The Scot’s Greys Lodge

The Royal North British Dragoons (better known as the Scots Greys due to the colour of their horses) had a lodge attached to the regiment in 1747 called Scotts Greys Kilwinning. Its charter was lost during the Seven Years’ War (mid 18th C) against France. The following newspaper article explains in detail: THE FREEMASONS' QUARTERLY REVIEW, MARCH 31, 1842 William, Lord Napier, was initiated December,1769 while the Hon. Colonel Napier. Soon afterwards, himself and several other officers of his regiment, the Scots Greys, presented a petition to Grand Lodge, for a charter of erection of a Military Lodge, and which was granted accordingly. On the 12th March, 1770, the formal constitution of the Lodge took place in the hall of St. John's Chapel (Edinburgh) at which ceremony his excellency General Adolphus Oughton presided in his capacity of Grand Master of Scotland. After a suitable address from that military and Masonic chief, the charter was delivered into the hands of Colonel Napier, as Worshipful Master thereof; Captain Basil Heron being installed Depute Master; Sir John Nesbit, of Dean, as Senior Warden; John Nesbit, Esq., as Junior Warden; John Christie, Esq., as Treasurer; and Captain James Colquhoun, as Secretary of the New Lodge; which was duly formed and consecrated under the name and title of "The St. Andrew Royal Arch Lodge in the Scot's Greys, or Royal North British Dragoons (No.158). “Bro. Napier succeeded his father as Baron Napier, in 1773, but died about two years after, leaving his title to his eldest son, Francis, who became a Mason in the Canongate Kilwinning Lodge and was afterwards Grand Master of Scotland.

The lodge created a set of by-laws in 1770 which included having its installation on the first Monday after 14th March (reasoning was that it was expected that most brethren would be with the regiment and able to attend. Another law stated that no member of the N British Dragoons would be able to join any lodge other than St. Andrew Royal Arch Lodge in the Scot’s Greys.

All decency was to be observed and no discussion of politics or singing bawdy songs were allowed. The list of candidates includes a Lt-Col, captains in the Royal Horse Guards, a surgeon, a clergyman and various civilians. In April, 1771, the lodge received a famous visitor— Bro. Thomas Dunkerley PGM of various provinces and hugely influential in the development of the Craft in England. Officially the lodge closed in 1816 although no meetings had been held for a number of years.

In an article by Bro. David Murray Lyon, he states that the lodge charter is now in the possession of Mr F. White of Thornhill after receiving it from a great uncle, Captain Cowan Quarter Master, who served in the regiment for 43 years! Bro. Cowan was at that time the only freemason left in the regiment and when he retired, he took the charter and various relics of the lodge with him to Tarbolton. He died in 1824 and is buried in the Parish Graveyard—this is possibly the last brother of this old lodge.

I wonder if this charter exists today?

The foundation stone of the grand building was laid on April 4, 1935 by the then Viceroy of India Lord Willingdon, soon after the new capital was built by legendary architect Bro. Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens and Bro. Sir Herbert Baker and opened in February 24, 1936 by the then Maharaja of Patiala. Some of the interior was designed by architect Bro. F. B. Blomfield whose black and white portrait photograph, showing him in masonic regalia is proudly hung in the entrance lobby of the Hall. He was a member of the Lodge Imperial, No 1163(SC).

After Independence, the Freemasonry in India was reorganised. While some lodges chose to remain with the United Grand Lodge of England, with affiliation via English Constitution, Scottish Constitution or Irish Constitution, other lodges came together to assume a new identity as the Grand Lodge of India which was consecrated in 1961.

Lodge Dunlop Caledonia No.1408 has a new Past Master board situated in the local village hall in Dunlop, Ayrshire. Not only is it a very fine board, but being in the local hall, everyone can see this piece of masonic history. That in itself is vitally important, and well done to all the brethren who made it happen.

Masonry in the Public