Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland
Encyclopedia
The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland is the autonomous Grand Lodge that organises the Orange Institution
in Scotland
. A staunchly protestant fraternity, the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland is one of the largest political forces advocating unionism in Scotland and the continuance of the United Kingdom
. It has 50,000 members which are predominantly drawn from the Scottish Lowlands
, and its headquarters are in Bridgeton, Glasgow
.
The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland is made up of four County Grand Lodges: Ayrshire-Renfrewshire and Argyll, Central Scotland, East of Scotland and Glasgow. From these County Grand Lodges Orangemen and Orangewomen are elected to serve their fellows as part of the organisation's governing body.
On 24 March 2007 more than 12,000 Orangemen, a far greater turnout than expected, from Scotland and other countries of the United Kingdom
took part in a procession to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Acts of Union 1707
and marched through Edinburgh
's Royal Mile
. This culminated in a rally where its leaders warned members of the danger of the Scottish National Party
breaking up the UK. The Grand Master
of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, Ian Wilson
, said that "the Union has been good for Scotland and will continue to be good for Scotland".
The Orange Order, after decades of gentle decline in Scotland, made a slight recovery in its membership between 2006 and 2009. In October 2009 the Orange Order declared their strong opposition to the Scottish National Party
and Scottish nationalism
. Traditionally supportative of the Scottish Conservative Party, the Orange Order in Scotland vowed to support unionism even if that meant aiding their political opponents the Scottish Labour Party
in Scottish and UK elections.
The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland is the traditional point of contact for Ulster loyalists
from Northern Ireland
.
Orange Institution
The Orange Institution is a Protestant fraternal organisation based mainly in Northern Ireland and Scotland, though it has lodges throughout the Commonwealth and United States. The Institution was founded in 1796 near the village of Loughgall in County Armagh, Ireland...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. A staunchly protestant fraternity, the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland is one of the largest political forces advocating unionism in Scotland and the continuance of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It has 50,000 members which are predominantly drawn from the Scottish Lowlands
Scottish Lowlands
The Scottish Lowlands is a name given to the Southern half of Scotland.The area is called a' Ghalldachd in Scottish Gaelic, and the Lawlands ....
, and its headquarters are in Bridgeton, Glasgow
Bridgeton, Glasgow
Bridgeton is a district to the east side of Glasgow city centre. It is bounded by Glasgow Green to the west, Dalmarnock to the east and south and Calton to the north-west at Abercromby Street/ London Road...
.
The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland is made up of four County Grand Lodges: Ayrshire-Renfrewshire and Argyll, Central Scotland, East of Scotland and Glasgow. From these County Grand Lodges Orangemen and Orangewomen are elected to serve their fellows as part of the organisation's governing body.
On 24 March 2007 more than 12,000 Orangemen, a far greater turnout than expected, from Scotland and other countries of the United Kingdom
Countries of the United Kingdom
Countries of the United Kingdom is a term used to describe England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. These four countries together form the sovereign state of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which is also described as a country. The alternative terms, constituent...
took part in a procession to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Acts of Union 1707
Acts of Union 1707
The Acts of Union were two Parliamentary Acts - the Union with Scotland Act passed in 1706 by the Parliament of England, and the Union with England Act passed in 1707 by the Parliament of Scotland - which put into effect the terms of the Treaty of Union that had been agreed on 22 July 1706,...
and marched through Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
's Royal Mile
Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is a succession of streets which form the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of the city of Edinburgh in Scotland.As the name suggests, the Royal Mile is approximately one Scots mile long, and runs between two foci of history in Scotland, from Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Castle...
. This culminated in a rally where its leaders warned members of the danger of the Scottish National Party
Scottish National Party
The Scottish National Party is a social-democratic political party in Scotland which campaigns for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom....
breaking up the UK. The Grand Master
Grand Master (order)
Grand Master is the typical title of the supreme head of various orders of knighthood, including various military orders, religious orders and civil orders such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Orange Order...
of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, Ian Wilson
Ian Wilson
Ian Wilson may refer to:* Ian Wilson , Australian politician* Ian Wilson , Irish composer* Ian Wilson , English cinematographer...
, said that "the Union has been good for Scotland and will continue to be good for Scotland".
The Orange Order, after decades of gentle decline in Scotland, made a slight recovery in its membership between 2006 and 2009. In October 2009 the Orange Order declared their strong opposition to the Scottish National Party
Scottish National Party
The Scottish National Party is a social-democratic political party in Scotland which campaigns for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom....
and Scottish nationalism
Scottish independence
Scottish independence is a political ambition of political parties, advocacy groups and individuals for Scotland to secede from the United Kingdom and become an independent sovereign state, separate from England, Wales and Northern Ireland....
. Traditionally supportative of the Scottish Conservative Party, the Orange Order in Scotland vowed to support unionism even if that meant aiding their political opponents the Scottish Labour Party
Scottish Labour Party
The Scottish Labour Party is the section of the British Labour Party which operates in Scotland....
in Scottish and UK elections.
The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland is the traditional point of contact for Ulster loyalists
Ulster loyalism
Ulster loyalism is an ideology that is opposed to a united Ireland. It can mean either support for upholding Northern Ireland's status as a constituent part of the United Kingdom , support for Northern Ireland independence, or support for loyalist paramilitaries...
from Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.