ROBERT BURNS, FREEMASON

Without doubt, Scotland's most famous Freemason was the country's national Bard, Brother Robert Burns.

Burns was born in 1759 and died at the early age of just 37 in 1796, but few outside the Craft are aware that many of his poems were based on, or revolved around Freemasonry.

On July 4, 1781, at the age of 23, Robert Burns was initiated as an Entered Apprentice into Lodge St. David Tarbolton 174 just over a week after the amalgamation of Lodge St. David Tarbolton 174 and Lodge St. James Tarbolton 178.

On October 1, 1781 Brother Robert Burns was passed as a Fellow of the Craft and then raised as a Master Mason.

Lodge St David Tarbolton eventually closed and was replaced by Lodge St. James (Kilwinning) Tarbolton 135. On July 27, 1784, Brother Robert Burns was elected as Depute Master of St James (Kilwinning) Tarbolton, which at that time met in the Cross Keys public house, a position he held for four years. Many of the lodge records, in the Bard's own handwriting still exist, and Brother Robert Burns was a frequent visitor to lodges in Irvine, Dumfries and Edinburgh over the ensuing years.

In the museum in the Grand Lodge of Scotland hangs a very large painting by Brother Stewart Watson which depicts Brother Robert Burns being inaugurated as Poet Laureate of Lodge Canongate Kilwinning in Edinburgh on March 1, 1787.

Every one of the 61 people in the picture have been identified, but the fact is not all of them were alive when the picture was painted, but all were members of the lodge.

Brother Robert Burns was an active Freemason, and as stated earlier, many of his verses were based on his experiences in Freemasonry.

Typical of this is:

There's many a badge that's unco braw
Wi' ribbon, tape and lace on;
Let kings and princes wear them a'
Gie me the Master's Apron.

There are lodges commemorating Brother Robert Burns all over the world, but I am afraid this web page is too small to include a great deal of information on them.

Any brethren who wish to learn more about the Bard in Freemasonry should try and get a copy of the book Robert Burns The Freemason, edited by Brother John Weir
It should be available from the Secretary, Grand Lodge of Scotland, Freemason's Hall, 96 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3DH. Telephone 0044 0131 225 5304 or fax 0044 0131 225 3953

Another very useful book about Robert Burns is Pride and Passion by Gavin Sprott published by The National Museums of Scotland, and available from HMSO Bookshop, 71 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9AZ. Telephone 0044 0131 228 4181, fax 0044 0131 229 2734.

For further information about Robert Burns visit

ROBERT BURNS POET, A CELEBRATION

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