Who are Masons?
Masons are spiritual and moral men who choose to associate with group of
like-minded individuals for mutual benefit. What they find in freemasonry is a
disciplined and systematic course of self-improvement based on the Golden Rule:
always do to others what you would like them to do to you.
There are 3.2 million masons across the world and more than 150,000 in SCotland.Everyone
is welcome, regardless of race, colour or creed.
Masons are spiritual and moral people, but there’s no room for
discussion of sectorial religion or partisan politics in freemasonry. Members
are free to follow their own path, as long as it fits with the ethical
principles of integrity and virtue symbolized by the square and compass—the
icon most commonly associated with Masonry.
Masonry stresses the principles of kindness and consideration at home,
honesty in business, courtesy towards others, dependability in one’s work,
compassion for the less fortunate and being a good citizen of the world.
Masonry recognizes that each man has obligations to his family, his work, his
religious beliefs, his community and himself - these must take priority and
Masonry does not interfere with his ability to meet these obligations.
Masons participate in three progressive degrees, each one teaching
an important lesson through the use of symbols. The degrees help a Mason think
about the big questions: Where did I come from? What am I doing here? And what
comes next?
A lodge is not a building…it’s the men that form it.
The foundation of the Masonic family is the Masonic lodge. It is here
that Masonry teaches its lessons: kindness in the home, honesty in business,
courtesy in society, fairness in work, concern for the unfortunate and respect
for one another. Most lodges are clearly signed and located on main streets in
communities small and large across the globe.
With over 600 Lodges in Scotland, there should be a lodge that meets in
a location near you.
Masonry is not a secret society…we’re happy to share what we know.
Any information about Masons can be found at a well-stocked bookstore or
local library. Masonic buildings are clearly marked and members often identify
themselves by wearing Masonic jewellery.
The so-called Masonic “Secrets” are confined to modes of recognition by which a visitor can prove himself to be a Mason and thereby become eligible to enter a lodge in which he was otherwise not known.