The Grand Lodge of the Royal Order of Scotland

For more than 250 years, the Headquarters of the Royal Order of Scotland has been in Edinburgh. The Grand Lodge is distinctive in admitting new members directly and in having no local lodges.

The Head of the Order, who also chairs the Grand Lodge, holds the title of Deputy Grand Master and Governor. This honour is currently held by Brother Ewan Rutherford, who oversees a global network of around one hundred Provincial Grand Lodges. These include several in Scotland, more than thirty in England, and others across Europe, Canada, the United States, Australasia, Africa, East Asia, and the Caribbean.

Headquarters of the Order

The governing body of the Royal Order of Scotland was based in London from at least 1741. By 1750, Edinburgh had assumed prominence and was established as the Grand Lodge when the Council of Knights issued the first Regulations; 43 articles that transformed the Edinburgh Chapter and its Inner Council into the present Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter. The Order has remained in Edinburgh ever since.

In 1992, the administrative office was relocated to St John Street, Edinburgh, after the Royal Order took over premises from Lodge Canongate Kilwinning. The Grand Lodge held meetings there and managed the Order from St John Street, which quickly became its home.

As attendance grew, it became impractical to continue meeting in the Chapel of St John at 23 St John Street. Today, all official meetings are held at Freemasons’ Hall, Edinburgh, while the administrative office and headquarters remain at St John Street.

The Chapel of St John

Freemasons worldwide regard the Chapel of St John in St John Street, Edinburgh as the oldest purpose‑built lodge room. While older buildings are used for Masonic meetings—particularly in Scotland—none were originally constructed for that purpose.

The Chapel of St John was built in 1735 specifically to house the meetings of Lodge Canongate Kilwinning, making it a unique and enduring landmark in Masonic history.