User:ALR/Royal Order of Scotland

The Royal Order of Scotland is a fraternity derived from freemasonry which is present worldwide and has its headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is commonly perceived as one of the most prestigious orders to belong to, due to the small number of bodies.

Organisation
The Grand Lodge of the Royal Order of Scotland is headquartered in Edinburgh, with Provincial Grand Lodges in several locations around Britain, and in a number of countries around the world. The order claims the King of Scots as hereditary Grand Master. The Deputy Grand Master and Governor of the order is currently Brother The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine. In times like the present in which there is no King of Scots the Deputy Grand Master and Governor is the worldwide leader of the Order.

The ROS Grand Lodge and the Provincial Grand Lodges confer two degrees:
 * Heredom of Kilwinning
 * Knight of the Rosy Cross

Membership
Qualification for membership varies but is typically by invitation, having been a Master Mason for 5 years. Other restrictions may include, but are not restricted to:


 * Active membership of the 18th degree of the Ancient and Accepted Rite and at least one other Christian Order. OR
 * Membership of the Holy Royal Arch and at least one other Christian Order. OR
 * In the United States membership of the Knight Templar Degree in the York Rite, or membership of the 32nd Degree in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.