The Inauguration of Robert Burns in Lodge Canongate Kilwinning, 1787

Brother Robert Burns is the National Bard of Scotland yet his Masonic career is seldom mentioned by writers on the Bard. When Scottish Freemasonry is discussed it is often only either in passing or is explained away as being due to the darker side of Burns’ character.

In the Museum of the Grand Lodge of Scotland hangs a painting by W. Stewart Watson, reproductions of which hang in Masonic Lodges in the four quarters of the globe. In this presentation Brother Robert Cooper will outline the life of Robert Burns with an emphasis on his Masonic life and activities utilising the painting as a visual aid (hard copies or computer images will be available).

The opportunity will be taken to describe the life and times of some of the individuals (many were very colourful characters) depicted in the painting to provide some insight to what an 18^th century Scottish Masonic Lodge was like and the kind of members it attracted.