Lodge Mother Kilwinning - The Mother Lodge of Scotland

4th Earl of Kilmarnock

William Boyd 4th Earl of Kilmarnock was the Grand Master of Kilwinning from 1742 to 1743. William was appointed as colonel of the hussars, by Bonnie Prince Charles Stuart and fought at the battle of Falkirk, in which the young adventurer was victorious, on the afternoon of the 17th of January, 1746. He was unfortunately badly wounded at the battle of Culloden on the 16th April 1746 in an attempt to besiege Stirling castle from the Duke of Cumberland. He was captured, then carried to London and imprisoned in the Tower. A bill of indictment having been found against him, he was brought to trial and sentenced to death. On the 18th of August 1746 William Boyd was led out, hung, drawn and quartered.

Archibald George Montgomerie 17th Earl of Eglinton and 5th Earl of Winton was the Right Worshipful Master of the Mother Lodge from 1949 to 1957. Archibald was installed as the Grand Master Mason of Scotland from 1957 to 1961. A famous family in the annuls of Masonic and indeed Scottish history who have a long association with Lodge Mother Kilwinning. The foundation stone of Eglinton Castle, home of the Montgomerie's was laid in 1797. The castle today is perhaps more remembered as the scene of the great tournament in 1839. The earliest Montgomerie to become the Grand Master Mason of Scotland was Alexander 10th Earl of Eglinton from 1750 to 1751.

17th Earl of Eglinton

The pictures of these and many other noble and distinguished gentleman hang on the walls of the present Mother Lodge room today.

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