The Grand Priory of Scotland of the OSMTH/SMOTJ was founded in December of 1972, and re-chartered in September 2008 on the authority of Grand Master Fontes, with HSE Chev Gordon McGregor Comrie duly installed and recognised as the Grand Prior of Scotland and more recently appointed a Magisterial Legate.
For more information on the history of the O.S.M.T.H. and the Grand Priory of Scotland, please follow the "History" link.
The Grand Priory of Scotland forms a component part of the international Order entitled, in Latin, "Ordo Supremus Militaris Templi Heirosolymitani" - or the "Supreme Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem," (also known as "Ordre Souverain et Militaire du Temple de Jerusalem, or, the "Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem - SMOTJ") - which has a growing presence in forty-two different countries and over four thousand members worldwide, and is under the direction of H.S.H. Grand Master and Prince Regent Dom Fernando de Sousa Fontes.
The Order is Chivalric in nature and endeavours to fulfill the following aims & objectives ;
(a) To carry out works of mercy, welfare and charity.
(b) To perpetuate the traditions of Knighthood.
(c) To be a patron of historical, heraldic and genealogical studies concerning the Order, and all Orders of Knighthood connected with the Order.
(d) To support the preservation and restoration of historic buildings and places.
(e) To encourage and promote the creation of hospitals, schools, houses of retreat etc.
We are not ;
(a) Affiliated to or with any political party, we are strictly apolitical.
(b) Masonic or affiliated in any way with with Freemasonry.
(c) Any form of a historical re-enactment society.
Grand Priory
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Bailiewick
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Commanderie
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Preceptory
The Grand Priory of Scotland is managed by the Grand Priory Council - a body of officials appointed by the Grand Prior - who work together to ensure the smooth running of the Grand Priory overall. Although this may seem to be the most influential area of the Grand Priory, the important "hands-on" work of the Order is undertaken at ground level within the Preceptories.
A Preceptory is comprised of a group of up to nine Chivalry gathered together within a close geographical proximity. When numbers increase, so new Preceptories can be formed and when this occurs a Commanderie follows to oversee the smooth running of those Preceptories within it's bounds. Similarly, when numbers of Preceptories reach two or more then a Bailiewick is formed to oversee these combined Commanderies. This process can be repeated within defined individual geographical areas.
There are several Commanderies and Preceptories within Scotland at this time.
