled by the monks to France during the reformation or destroyed in the disastrous fire at nearby Eglinton Castle. Mother Kilwinning was placed second on the roll of the Grand Lodge a position she strongly disagreed with, so withdrew and continued to issue charters as before.
This dispute lasted until 1807 when the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Grand Lodge of Kilwinning met in Glasgow and settled their differences and a new and binding agreement was reached, that being that Mother Kilwinning was placed at the Head of the Roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and now has the famous and distinctive Number ' 0 '. The master of the Lodge would by right of that office become Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire. Mother Kilwinning also gave up the right to issue warrants and charters. In 1860 during a search in Eglinton Castle the now famous Schaw statutes of 1598 and 1599 were found.
William Schaw the " Maister o' Work and "Warden o'er a' the masons " wrote that Kilwinning was the "Heid ( Head ) Ludge o' Scotland. Had these statutes been available in 1743 there would have been no doubt about Kilwinning's position in Freemasonry. This agreement lasted for 176 years until amended 1983, where once again Masonic change was required of Mother Kilwinning. The Master of Kilwinning no longer becomes Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire , instead:-
1. Mother Kilwinning has the right for all time being to nominate a Brother to become Grand Lodge Bible Bearer.
2. There was erected and consecrated the Provincial Grand Lodge of Kilwinning with Mother Kilwinning having the sole right to nominate the Provincial Grand Master in the Province of Kilwinning. These changes further ensure Mother Kilwinning's still present singular position and autonomy in the Masonic world.
In 1925 the Mother Kilwinning Social Club of Glasgow presented the Mother Lodge with a case made from wood said to have come from the roof of the Abbey. This case was made to hold the Master's jewel which had been given to the lodge by Patrick Montgomerie of Bourtreehill in 1735.”
Our first stop of the day was a visit to the Mother Lodge Kilwinning number 0, commonly called Mother Kilwinning No.0. This Lodge has a history second to none and their website tells it well.
“Before the forming of Grand Lodge (Scottish) in 1736 Mother Kilwinning was a Grand Lodge in her own right issuing charters and warrants to Lodges wishing to enjoy the privileges of Freemasonry, many Lodges still carry Kilwinning's name today. Scotland being a small country it was undesirable to have two Grand Lodges so Mother Kilwinning gave up this right.
The history of the Mother Lodge dates back to the year 1140 at the building of Kilwinning Abbey, the ruins of which lie to the rear of the Lodge. The Lodge was founded in the chapter house within the Abbey and remained there until the reformation in 1560 when the Earl of Glencairn, a blood enemy of the Earls of Eglinton who hold a long tradition with the Lodge, sacked the Abbey.
Little is known of the masons at this point but they still met at various locations including the Abbey in 1598-1599, the house in the Crossbrae in the town centre in 1643 known as the "masons howf" and the court house of the Earl of Eglinton. In the mid 1700,s the masons decided to build a new Lodge and in 1779 the old Lodge was built at the entrance to the Abbey. Unfortunately 100 years later due to decay and fear of the building collapsing it was demolished and a new Lodge was built 30 yards from the former site and remains there today. The present Lodge was consecrated in 1893.
However in 1743 Grand Lodge decided to number lodges by seniority and oldest records, unfortunately Mother Kilwinning's minute books date back to 1642, previous records thought to have been smuggled by the monks to France during the reformation or destroyed in the disastrous fire at nearby Eglinton Castle. Mother Kilwinning was placed second on the roll of the Grand Lodge a position she strongly disagreed with, so withdrew and continued to issue charters as before.
This dispute lasted until 1807 when the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Grand Lodge of Kilwinning met in Glasgow and settled their differences and a new and binding agreement was reached, that being that Mother Kilwinning was placed at the Head of the Roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and now has the famous and distinctive Number ' 0 '. The master of the Lodge would by right of that office become Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire. Mother Kilwinning also gave up the right to issue warrants and charters. In 1860 during a search in Eglinton Castle the now famous Schaw statutes of 1598 and 1599 were found.
William Schaw the " Maister o' Work and "Warden o'er a' the masons " wrote that Kilwinning was the "Heid ( Head ) Ludge o' Scotland. Had these statutes been available in 1743 there would have been no doubt about Kilwinning's position in Freemasonry. This agreement lasted for 176 years until amended 1983, where once again Masonic change was required of Mother Kilwinning. The Master of Kilwinning no longer becomes Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire , instead:-
1. Mother Kilwinning has the right for all time being to nominate a Brother to become Grand Lodge Bible Bearer.
2. There was erected and consecrated the Provincial Grand Lodge of Kilwinning with Mother Kilwinning having the sole right to nominate the Provincial Grand Master in the Province of Kilwinning. These changes further ensure Mother Kilwinning's still present singular position and autonomy in the Masonic world.
In 1925 the Mother Kilwinning Social Club of Glasgow presented the Mother Lodge with a case made from wood said to have come from the roof of the Abbey. This case was made to hold the Master's jewel which had been given to the lodge by Patrick Montgomerie of Bourtreehill in 1735.”