Bannockburn Freemasons Celebrate 200 years

Stirling celebrates 900 years in 2024. On 1^st November 2024 Lodge Bannockburn Lodge Bruce and Thistle No. 312 celebrated its 200^th anniversary.

In the Golden Lion Hotel, Stirling on 2nd November some 200 Freemasons were led in a rededication ceremony by the Grand Lodge of Scotland headed by the Right Worshipful Past Grand Master Brother W. Ramsay McGhee.  Afterward, a celebratory meal and toasts remarked on the Lodge’s history, its grounding in the Bannockburn community, the many acts of good deeds and charitable works locally and globally.

The collection raised over £1,000 for charity. All attendees received an updated Lodge history book, miniature of Glenlivet (also celebrating its 200^th anniversary), specially commissioned glass and slice of tablet.

Of the first 19 Lodge members in 1824, 13 were involved in the manufacture of cloth, the major employer in the village.  Continuing Industrial Revolution-led change through the 19th century shows in minutes, with emerging local pits meaning many coal miners joined the craft. On-going emigration to Canada and Australia led to Brethren being raised through all the Degrees at one emergency meeting - a speedy arrangement also made for many members going overseas on active service.

The Lodge moved into their current premises ‘The Royal George Mill’ in 1925, buying it for £110 and spending £600 on internal refurbishments. In both world wars the Lodge was requisitioned by the authorities. The Lodge was also let to the YMCA, Free Gardeners, The Boys’ Brigade and Murrayfield UF Church.

Another expression of its community grounding is the Lodge’s attendance at the laying of foundation stones.  Ceremonies included the new bridge over the Forth at Stirling in 1831; the Wallace Monument in 1861; the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in 1870 and Mr Smith’s Institution, Stirling in 1871.  May 1964, many brethren attended the masonic ceremony at the Bruce statue unveiling at the Borestone.

Fundamental to Freemasonry is benevolence and charity. To locals the minutes record the members 1907 payments to treat Brother Bartram following a request from Lodge Iowa, Canada. In 1909 they gave £5 (£750 today) to the widow of Brother George McCormack to start a small business to support herself and her family. The 1918 -1920 flu epidemic show many support payments to widows and orphans and following three 1922 fatalities at Plean Pit, the Lodge made special payments to the wives and dependants plus a donation to the Disaster Fund.

Support to groups include 1913’s money sent to Star of the East Lodge No. 880, Greece to support brethren made homeless following an earthquake. In 2005 it was the South East Asian Tsunami and in 2010 the Haiti earthquake fund. During the World War years, the Lodge supported the Belgian refugee fund, comforts for POWs, and sent Christmas Parcels to all members on active service. 1921 saw significant donations to Bannockburn’s communal soup kitchen. 1996 we extended a significant donation to the Dunblane appeal.

Since the 175^th rededication in 1999 the Lodge show donations to 14 charities from Strathcarron Hospice, Eilidh Brown memorial through to CHAS, RNLI, Salvation Army and a new play group in the town. They have also contributed to the Grand Lodge of Scotland’s nominated charity Prostate (Scotland) with the total now exceeding £1.2 million.

The benevolence committee continue to give support to this day.

The current master of the Lodge Bro. Thomas J. Campbell, thanked everyone for their support in making the 200^th anniversary a success. He commented that while there are sure to be challenges ahead, freemasonry and all its good works will continue in Bannockburn for many years to come.

Thanks for the words go to Bro. Derek A. Robertson Senior Deacon 312, pictures are from Graeme Russell PM1456.

Past Grand Master W. Ramsay McGhee, with Lodge 312’s Right Worshipful Master Bro. Thomas J. Campbell PM.

The Grand Lodge of Scotland team with the Past Masters and Office-bearers of Lodge Bannockburn 312.

Lodge 312’s Right Worshipful Master Bro. Thomas J. Campbell PM with the Provincial Grand Master Gordon W.S. Sewell.