HEREDOM OF KILWINNING
A Retrospective of the lessons and symbolism of the craft degrees of Masonry.

THE ROSY CROSS
Is centered around the Battle of Bannockburn, 24th June 1314 and alludes to a group of 36 knights who may have been original Templars and Freemasons.

The Royal Order of Scotland proudly professes to use the ritual which has changed little since the early 18th Century and both degrees of the Order have wording and subject matter known long before that time.

The documented history of the Order commences with the issue of a Charter to Brother William Mitchell appointing him Provincial Grand Master of the Seven United Provinces, now known as the Netherlands.  The Charter was engrossed by the Provincial Grand Master of South Britain, i.e. England.

It appears that there were at least six subordinate Chapters under this Supreme Ruler and that they were in and around London supporting the view that the Order was English in origin.

The Provincial Grand Lodge was still working in November, 1753 when a London newspaper gave notice that meetings were to be held at six in the evening on the fifth Sunday of each month at the White Swan.  Presumably this Grand Lodge ceased to exist some time after that date.

During the next two centuries, the Order has spread across the world and 2003 there were sixty six Provincial Grand Lodges:

Scotland  (3)
England  (18)
U.S.A.  (1)
Canada  (9)
Africa  (13)
New Zealand  (4)
Australia  (8)
Far East & S.E. Asia  (2)
Gibraltar  (1)
Netherlands  (1)
Philippines  (1)
Caribbean & Bermuda  (2)

Qualifications

(a)  Must be invited.

(b)  Must have a Master Mason for more than five years.

(c)  Must be a Trinitarian Christian Faith.

Must be a 32nd degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, "although this may be waived if the Petitioner is a Knight Templar."

REGALIA:  Apron - Sashes - Jewel - Garter