Tour Scotland photographs and videos from my tours of Scotland. Photography and videography, both old and new, from beautiful Scotland, Scottish castles, seascapes, rivers, islands, landscapes, standing stones, lochs and glens.
Old Photograph Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds Kirkcaldy Fife Scotland
Old photograph of a horse and cart and people from the Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. Shepherds Friendly started life as a sickness and benefits society, Ashton Unity, which was formed in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, England, on Christmas Day in 1826. It was later renamed as the Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds, " loyal " referring to the Crown and " shepherds " to the Nativity of Jesus. Its objects were " to relieve the sick, bury the dead, and assist each other in all cases of unavoidable distress, so far as in our power lies, and for the promotion of peace and goodwill towards the human race ". It later spread across the country, organised into local branches; like other friendly societies such as the Oddfellows, these were known as ' lodges ', and officers wore regalia somewhat similar to those of freemasons. By 1914 the membership had grown to 143,000. The Ancient Shepherds raised substantial funds from its members to support charities, presenting two lifeboats to the RNLI in the 1800s, and supported the Red Cross and YMCA in the Second World War.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
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