Welcome to the webpages of Lodge St. David (Tarbolton) Mauchline No.133, the Mother Lodge of Robert Burns.

The aim of this site is to promote and support the Lodge, its activities, and the aims of Freemasonry in general, and hopefully will be of interest to Masons and Non-Masons alike.

We are very proud of our Lodge Heritage.

Scotland's National Bard, Robert Burns was Initiated into Lodge St. David on the 4th July 1781, Passed and Raised on 1st October the same year, making this for all time his Mother Lodge.

The original Charter from Grand Lodge, and the mallet used in the Lodge at the time of the Initiation of Robert Burns are on display and can still be seen at any of our Regular Meetings.

If, after browsing these webpages, you would like to know more about this Lodge, Freemasonry in General, or have any comments about the site content please contact the Lodge Secretary.

All Brethren are welcome to join us at our regular meetings which take place on the 4th Tuesday, August - May (except December), at 7.30pm. Our syllabus can be viewed below.

St. David lapsed members are particularly encouraged to seriously consider coming back to the Lodge, you will be made most welcome.

We hope that you enjoy your visit to our webpages.

Bro. Stuart J. McCarlie - Master

2024/25 Syllabus (Subject to change - check this page for regular updates)

Our regular meetings take place on the 4th Tuesday, August - May (except December), at 7.30pm, M.T., 63 Loudoun Street, Mauchline, KA5 5BE.

Event                                   Date                         Notes & Comments

Special Meeting             13 May '25             MMM Degree by Lodge Prestwick No.1060

Regular Meeting           27 May '25             FC Degree

Summer Recess

Regular Meeting           26 Aug '25             Degree TBD

2024/25 Office-bearers

A brief history of the Lodge

Around the time of the formation of the Lodge in Tarbolton there were two Masonic authorities in Scotland with the powers to grant charters for Lodges to operate.

Before the formation of The Grand Lodge of Scotland in the year 1736, Lodge Mother Kilwinning was a Grand Lodge in her own right, issuing charters and warrants to Lodges wishing to enjoy the practice of Freemasonry.

Both organisations although having very similar aims had entirely separate and distinct jurisdictions.

On 17th May 1771 Lodge Mother Kilwinning No.0, granted a charter to form a Lodge in Tarbolton, namely Tarbolton Kilwinning Lodge.

The Tarbolton Kilwinning Lodge operated successfully in the village for a couple of years, however at that time the authority and influence of Mother Kilwinning versus the power and control of The Grand Lodge of Scotland was in the balance.

For reasons which can only be speculated today, but most likely due to a switch of allegiance, several of the members in Tarbolton applied to The Grand Lodge of Scotland to form another Lodge in Tarbolton and on 5th February 1773 St. David Tarbolton Lodge No.174 was chartered.

The remaining members who were still attached to the original Kilwinning Lodge likewise later applied to The Grand Lodge of Scotland for recognition which resulted in establishing the St. James Tarbolton Kilwinning Lodge No.178 in 1774.

Both Lodges operated individually for a number of years, however at one point there must have been a realisation that the village was too small to sustain the two and so after joint discussions it was agreed to form a union of the two Lodges. This was effected on 25th June 1781, under the name of St. David Tarbolton Lodge No.174 since this Lodge held the oldest charter from The Grand Lodge of Scotland.

Robert Burns in Lochly was Initiated into the St David Tarbolton Lodge on 4th July 1781 and was Passed and Raised on 1st October, 1781. He was the only person ever to do so as the union of the Lodges was short lived.

By June 1782 the members were in disagreement about the union, and a disruption of the joint Lodge took place, so the history of the United Lodge, although brief, was none the less glorious for all times, having the distinction of making Robert Burns a Mason.

The former members of Lodge St. James thereafter re-constituted their Lodge in July 1782, and at the present time this Lodge appears on the Roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland as Lodge St. James (Kilwinning) Tarbolton No.135.

Both Lodges operated separately again for a time, the stronger being Lodge St James, which by now had the support of Robert Burns, who was later appointed Depute Master of that Lodge on 27th July 1784.

In 1816 Lodge St. David Tarbolton No.174 was renumbered by Grand Lodge to No.131, and in 1826 was again renumbered to its current No.133.

 St David ultimately became dormant in 1843, the Minute Books and certain other articles passing into private hands, but fortunately the Charter was recovered by the then Provincial Grand Master and returned to the Grand Lodge of Scotland for safe-keeping.

In 1869 Lodge St David Tarbolton No.133 was resurrected, only now to meet in Mauchline. It had several meeting places in Mauchline, including the North Church Halls, prior to acquiring its own premises in Loudoun St. on 10th October 1959.

In the late 1920's or early 1930's, the wooden chest containing quite a number of historical possessions of the Original Lodge was sadly destroyed by fire, but fortunately the Lodge still has in its possession the original charter which was present when Burns was made a Mason, the Masters' Gavel, the Lodge Standard and the Senior Warden's Chair.

The Lodge St. David Tarbolton Minute book containing the entry documenting the Initiation of Brother Robert Burns was also fortunately recovered from private ownership and is now in the possession of Lodge St. James (Kilwinning) Tarbolton No.135.

The Lodge celebrated its Bi-Centenary on 5th Feb 1973 with a rededication ceremony conducted by Grand Lodge held in the Masonic Temple.

On that occasion Brother Gregor Grant represented the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire and Brother Major Sir Ronald Orr Ewing of the Grand Lodge of Scotland was in attendance.

At the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge held on 6th August 1981, authority was granted for the name of Lodge St David (Tarbolton) No.133 to be altered to Lodge St David (Tarbolton) Mauchline No.133.

In 2009 a Re-Dedication ceremony conducted by Grand Lodge took place to mark the 50th Anniversary of the consecration of the Masonic Temple in Loudoun St. The then incumbent Provincial Grand Master Brother Archibald Chalmers led the Deputation from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire.

The Lodge reached a major milestone again in 2023 and celebrated its 250th Anniversary in great style, going back to its roots in Tarbolton for that very special occasion.

A Rededication ceremony was carried out in the Erskine Hall, Tarbolton on the 4th February that year by the Grand Lodge of Scotland, led by Brother W. Ramsay McGhee - Grand Master Mason.

In the same year a unique fund-raising event was organised by the Five Masters of the Five Lodges who celebrated their 250th anniversaries between 1771-73, namely Lodge St. James Newton Upon Ayr No. 125, Lodge St. Andrew Kilmarnock No. 126, Lodge Thistle Stewarton No. 127, Lodge St. David (Tarbolton) Mauchline No. 133, and Lodge St James (Kilwinning) Tarbolton No. 135. At a special meeting attended in person by the Grand Master Mason held in Tarbolton, a Fellowcraft Degree was conferred by the Five Masters and their Office-bearers on a Candidate to raise funds for Whiteley’s Retreat south of Alloway.

The present-day members of Lodge St David (Tarbolton) Mauchline No.133 are committed to carrying on with the duty of preserving the Lodge's glorious history of over 250 years, and to do everything necessary to ensure that the Lodge will be preserved for future posterity.

Original text by Robert J. Lawrence PM edited and updated by W.J.Lennox PM 

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