Commandery of Scotland

The Scottish Commandery (GPUK) celebrated its Annual Service, as a Rededication Service, in the historic and surrounded by the internal magnificence of the Church of the Holy Rude in Stirling on Saturday, 22nd June in the company of many of our Templar brothers from far and wide, along with some family members and friends.

It was a delight to see so many attend and a shame that two or three of our fellow Templar brothers could not attend through illness.

The day started with everyone mustering opposite the Church at Cowane’s café and take-away, where an assortment of food and drinks was available to purchase for lunch. After everyone had bought their take-away, we all gathered in a specially prepared, cordoned off area, within the Church to eat and have a good old blether.

Following on from lunch, a pre-arranged tour of the historic Church was undertaken by two very knowledgeable tour guides from Visit Stirling. This took everyone through the Church’s story from medieval times to the present day and gave an insight into the many historic items on show, its stained glass and the stories behind them all.

For an hour before mantling up, the Church bell-ringers played for about an hour in honour of the Templars being there. As the last piece of music from the bell-ringers ended, we all processed out of the side doors of the Church, into the Church precinct and then through the main doors, along with the sitting Minister, the Rev. Alan Miller, as the organist played a piece from Bach. We then continued processing down the centre of the main aisle through the Choir; each to take their relevant places either at the altar or within the choir area itself.

The Service began and everyone who was asked to play a part in it did so with great enthusiasm and reverence. Brother John Hopper, who conducted the Service after a few introductory words from Rev. Alan Miller, did so with his usual aplomb.

Before the Service came to a conclusion, the Grand Prior, Anthony, invited our visiting American brother, Kurt Orcutt, to come forward and receive the honour of becoming an Affiliate of the GPUK. Kurt humbly accepted and was grateful to become as such.

As the Service ended we all processed back through the Church and outside, again, to a melodic piece of music from the resident organist, to finally end our day as guests of the Church of the Holy Rude.

Everyone then assembled for an informal dinner in the restaurant of The Golden Lion Hotel to feast, chat, relax and enjoy a well-deserved meal in the ambience of another historic venue, which itself, has its own very long tale to tell.

Following on from the meal and few drinks later, some headed home, some stayed in at the hotel, while others set off into the night to enjoy Stirling’s finest hostelries…. But that is another story.

A fantastic and enjoyable day was had by all who attended. It only leaves me to thank all who came, all who helped organise and made it such a memorable day out and to all at the Church of the Holy Rude, including Rev. Alan Miller and Pat Castle, who went out of their way to accommodate our wishes in every manner and lastly the staff at the hotel for all their good cheer and able service at dinner.

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

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.