Official Website of the County Grand Lodge of Glasgow

What is the Orange Order? The Orange Order, or Loyal Orange Institution, was founded in 1795 and takes its name from William, Prince of Orange. It is a Protestant fraternity, which also exists in nine countries of the world - England, Ireland, Canada, the United Slates of America, Australia, New Zealand, Ghana and Togo in West Africa and with one of the largest membership, here in Scotland.

What do we do as well as parade? As well as parading with bands our lodges hold monthly meetings. When an Orange Lodge is convened anywhere in the world, a Bible is placed on the dais in the centre of the proceedings. This reflects the Order’s commitment to the spiritual and moral teachings contained within the Holy Scriptures.

We organise cultural events, take part in community and civic occasions and raise much needed funds for all kinds of charities. In fact where there is an Orange Lodge there most certainly will be fund raising activities. We also have our own charitable status in the form of the Scottish Orange Home Fund that caters for our own senior members and those members and their families in need of some respite.

Why are we celebrating today?

The victory of William III (Prince of Orange) over James II at the Boyne in July 1690 resulted in parliamentary democracy (for all) in the British Isles. As such we can trace our modern constitutional democracy to the Banks of the Boyne. From the victory at the Boyne we can all enjoy the freedoms of religious and civil liberties.

Where do we meet? Lodges meet in Orange Halls across Scotland - there are quite a few hundred with the majority in big cities and towns. However there are many lodges that reside in rural areas and utilise community facilities. Glasgow in particular has a plethora of halls whose facilities are utilised by local communities etc