Lodge Drummond Kilwinning

Drummond Kilwinning was a short lived lodge in Edinburgh formed for the brethren of Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No. XII who resided and worked in Edinburgh. On 7th February, 1739, a petition for separation and the formation of a new lodge in Edinburgh was presented to Grand Lodge. This was motioned by Bro. Archibald Govane (lawyer) on behalf of the brethren of No. XII. The OBs given were:  Master: George Drummond  DM: Archibald Govane

 SW: Lord Cardross (eldest son of Earl of

Buchan, Henry David Erskine GMM 1745 –46; later 11th Earl & GMM 1782—84)  JW: John Campbell MP (Lord Provost Ed

1715, 1719—20, 1723—24, House of Commons 1721—34) An excerpt of the minute from 3rd February, 1739 from No. XII gives details (bottom). The lodge only lasted 7 years which may be due to the difficult times of the Jacobite period as explained in The Annalist:

Some notable Drummond Kilwinning Members:  David Stuart Erskine, 10th Earl of Buchan (1742-1829) Antiquary and Political

Reformer (see CK April 2021)  George Drummond (1687-1766, shown) Accountant General of Excise. Lord

Provost, 1725; Junior Grand Warden, 1738. In the Lodge of Edinburgh, where for example, he was 'admitted and received entered apprentice and fellow craft on the 28th of August, 1721.' One meeting due to being a non-operative.

GMM 1752  Alexander Melville, 5th Earl of Leven

GMM 1741  James Douglas, 14th Earl of Morton (1701-1768) GMM 1739 Another couple of important members of both lodges were John Erskine (lawyer) 1695— 1768 joined before 1739 and Charles Mackie (lawyer although professor of history at Edin University) 1688—1770 (probably joined about same time as Erskine). George Drummond’s son also joined the lodge and his brother, Alexander, better known as the first PGM of Glasgow affiliated in May 1739.

Other distinguished brethren were Colin Drummond (unrelated), Professor of Greek, joined in December 1739 and the Rev. John Jardine, minister of Edinburgh High Church, joined in 1742.

“As I have mentioned the lodge of free masons, I cannot help congratulating myself upon the opportunity I had of making so many worthy brethren in this place, and of forming the only lodge that is in the Levant, but my joy is still the greater, when I reflect that all the members are gentlemen of amiable characters, and must reciprocally reflect and receive

honour in their association with the society of free and accepted masons. The lodge of Drummond Kilwinning, from Greenock, has reason to be proud of this her first daughter, and, I assure you, I am not a little vain of being the father of such a flock.” From George Drummond’ s Travels in 1744.

Drummond served as master 1739—43 then Joseph Williamson, advocate, 1743—45. During 1745 and 1746 no election took place. Perhaps during the Jacobite uprising, it was not appropriate as the lodge had Government and Jacobite members.

It was clear that the elite of Edinburgh limited their membership to one or a select few lodges, namely Canongate Kilwinning, St David’s, Drummond Kilwinning, Edinburgh St James, Edinburgh Kilwinning, Vernon Kilwinning, Holyrood House, Kilwinning Scots Arms, Leith Kilwinning, and Thistle.

Grand Lodge of Scotland Minutes, 6 November 1771: all penalties resulted from the failure of lodges to pay dues, annual monies, subscription fees, charitable donations, or any other arrears owed to the Scottish Grand Lodge. Drummond Kilwinning from Greenock was in arrears and struck off the roll.

My thanks to Bro. Alan Beck PM XII

Bro. George Drummond, first master

The Anchor Lodge of Research No.1814

On Friday 1st April, Bro. Charles Winston PM will present a talk on

The Painting, The Baillie and the Lodge Part 2

Meeting in the Masonic Hall, West Stewart Street in Greenock at 7.30pm.

All brethren welcome.