Royal Arch Series
- Mark Master MasonPerseverance through rejection
- Excellent MasterReturn from Babylon to rebuild
- Royal ArchRecovery, rebuilding and renewal
Country guide / Scotland
A different
constitution.
Scottish Freemasonry shares a foundation with English Masonry, but its governance, ritual variety and routes beyond the Craft are distinctly its own.
01 / The foundation
Grand Lodge
since 1736.
Scottish Constitution
The Grand Lodge of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland was founded in 1736. Scottish Lodges preserve a notable degree of local identity, including differences in ceremonial practice.
The important distinction
Do not assume an English pathway applies in Scotland. The Mark degree, for example, can be conferred in a Craft Lodge and also forms the first stage of the Scottish Royal Arch series.
02 / Connection map
Explore Scotland's orders and societies
This map separates the principal Scottish progression systems from independent, invitational, research and fellowship bodies. It is not a single ladder.
Foundation or authorityOrder, route or jurisdictionChristian qualificationBy invitationRelated or specialist body
Educational overview only. Recognition, eligibility and progression vary by jurisdiction. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant official body.
Visual orientation
A landscape of
A landscape of
connected routes.
Use the image and chart together as orientation only: Scottish Craft, Royal Arch, Templary, chivalric and research bodies each have their own authority, history and local process.
03 / The Scottish pathway
Three connected series.
These degrees are under the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland. The groupings below follow its own published description.
Lodge & Council Series
- Royal Ark MarinerNoah, faithfulness and survival
- Knight of the SwordRelease and return under Zerubbabel
- Knight of the EastOvercoming difficulty while rebuilding
- Knight of the East & WestIndustry, skill and reward
Cryptic Rite Series
- Royal MasterMortality and preparation
- Select MasterPreservation in the Secret Vault
- Super Excellent MasterDestruction, captivity and hope
04 / Key differences
Same roots.
Different shape.
Lodge identity
Scottish Lodges have historically retained greater freedom in ritual practice than English Lodges working under UGLE.
The Mark
By an 1860 agreement, the Mark may be conferred in a Craft Lodge or a Mark Lodge attached to a Royal Arch Chapter.
Excellent Master
The Excellent Master is a required and visible part of the Scottish Royal Arch sequence, unlike the English Constitution.
Separate authorities
Craft is governed by Grand Lodge, while the Royal Arch and its connected series are governed by Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter.
05 / Beyond the Chapter
Other sovereign
Scottish bodies.
These organisations are not departments of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. Each has its own constitution, officers and admission rules.
Royal Arch system
Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter
Governs the Royal Arch, Lodge and Council, and Cryptic Rite series described above. A Scottish Royal Arch route begins with the Mark and includes the Excellent Master degree.
Explore the official pathway ↗
Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite
Supreme Council for Scotland
The independent Scottish authority for the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Its public site documents a history extending back into the nineteenth century and provides current governing information.
Visit the Supreme Council ↗
Christian chivalric orders
Great Priory of Scotland
Governs the Masonic Order of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta in Scotland. Its work is explicitly Christian, chivalric and charitable.
Visit Great Priory ↗
Invitational order
Royal Order of Scotland
Headquartered in Edinburgh and worked worldwide through Provincial Grand Lodges. Candidates must be Freemasons and be recommended by two members before they may be invited to apply.
Read the official joining guide ↗Detailed resources
Explore every
order and body.
Each guide contains more than 1,000 words covering history, eligibility, structure, meetings, costs, identity, misconceptions and official sources.
GLSCraft jurisdictionDegree seriesDegree seriesDegree seriesRiteChristian chivalric order
Invitational order
Invitational degree order
Invitational historical order
Christian Rosicrucian society
Heritage and fellowship order
Fellowship and charitable order
Invitational degree order
Invitational Christian order
Invitational Christian order
Craft Freemasonry in Scotland
The sovereign Scottish Craft tradition, governed by the Grand Lodge of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland.
Read the complete guide →Degree seriesScottish Royal Arch Series
The Scottish sequence of Mark Master Mason, Excellent Master and Royal Arch under the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland.
Read the complete guide →Degree seriesScottish Lodge and Council Series
A four-degree Scottish series comprising Royal Ark Mariner, Knight of the Sword, Knight of the East, and Knight of the East and West.
Read the complete guide →Degree seriesScottish Cryptic Rite Series
The Royal Master, Select Master and Super Excellent Master degrees as governed in the Scottish Royal Arch system.
Read the complete guide →RiteAncient and Accepted Scottish Rite in Scotland
The Scottish jurisdiction of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite under its own Supreme Council.
Read the complete guide →Christian chivalric orderGreat Priory of Scotland
The Scottish governing body for the Masonic Orders of the Temple and St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta.
Read the complete guide →ROSInvitational Christian orderRoyal Order of Scotland
An invitational Masonic order governed worldwide from Edinburgh and worked through Provincial Grand Lodges.
Read the complete guide →Invitational orderOrder of the Secret Monitor in Scotland
A Masonic order centred on friendship, personal support and the story of David and Jonathan.
Read the complete guide →Invitational degree orderAncient and Masonic Order of the Scarlet Cord in Scotland
A separately governed order whose modern revival grew from ceremonies formerly associated with the Secret Monitor.
Read the complete guide →Invitational historical orderMasonic Order of Athelstan in Scotland
A modern Masonic order drawing on the Anglo-Saxon chronicles, the traditional York assembly and the development of Craft symbolism.
Read the complete guide →Christian Rosicrucian societySocietas Rosicruciana in Scotia
Scotland's independent Masonic Rosicrucian society for eligible Christian Master Masons.
Read the complete guide →Heritage and fellowship orderYe Corporation O' Squaremen in Scotland
A Scots-language side order preserving operative building imagery, local heritage and convivial fellowship.
Read the complete guide →Fellowship and charitable orderYe Antient Order of Noble Corks in Scotland
A light-hearted Masonic fellowship tradition associated with charitable fundraising and local Cork Lodges.
Read the complete guide →Invitational degree orderAllied Masonic Degrees in Scotland
An invitational body preserving a collection of additional Masonic degrees and encouraging research and fellowship.
Read the complete guide →Invitational Christian orderRed Cross of Constantine in Scotland
A Christian Masonic and military order worked through Conclaves under a Scottish governing jurisdiction.
Read the complete guide →Invitational Christian orderHoly Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests and Holy Wisdom in Scotland
Christian Masonic orders governed by the Grand College at York and represented through authorised Tabernacles.
Read the complete guide →06 / Verify & explore
Official Scottish
sources.
01Grand Lodge of ScotlandGoverning body for Craft Masonry ↗
02Official historyGrand Lodge founded in 1736 ↗
03Orders in ScotlandGrand Lodge's pathway guide ↗
04Supreme Grand Royal Arch ChapterScottish Royal Arch governing body ↗
05Journey to the Royal ArchOfficial degree-by-degree explanation ↗
06Find a ChapterOfficial Scottish directory ↗
07Supreme Council for ScotlandAncient & Accepted Scottish Rite ↗
08Great Priory of ScotlandMasonic Templar governing body ↗
09Royal Order of ScotlandWorldwide governing body in Edinburgh ↗