Commandery of Scotland
Modern Templars in Scotland have a long and exciting history, building on the ancient foundations of commanderies and preceptories throughout the country. Our Scottish commandery was originally a mentored entity of the OSMTH Grand Priory of France, but decided to approach the Grand Priory of England and Wales, a founder of our OSMTH international order, to formally come together and create a single grand priory covering the whole of the United Kingdom. Following formal cordial discussions and votes in France, Scotland and England & Wales, the new United Kingdom grand priory was created at Rothley Temple in 2016. Members live in all parts of Scotland, both urban and rural, meeting online and face to face throughout the year.
Service of Admission, Investiture, Promotion to Knight Commander& Transfer
at Glasgow Cathedral on Saturday 1 July 2023
This year’s Annual Service, hosted by the Scottish Commandery, was held in the very historic, medieval built, Glasgow Cathedral. Building work on the Cathedral started around 1136 and was completed around 1484; the site has been a pilgrimage for centuries to the tomb of St. Mungo, the 6th century Celtic missionary. With the Cathedral’s uplifting Gothic architecture and inspiring internal space, it was the ideal venue to host the 2023 Annual Service.
Templars from all over, descended upon Glasgow to attend the Service and the informal dinner later on in the day; from Ireland, England, United States, Romania and of course, Scotland, some bringing family members and friends.
Our hosts for the Service at Glasgow Cathedral could not have been more accommodating and helpful, both prior to the big day and on the day. So, a huge thank-you is accorded to the Minister, Rev. Mark Johnstone, the Cathedral Administrator, Mrs. Heather Beadling, and to all the many other staff, there, that helped to make the day one to remember.
Thankfully the weather held and proceedings began with a welcome to all Brothers, Sisters, family members and friends with teas and coffees available, prior to a buffet lunch being served within the confines of the St. Mungo Museum Café.
Prior to the actual Service beginning at 2.30pm, there was an opportunity, previously arranged, for all there, to have a tour of the Cathedral, ably managed by the on-duty tour guides for about an hour. Only those who had to set up and manage the Service, were unable to go, however, everyone else had a wonderful tour of the Cathedral, which set the scene for the rest of the afternoon.
It was then back to the Café for mantling up and also to allow time for guests and family members to take their seats prior to the Service beginning.
Now it was time for one of the highlights of the day. All brothers and Sisters, now mantled up, processed from the Café, through the precinct and into the Cathedral through its great West Door. You can imagine the site of a file of Templars, suddenly seen by the tourists there, processing in all their finery; the cameras were out and photographs and videos were being quickly taken! It didn’t end there either as we all processed through the Cathedral itself; through the Nave and on into the Choir and all this with the Cathedral organist playing, as an entrance piece, ‘La Mourisque’ by Tylman Susato.
The Service itself, after a welcome from Rev. Mark Johnstone, was conducted by one of our own Brothers. During the Service, there was one member being admitted as a Novice, three Novices being invested as Knights, one promotion to Knight Commander, a transfer of a Brother to GPUK from another Grand Priory and finally a presentation of a Certificate of Merit to another Brother for their exceptional service. The OSMTH Grand Commander gave a short speech prior to the closing ceremony. Many pictures were taken throughout and after of proceedings by an attendant fellow Brother. During the Recessional departure, the organist played, ‘Toccata (Symphony 5)’ by C.M. Widor. With the end now achieved, it was time for all to have photographs taken.
With the official part of the day over, it was now time to retire down to the ever famous hostelry, Sloans, in Glasgow city centre, for our end of day celebrations, a much deserved tipple, lots of craic and the informal dinner, which was very enjoyable indeed. All-in-all, it was a very well attended event with about forty attending a thoroughly enjoyable and momentous day.
At the end of the evening; all good things must come to an end and the weary and those who had an early start the following day, trundled off into the night, whilst some others were about to continue to….well, I’ll leave that one to the imagination!
Service of Admission, Investiture & Promotion to Grand Officer
at King’s College Chapel, Aberdeen on Saturday 30 April 2022
The 2022 service, hosted by the Commandery of Scotland, was held at Aberdeen University.
The University was founded in 1495 and was originally known as King`s College. The founder was William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen, who had much support from King James IV of Scotland.
The gathering was well attended by Brothers, Sisters and friends from up and down the length of the country.
The social gathering and meal were held in the Linklater Rooms, an intimate space – named after the celebrated novelist, Aberdeen graduate and rector Eric Linklater.
Throughout the day photographs were being taken by our good friend Shirley Cooper, which was greatly appreciated.
The University caterers did us proud, with an informal two-course meal prior to attending the service in King`s College Chapel.
The Knights on the day, donned their mantles and proceeded in file to the Chapel.
The Crown Tower remains one of the most historic and beautiful emblems and icons of our university. The crown of the College, an Imperial crown, is a symbol of universal dominion, as opposed to a national one, and it is likely that this crown was incorporated into the architecture to support the Scottish crown's claim to imperial authority within Scotland. However, the Chapel sanctuary which sits beneath the Tower is also a space of beauty. King’s College Chapel contains five rare decorations made of canvas and wooden scaffolding dating back to the 16th and 17th century.
Kings College Chapel was created by Bishop Elphinstone and was the heart of the early college and occupies one whole side of the Quadrangle. You enter first the public nave, now a War Memorial – the University`s tribute to its fallen. Then pass through the elaborate doorway of the oak screen. On each side are the finely carved stalls (1500-09) , a unique survival in Scotland.
Postulants from the Scottish Commandery were then admitted as novices, the investiture of a knight from the Military Commandery, followed by the ceremony of conferring the Dignity of Grand Officer.
All-in-all it was a wonderful day. We all said our farewells and headed off in the direction of home.
"The new Novices will remember taking their vows in such a wonderful venue for years to come. Sharing the listening to the Modern Rule with my fellow Templars reminds each one of us of our close links with current and former knights and dames, as we are part of a long chain of Templars, aiming to do well and make the world a better place."
OSMTH Grand Commander George MacLean