Kilted Masonic Protocal

[Fat Irish]

I know several members here are also Masons. I am a member of Austin Lodge #12 AF&AM. I want to wear my kilt to lodge, but I'm unsure about my apron over the sporran. Obviously my sporran would not be worn over the apron, but conversely, a strange buldge under my apron would look poor. I could take my sporran off while lodge is tiled, but that's the only solution I've come up with. What say you?

[Father Bill]

Recognizing that the norms vary from Grand Lodge to Grand Lodge, there are nonetheless everal options: bring the sporran to the hip, wear it over or under anyway (over is generally conceded to be wrong) or leave it in the anteroom. Some GLs prefer that you only wear the kilt under specific circumstances. Watch for your local protocol.

R. W. Bro. Bill White,
Past Grand Chaplain,
Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario

[janderson]

My gut reaction is to inquire at Lodge if any of the other Brothers have experience. It may save you some odd looks or questions if there is a president already set within your Lodge's members.

On the other hand, I would tend towards removing the sporran while the Lodge is tiled. Proper reverence for the business being done is often helped when one looks like they mean business.

I'll ask a few kilt wearing Mason's their thoughts tonight if I get the chance. I'm on my way to a convention for the Ohio Grotto Association right now and I know at least 5 or 6 of the guys there wear kilts regularly.

[Chas]

Another little advantage of wearing a sporran strap and not chains. It only takes 0.1 seconds to slide it onto your left hip. Look at all the pipeband drummers.

Regards

Chas

[McClef]

There has been a discussion on the Kilted Masons group on X Marks about wearing kilts in Lodge and the result from those that contributed was that not many do due to Lodge clothing protocols..

I have only been so far kilted at a LOI and wore the Apron over the sporran without any problem at all.

[Peter Crowe]

I haven't worn my kilt to a stated communication of my Lodge or to an LOI, but I would lean towards leaving the sporran off in an ante-room whilst within a Tiled Lodge. I tried my apron (UGLE pattern MM but compliant with GLMA Constitutions) on in the privacy of my bedroom the last time I was in kilt day-wear and found I could wear the apron over my tweed argyle jacket, however, it felt odd. No way I could do so with my PC.

[Tin Whistler]

I just shift my sporran to my Left hip (I'm Left Handed), and wear my Apron as normal. I had seen others do this before in Lodge and went with what they did. There have been times when Piping at "Open" events I don't wear an Apron, and show my Horsehair sporran in it's full glory. As others have stated Jurisdiction may dictate otherwise, but in my locale I've only received compliments.

[Frank McGrath]

I have worn my kilt not only to stated communications, but also to Grand Lodge functions. I always wear my apron over the sporran. I wear my argyll to MM lodge and my PC to Grand lodge. Without a belt, it is easier to wear the sporran and the apron. The last time I wore my kilt to grand lodge, I was asked If I was a Highlander (Shriner Pipe Band). Some people ask me where I am from. I tell them Born and raised in the Great state of Maryland. Really set a lot of people back. Then I say, Its more comfortable than p@#$s.

[flyrod6057]

Ask your WM what he thinks. Also, your state's Grand Lodge will likely have something to say about kilts in meetings, or at least the proper wear of the apron. For example, my state requires he apron worn UNDER a coat, yet some states require it worn OVER a coat. Not sure what the protocol for a sporran is; I wore my apron over mine.

When in doubt, ask the WM. It's HIS lodge...

[Fat Irish]

Frank, I am a Highlander in the Ben Hur Shrine. Kilted is obviously not an issue with them, but we wear no aprons, as I'm sure you know.