During my schooldays in Malta I learned about the Knights of St John and later in life was taught first aid by the St John’s Ambulance Association. By one of life’s coincidences work took me to Scotland to live half a dozen miles from the castle like Torphichen Preceptory, the Knights’ headquarters in Scotland, built in the 12th century.

Torphichen, 32 kilometres west of Edinburgh, is a quietscenic village in the Bathgate Hills where the preceptory, in the care of Historic Scotland, can be enjoyed in the tranquillity that befits its monastic origins. If visiting, do check their website for its opening hours.

The Order of St John Scotland holds its annual service of commemoration at the preceptory in August. The historic setting and the Knights wearing their Maltese cross regalia make it an impressive occasion.

If touring Scotland, St John’s Town of Dalry in north Ayrshire, now known as Dalry, takes its name from the Knights. Their base there supported medieval pilgrims en route from Edinburgh to the priory at Whithorn and shrine of St Ninian. Little or nothing remains in Dalry from those days but Whithorn has the priory ruins on the site of the shrine and a museum with the largest collection of early medieval carved stones in Scotland. The ruined Temple Kirk at Temple, Midlothian is another remnant of the medieval presence of the Knights in Scotland.

The humanitarian work done by the Knights and their derivative organisations is ever more needed given the turmoil in today’s world. Malta can take great pride in the built and cultural heritage of the Knights, its part over the past five centuries and present day commitments.