{"id":67,"date":"2024-02-04T07:54:55","date_gmt":"2024-02-04T07:54:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/st-columban.co.uk\/?page_id=67"},"modified":"2025-09-07T21:43:24","modified_gmt":"2025-09-07T21:43:24","slug":"freemasonry","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/st-columban.co.uk\/index.php\/freemasonry\/","title":{"rendered":"Freemasonry, An introduction, it’s structure and the myths."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A brief introduction to the ‘Craft’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exact origins of Freemasonry have been lost to time, we know the earliest written records of Freemasonry are housed in The Lodge of Edinburgh No. 1 (Mary’s Chapel) dating from July 1599, the oldest minutes of a lodge still in operation from anywhere in the world. It is generally accepted that it began with the stonemasons trade guilds, originally for operative masons and transitioned into speculative masons.
Freemasonry, a Fraternal Society in it’s current format is a charitable organisation aimed at improving men through a series of teachings, called Degree’s in the Lodge, a way of honing their conduct through life, giving them an opportunity to meet like minded men – A Brotherhood like no other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freemasonry; once commonplace amongst Scottish society & her various communities just a few decades ago, it is now much less visible, membership unfortunately is slowing and our lodges to a certain extent have failed to keep up with the pace at which society has changed.

Throughout this website you will hopefully see we aim to change this and bring Freemasonry back into mainstream society one good man at a time.

The mysticism, rituals and to a certain extent the secrecy surrounding Freemasonry has for countless generations inspired some of the worlds greatest characters and minds to join our Fraternity – Do you have what it takes to step into the light, explore the pages that follow and if you are curious, all you have to do is ask \u2026

2B1 ASK 1




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The headquarters for every lodge worldwide operating under the Scottish Jurisdiction is in Edinburgh – Find out more here:-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Grand Lodge of Scotland <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland<\/a> is the governing body of Scottish Freemasonry, founded in 1736, and headquartered in Edinburgh. It is led by a Grand Master Mason. The structure of the Grand Lodge of Scotland includes 32 Provincial Grand Lodges in Scotland, 26 District Grand Lodges overseas, 4 Superintendents overseeing Lodges in smaller territories and individual Lodges that are under the direct supervision of the Grand Lodge of Scotland.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Scottish Freemasonry, governed by its Grand Lodge, represents Lodges with the oldest recorded history in the world today which boasts a rich heritage that has spread over the entire world.  The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland works hard to serve its Lodges by maintaining the ancient mysteries and traditions and, at the same time, keeping in sync with the developments and demands of the modern world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Provincial Grand Lodge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Aberdeenshire East<\/a> was constituted in 1834. Up until 2024 there were 14 Lodges in the Province, Lodge St Columban No.1858 brings this number to 15. We are the first Lodge in over 100 years to be chartered within the Province. The Provincial Grand Master oversee’s all the Lodges in his Province and reports directly to the Grand Lodge of Scotland<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PGL Website<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Meet the Masters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Below you can meet the relevant men responsible for Freemasonry in Scotland, The Province & our Lodge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Brother W. Ramsay McGhee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grand Master Mason<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grand Lodge of Scotland<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Brother David Wemyss<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Provincial Grand Master<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Provincial Grand Lodge of Aberdeenshire East<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Brother Kevin G. Milne<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Master<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lodge St. Columban No.1858<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dispelling the Myths<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Myth #1: Freemasons worship the devil.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The organisation doesn’t worship the devil. They don’t worship power or money either. In fact, members don\u2019t worship at all during Lodge meetings. What they value above all is one\u2019s ethics & moral values. Taking a Good man and making him better.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Myth #2: Freemasons rule the world. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe it’s the remarkable list of distinguished Freemasons that led others to believe and suggest that the organisation essentially runs the world. But the reality is, we don’t. We are simply an organisation trying to do good in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Myth #3: Freemasonry <\/em>is a Secret Society<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are not a secret society if we were we would be the worst kept secret out there !
Our temples are visible and usually adorned with our symbols, our members wear rings and other distinguishing items and are proud to do so.
We are a society with secrets which are all imparted to candidates when they join.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

And just to clarify probably one of the biggest myths – There are no Goats involved !!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Is Freemasonry a religion?<\/summary>\n

No. Freemasonry is not a religion or a substitute for religion. Each new candidate for Freemasonry will be asked at his interview if he believes in a Supreme Being, we do not define or ask anything more than this on the topic but a belief in a Supreme being is a requirement for admission. Each man’s religion and beliefs are Personal to him. Freemasonry accepts men from all faiths and religions and deals more with man\u2019s relationship with his fellow man rather than his relationship with his deity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Religion and Politics are never discussed within the Lodge.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Why do Freemasons wear Aprons?<\/summary>\n

The aprons come from our historical and symbolic roots as stonemasons. Being leather, they were designed to protect them from sharp tools and rough stones. <\/strong>For today\u2019s Freemasons, the apron is a mark of their membership. They are presented with a white leather apron when they join and go through their first degree, as they progress the apron’s become more elaborate.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Why should I become a Freemason?<\/summary>\n

People join Freemasonry for many different reasons, some join for the friendships they will make; some join for the social interaction between Brothers & some join out of curiosity. Friendships are made can last a lifetime and the bond within the Brotherhood is strong. You will meet people with different life experiences, different backgrounds and different careers all drawn together by one common denominator, The Lodge. 
Regardless of your background, career or life experiences every one within the Lodge is treated as an equal.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Can Women join Freemasonry?<\/summary>\n

Only men aged over 18 are allowed to join the Masonic Lodges operating under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Scotland, we are a Fraternal organisation. Even though Women cannot join the Lodge they are frequently present and welcome at our social gatherings and we encourage them to come along and participate at these events.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

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Interested<\/h2>\n\n\n\n