A Royal Visit

Scottish Freemasonry was well represented when King Charles and Queen Camilla began two days of events in Edinburgh for a Holyrood Week shortened this year by the general election. The Royal couple postponed events which may have diverted attention from the election but still had a packed schedule.

On Tuesday 2^nd July, Queen Camilla met with the Grand Master Mason, Brother Dr Joseph J. Morrow, along with Grand Lodge Homes and Charities Manager, Dawn Oliff, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The occasion was a Royal Reception to celebrate Scottish literature. The Queen heard from both Dawn and the Grand Master Mason about the new pilot project Grand Lodge is supporting in Dundee with Literacy Trust Scotland.

The Queen, who is an avid reader, was joined by numerous guests, including crime writers Sir Ian Rankin and Val McDermid, and newly knighted Sir Alexander McCall, as well as publishers and booksellers.

The following day, The Grand Master Mason, in his role as Lord Lyon, greeted the King and Queen on their arrival at Edinburgh Castle. Brother Morrow summoned the Garrison to open the gates to the King and present the Keys to the Castle. The Lord Provost, city councillor Robert Aldridge, then presented the keys on a red velvet cushion, which the King symbolically touched.

Ahead of the ceremony, the garden of the Palace of Holyroodhouse was transformed into a parade ground where the King met senior military and uniformed figures, including Police Scotland Chief Constable, Jo Farrell, before receiving a royal salute and inspecting a guard of honour of soldiers from Balaklava Company, 5 Scots. Also lined up were the Royal Company of Archers, who serve as the sovereign’s ceremonial bodyguard for Scotland, a role first created in 1822 for King George IV.

Several distinguished Freemasons are members of the Royal Company of Archers, including Past Grand Masters, Brother J.M. Marcus Humphrey of Dinnet, Brother Sir Archibald D. Orr Ewing, and Brother Charles Iain Robert Wolrige Gordon of Esslemont, along with Past Substitute Grand Master, Brother Alexander C.G. Moncrieff.

The King and Queen rounded off their trip with a celebration at Edinburgh Castle to mark the city’s 900th anniversary, after it was founded by King David I in 1124. The Grand Master Mason was accompanied by Brother Adam Bruce, Past Master, and Brother Liam Stewart, Past Master. Brother Stewart, a Substitute Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire and well-known musician, had the honour of playing the accordion for the Royal couple. As a champion and accomplished player, he has participated in many Installations and Harmonies across Scotland, including several Festivals of St Andrew. He was Initiated into Lodge St. Peter 331 in 2003 and emulated his late grandfather and father by becoming Master.