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Societies with Secrets

billy kay

Societies with Secrets: Episode 1: The Word and Grip

Factual: History

Episode 1

Episode 1: The Word and Grip

The Word and Grip

BBC Radio Scotland - Societies with Secrets, The Word and Grip

Billy Kay explores the often-secret world of Scotland's fraternal organisations.

Billy Kay explores the often-secret world of Scotland's fraternal organisations, from the Hammermen and the Horseman's Word to the Squaremen and the Beggar's Benison.

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Billy Kay celebrates convivial clubs like the Crochallan Fencibles and the Cape, masonic degrees like the Realm of Zion and the Sangreal, ethnic fraternities like the Scottish Brotherhoods in Poland, secret nests of Jacobite exiles in the most illustrious Order del Toboso, exclusive associations based on occupations like the Horseman's Word and the Free Gardeners, and ancient incorporations like the Baxters and Bonnetmakers which survive and thrive in our major cities today.

In the first programme we look at how Scotland' ancient trades incorporations developed from closed, self help fraternities into organised societies which still flourish - Billy attends Hammermen and Bonnetmakers initiations in Dundee, where the history of the Nine Trades is carved in stone in the city's ancient Howff Cemetery. We hear how many societies copied the operative Stonemasons Lodge system which developed into the speculative Freemasonry, which began in Scotland and took off round the world with its heady mix of morality and mysticism, charity and conviviality.

We visit Ayr Shed No 2 of The Corporation o' Squaremen e.g. an order linked to Freemasonry, but with its own history going back to the 17th century. They raise money for charity and have a lot of fun in the process. They also use Scots in all their communication, so Billy enjoyed speaking to fellow Ayrshiremen in the mither tongue. We also visit the north east to explore the ritual of The Horseman's Word, which arose in the era of working horses in the fermtouns there, and was a means of passing on the skills, cures and mysteries associated with horse whispering, as well as providing social bonding through initiations where whisky played a central role.

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