Square&Compass1
Lodge Thistle 127 was granted its Charter on 20th May 1771 and much of its history has been understandably lost, or has never been recorded. In 1993, following extensive research, Bro. Archibald Chalmers, P.M. published a document entitled 'Historical Notes on Lodge Thistle No. 127 (Stewarton)'. The information in this section is taken from that document and reproduced with the kind permission of Bro. Archibald.
______________________________________________________________________________________

THE PROCESSION

The procession which paraded through the principal streets of the Town before ending up at the Viaduct was from the newspaper reports a very impressive one. I would put a conservative estimate at the number of persons in the parade to be around 200. The line up was as follows:-

Assistant Marshals
(Eros J. Smith and W. Wilson of 127)
Stewart on Whipmen (mounted)

Darvel Band
The Contractor's Workmen

Irvine Band
The Magistrates, Commissioners, and inhabitants
of the Burgh of Stewarton

The Freemasons;
311 Dunlop Caledonian,
290 DaIry Blair,
253 Pollockshaws Royal Arch,
205 Lochwinnoch Garthland St. Vinnoch,
202 Riccarton St. Clement,
179 Mauchline St. Mungo,
157 Beith St. John,
149 Irvine St. Andrew.

Assistant Marshals
(Bros John White and Thomas Hamilton of 127)
135 Tarbolton St. James,
129 Paisley St. Mirren,
126 Kilmarnock St. Andrew,
109 Kilmarnock St. Karnock,
86 Troon Navigation.

Newmilns Band
51 Newmilns Loudoun Kilwinning,
22 Kilmarnock St. John Kilwinning,
127 Stewarton Thistle St. John.

Assistant Marshals
(Bros F. Queen and W. Craig of 127)
Deputation from The P.G.Lodge of East Renfrewshire.

Stewarton Band
Mother Kilwinning
Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire.

MORE HISTORICAL NOTES