Currently, there are many different types of Knights Templar organisations in Scotland.  This, unfortunately, is a result of systematic internal warring and schisms over a period of some 25 years. 

Our Order feels that this has hurt Scotland, both Nationally and Internationally! 

The result is that whilst groups of International Knight Templars evolved into a Worldclass, Modern, Spiritual, Philanthropic, and Humanitarian Order.  In Scotland it remained a rather small Nationalistic, Historical Debating Society, with some unfounded esoteric belief systems.

At the last Grand Magistral Council Meeting of the International Order, (OSMTH) it was decided, after a period of nearly ten years in trying to bring a Scottish Order to the International table, that the responsibility for Mentoring a new Scottish Order should fall into line with its International Process for Application and Membership.

Therefore, it was agreed that the Grand Priory of France, (GPFT) would be authorised to contact existing Scottish Knight Templar’s who wished to create a New Scottish Knight Templar Order. This new Order would fulfil OSMTH Objectives and be ready to represent Scotland Internationally.

On Saturday, August the 19th, 2006, the Grand Priory of France (GPFT) under their Grand Prior, Chev Marcel de Picciotto, GCTJ, and under the authority of the Grand Commander and Grand Chancellor of OSMTH, did inaugurate the Commandery of St. Clair, No S1, at Rosslyn Chapel (Edinburgh) for the purposes contained above.

The Grand Priory of the Knights Templar in Scotland seeks to work positively in partnership with link minded Organisations to fulfill its Objectives.

The Commandery and its Administrative National Body (The Grand Priory of the Knights Templar in Scotland) have no connection, whatsoever, with any other Knight Templar body in Scotland.

FAQs

"What can the Order do for me?"  - Wrong question. Membership in our Order means a commitment to collaborate in the Order's charitable efforts. Membership does not provide an opportunity for solipsistic admiration and self-glorification, in accordance with the famous Templar motto "Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed nomini Tuo da gloriam" (Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to Your Name give glory).

"Who are the members of the Order?"  - Full membership is open to any Christian man or woman of good will and who has demonstrated a sustained and outstanding commitment to public service. This could be an honorable record in the Armed or Police forces, a distinguished career in public service or education, accomplishment in the arts and sciences, a history of dedicated volunteer work. Many of our members are in public office, including the clergy, or in the liberal professions. However, service and dedication are by no means limited to the so-called "elite." Frequently people with more unassuming professions and homemakers prove to be true bastions of civility, decency and dedication in our society. These silent heroes have a place of honor among us. Among the most prominent members of the Order there are several Congressmen, the Sergeant-at-Arms of the US Congress, former counsellors to the President of the USA, a former Attorney-General of the USA, members of the European High Aristocracy, heads of Scottish clans, Bishops of the Anglican, Lutheran and Orthodox Churches, diplomats and officials of several countries, of the United Nations or of intergovernmental organisations, and over one hundred Admirals and Generals in several countries.

"How can I become a member?" – Membership to the Order is by Invitation only. If you feel that you satisfy our high standards then please initially contact us by email and we will be happy to speak to you further about the membership process detailed on the Membership Requirements Page.

“Isn’t the Order just only about historical research into the Knights Templars and Scotland?” –  Our Objectives and Current Projects highlight our Humanitarian, Charitable, Advocacy and Spiritual work that we are involved in. Whilst the History of the Order and its Place in Scotland is important, we recognise that the Order always worked best when it worked as a Modern Order.

“Don’t you all have rather weird (closed to public) ceremonies and weird belief systems?” – Our ceremonies and teachings are ecumenical Christian in nature. The Order has a number of linkages with Senior Christian Religious Leaders worldwide. We welcome you to attend as a visitor as our ceremonies are open to the public.

"Will you teach me your secrets if I am allowed to join?" - There are no secrets! Please beware of ANY Templar organisation that offers you secret teachings or knowledge in return for membership or fees!

“What is your connection to Rosslyn Chapel?” -  We have enjoyed a warm and growing relationship with Rosslyn Chapel Trust over the last few years.  We have been welcomed to use the Chapel for our Investitures and our donations to assist the Chapel have been greatly received. Our Worthy Patron of the Order is Baron St. Clair Bonde, who is a member of the Rosslyn Chapel Trust Board.

“Is the Order in Scotland a Nationalistic Order?”  No, the individual’s political allegiance is left to their own conscience.  All we ask of our Members is that their Political Beliefs remain outside the door of the Order so that Members can enjoy the Harmony whilst conducting Templar activities.  

"What about the other Chivalric Knight Templar Orders in Scotland, how do I know who is the correct one?" - The one question that will seperate the 'Order' from all other Scottish Templar bodies is: "Do you have Special Consultative Status from the United Nations?" We can answer positively, all others cannot! All Scottish Chivalric Knight Templar organisations are modern creations and have no direct link to the Original Knights Templars. You should be cautious of any Templar organisation that tries to claim it is directly descended from the Original Order.

"Why is the French Order stepping on Scottish Soil and setting up their group here?" - This statement is without foundation! The Grand Priory of the Knights Templar in Scotland are a Scottish based organisation with Scottish Members. For our Order to become affiliated to the International Body (OSMTH) we need to follow their Standard Operating Process for Membership. In this case, an existing Full Grand Priory Member of OSMTH (IE GPFT) becomes our Mentor Order and oversees our progress to the point that we can apply to OSMTH to become Full Members ourselves. During this time we hold dual membership of "The Grand Priory of the Knights Templar in Scotland" and "The Grand Priory of France (GPFT, OSMTH)". This allows each member of the Scottish Order to be fully affiliated to the International Order as Ordinary Members of GPFT.

"Where is your lineage from?" - The Commandery of St. Clair, No S1. Edinburgh, Scotland was properly Chartered on August the 19th, 2006 by the Grand Priory of France (GPFT). The Inauguration took place in Rosslyn Chapel with at least 3 Knights Grand Crosses, 1 Archbishop, 1 Canon and Officers of the International Order (OSMTH) as witnesses. Being Part of OSMTH International we can trace our lineage back to Fabré-Palaprat Order (SMOTJ) to 1804.

"Do the Scottish Knights Templar have the real stone of Destiny?" - There is a group of Scottish Templars who have "Bailey Gray's" Fake Stone of Destiny that used to be in his Shop window. (Bailey Gray was the stonemason who hid, and repaired, the Westminister stone when it was stolen by Scottish Nationalists in the 1950s. Bailey used the fake in the shop window as a publicity stunt). Once the Westminister Stone was recovered the fake dissappeared but re-appeared in Parliament Sq in Edinburgh in 1972. The Rev John Nimmo took ownership of the stone until his Dundee Lochee Church closed and then the stone was moved to a Scottish Knight Templar Church at Dull, Aberfeldy. On the sale of this Church the fake stone was moved around the country and its current whereabouts are unknown. The Westminister stone was moved to Scotland in 1996 and by Historic Scotland's own admittance, "The left foot wear on one side of the stone appears to reflect its use as a step in a cylindrical staircase!" Historians will tell you that the real stone of Scone was probably black in colour. This stone has never been found!

"Is the Organisation an Order of the Catholic Church?"  -No. Our members hail from different Christian denominations and the Order is an ecumenical organisation.

"Are Templars Freemasons?"  - No, our Order is not a Masonic organisation, but we have no issues with Christian Freemasons applying for Membership.

"Can a Hindu become a member?" One of the cultural aims of the Order is to represent and defend the values of the Christian civilisation. Accordingly, full membership is open to Christians. It is important to stress, though, that we consider the Christian civilisation as one among many great civilisations worthy of preservation, not one necessarily superior to all others. Accordingly, we appreciate and cherish the contribution of non-Christian friends and supporters, true companions on our road.

"Are Templar groups hideouts for spies?"  - Among the many groups claiming a Templar identity, born of the romantic revival of Templarism, there have been undeniably some groups that served as cover-ups for covert and questionable operations. One of the fundamental tenets of our Order is that its members must be good and law-abiding citizens, of course with the proviso that the laws be compatible with their Christian values and with human rights in general.

"Is the Order an esoteric cult?" - Absolutely not. The neo-Templar world counts hundreds of small and large organisations, ranging from gastronomic societies and university student fraternities to organisations dedicated to the study and teaching of mystical-esoteric disciplines. There are indeed esoteric sects that also claim a Templar identity, but our Order has nothing to do with that. Our Order is inspired by and based on the chivalric and spiritual-ethical aspect of Templarity.

"How can I, a common citizen, be a member of an Order? Don't I have to be an aristocrat?"  - Membership of our Order requires dedication to service. Although some of our members are members of the aristocracy, a nobiliary title is NOT a requirement of membership. Conversely, membership in the Order does not mean that one receives any nobility title. In fact, the appellation "Knight" and "Dame" are the traditional appellatives used in the Order as a reminder that our members commit themselves to chivalric behaviour. They should not be confused with the titles bestowed by Sovereign powers.