Grand Lodge of Ancient Order of Free Gardeners Scotland

A.O.F.G Scotland

The history of the Ancient Order of Free Gardeners is deeply rooted in Scotland. Evidence of Free Gardener activity can be traced to the seventeenth century, including the historic Haddington Lodge. The early lodges served as fraternal and friendly societies, providing fellowship and mutual assistance to their members. Over time, their activities expanded beyond gardening and horticulture to include charitable support for members, widows, orphans, and those experiencing hardship.

A major milestone came in 1849, when efforts were undertaken to establish a Grand Lodge for the Free Gardeners of Scotland. The National Library of Scotland preserves minute books of the Grand Lodge of Free Gardeners Scotland dating from 1849 to 1901, providing important documentary evidence of the organization's nineteenth-century history.

Historical accounts identify 6 November 1849 as an important date in this development, when representatives of Free Gardener lodges gathered at Lasswade, Midlothian, to consider the formation of a Grand Lodge. The initiative brought together previously independent lodges and helped establish a more organized national structure for the Ancient Order.

HISTORIC DEPUTATION TO SCOTLAND A FATHER AND SON LEGACY

Pictured: Deputation from the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Order of Free Gardeners Scotland (A.O.F.G.) visiting Scotland, with MWGM Bro. Iain Vincent and his father, Bro. Gordon Vincent.

This photograph marks a truly historic moment in the modern history of our Ancient Order.

During this official Deputation to Scotland, Bro. Gordon Vincent - father of our Most Worthy Grand Master, MWGM Iain Vincent - was installed as Warden of Scotland by the Grand Lodge. Bro. Gordon becomes the first Scottish-based Grand Lodge Office Bearer since 1956 - ending a 68-year hiatus and restoring a direct Grand Lodge presence in the mother country of our Order.

For decades, the Grand Lodge of Scotland A.O.F.G. has been faithfully preserved and governed from South Africa, keeping the ancient Scottish traditions alive. This appointment symbolizes the homecoming - a bridge between our Scottish roots and our worldwide family. It is particularly poignant that this honour was bestowed upon the father of our present Grand Master, representing two generations of dedicated service to the Ancient Order of Free Gardeners, an Order first recorded in Scotland in 1676.

In the image, Bro. Gordon Vincent (centre, with Grand Lodge chain and sword) stands alongside the Grand Lodge Deputation in full regalia, wearing the apron of the Grand Lodge.

IN THE EAST REIGNETH - LOVE, WISDOM, HARMONY, PEACE & TRUTH.

A proud moment for the Vincent family and for the Grand Lodge of Scotland A.O.F.G.

A PIECE OF OUR HISTORY: THE TRANSFER OF THE GRAND LODGE

This historic newspaper clipping shows a pivotal moment in the history of the Ancient Order of Free Gardeners.

“The Grand Lodge, Ancient Order of Free Gardeners, Scotland, met in conference at Gayfield Church (formerly Oddfellows’ Hall), Forrest Road, Edinburgh, on Saturday to transfer the Grand Lodge to South Africa after carrying on the craft in Scotland for 107 years. Here (left), Brother Jonathan, Past Master of the Star of Bethlehem Lodge, Clairmount, South Africa, receives the Grand Lodge Charter from Brother R. Balderston, St Andrew’s Lodge, Edinburgh.”

For 107 years, Scotland kept the light alive. When it was time, they entrusted the Charter to our Brothers in South Africa who kept the Scottish tradition alive for the next generation. This is the same tradition we are now fighting to preserve and bring to the Philippines this February 2026.

We are not creating something new. We are continuing a legacy that is more than a century old.