The Kirkwall Scroll
On the west wall of the temple of Lodge Kirkwall Kilwinning No. 38(2) in Orkney hangs one of the oldest and most important Masonic artefacts in the world. Known as The Kirkwall Scroll, it is made of three pieces of strong linen (some suggest sailcloth) sewn together and hand-painted throughout. The complete hanging cloth is eighteen feet six inches long and five feet six inches wide. It consists of a centre strip which contains around one hundred Masonic symbols, and two outer strips which appear to be maps. The two outside strips appear to have come from the same piece of material and may well have been joined at one time.

The Brethren of Lodge Kirkwall Kilwinning take excellent care of this ancient document. It is kept high on the west wall of the temple, protected from direct sunlight within the darkness of the temple and access to it guarded from casual visitors, except by prior appointment.

The symbols up the centre strip seem to show the means of progression of the initiate from the degree of entered apprentice through to the rank of Sovereign Grand Inspector General. The scroll as it is presently displayed could be used a tracing board for the degrees Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite by simply unrolling the relevent section for each degree.
Many of inscriptions on the scroll are written in a Masonic code, which used form part of the secrets of the thirteenth degree of Master of the Ninth Arch, or The Royal Arch of Enoch. This Masonic Cypher is known as the Enochian Alphabet. On the second tabloid upwards, an altar is shown standing on a black and white pavement.On the pavement lies the triangular apron of a Deputy Grand Master of the Lodge of Perfection. The part of the inscription on the Altar reads:

I AM hath sent me unto you. I AM THAT I AM.
I am the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.
I AM that I AM or I WILL BE that I WILL BE.

This is a clear reference to the 18th degree of the A&A known as Knight of the Rose Croix.
Two tabloids higher there is a diagram of the Lodge layout for the reception of a Grand Inspector Inquisitor General, modeled on the description of Solomon's temple found in the bible.
The Lodge describes the scroll as "Our first treasure of antiquity." and long may the Lodge continue to keep this fascinating document in its careful and loving care.