Further to my Update this morning, the following general advice has now been released from the Government which answers the question about allowing non-Masonic bodies to use Lodge premises. As can be seen below, this cannot now happen given the 6-person limit that becomes law from Monday. There is no likelihood of that being lifted soon albeit it will be reviewed on 5^th October. The reference to public spaces would include Lodge premises where non-Masonic groups meet.

The following excerpt from the Government release states -

This deteriorating situation at home and abroad means that we have to take a very cautious approach to the further easing of restrictions. As set out below, we now need to delay further changes until it is safe to make them. We also need to make some changes that will reduce opportunities for the virus to spread. We have already put a range of extra measures in place to help keep the virus suppressed, our Test & Protect system and outbreak management approach have worked well, and we are today introducing our proximity app, Protect Scotland, which will support our Test and Protect system, but more measures are now required.

At this review point we will take the following steps to further reduce transmission of the virus: The limit on the number of people who can meet socially indoors or outdoors will be reduced to a maximum of six people, and they should come from no more than two households. This applies in people's homes and gardens as well as in hospitality and public spaces such as parks. It is not required to count children under 12, from within the two households, within the 6-person limit. The regulations and guidance will be updated to reflect these changes.

• Face coverings will be mandated for customers and staff in indoor hospitality. There will be an exemption for when customers are eating and drinking. Staff in non-public facing roles, such as kitchen staff, will also be exempt where face coverings may present health and safety issues due to the nature of roles. Exemptions for vulnerable groups/individuals will also apply to hospitality settings. Regulations will the take effect on Monday 14 September.

Given the developing status of the epidemic - both in Scotland and internationally - we will also continue to take a cautious approach to any further opening up of economic or social activity.

As was noted at the 20th August review when setting the 14th September indicative date. It must be stressed that this indicative date is conditional on continued progress in suppressing the virus.

If the epidemic in Scotland deteriorates before this date, then the expectation must be that the date will be delayed.

Consistent with this, given the deterioration in the status of the epidemic over the past three weeks, those changes that were previously given an indicative date of 14 September will now be assigned a new indicative date of 5 October.

The full release is available at -

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-phase-3-scotlands-route-map-update-10th-september-2020/  

Could I also suggest that you give some consideration to using the new proximity app on your phones – it is easy to download by going into the App Store on your phone and searching for – Protect Scotland – thereafter follow the instructions. Many thanks.

Kindest regards

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason

 

 

During the past week, Grand Almoner and I had a very productive meeting with Brother Jean-Pierre Rollet, Grand Master of the Grande Loge Nationale Française and Brother Michael D. Nicholas, Sr., Grand Master of the District of Columbia. They along with the Grand Lodge of Scotland are the three Regular Grand Lodges with a presence in Lebanon. We met to discuss how we can best collectively assist after the disaster that has befallen Lebanon or Beirut in particular. We made good progress and set each other a number of tasks and we will be meeting next week again when we will hopefully be able to bring the plans to fruition.

In Grand Lodge work continues to remove the asbestos from the basement areas of the building. We have also signed a contract to bring fibre optic cabling into the building to enable us to bring our IT systems into the 21^st century. It will also give us reliable wi-fi throughout the building. It is good to be able to get this work carried out during this time so that we will have the systems working when we open up again.

Still on IT, we have made good progress with the Grand Lodge Database. Most of the wish list drawn up by the Lodge Secretaries has been implemented and we now look to bringing the Lodges in the Districts onto the system over the next few weeks.

Latest news from the Scottish Constitution Freemasonry Supports Facebook page is as follows –

 

	Last week	This week
Members	3387	3458
Posts	400	415
No of Members posting	191	194
Lodges mentioned	221	224
Provinces mentioned	30	30
Districts & Lodges abroad	14	14
Monetary Value	£294,466	£304,963

 

SCFS Overseas Report

• We had 23 Overseas Brethren recorded this week, bringing our Overseas Membership of the SCFS Group to 
• It is anticipated that the 900th. Overseas Member will be welcomed into the SCFS group this coming week ... details in next week’s Update.
• It is heartening to note that, once again, we had an expansive geographical spread of new members this week ...  from The Bahamas, Central South Africa, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritius, Middle East, Peru, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada, Western Australia, Zambia.
• The largest increase in membership was seen from the District of Central South Africa (thanks to Lodges in the Orange Free State and Country Lodges area) and from the District of Western Australia (with a notable number from Lodge Balmoral, No. 896)
• An interesting post was received from Brother Rinus Grau, District Grand Secretary of Zimbabwe, which highlighted the support which our Brethren in Zimbabwe are providing for the safety of all in the Masonic Homesin Harare
• We look forward to receiving posts from other Overseas Lodges and Districts ... sharing the support which they are providing. 

As of yesterday, 161 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Scotland – our Brethren and their families in a number of areas are under lockdown procedures and family meetings are again under strict guidelines. Despite the fact that things are not improving, I am still getting questions about opening Lodges and Lodge premises. Let me once again try and make it as plain as I can that, first of all, the Heads of all Orders in Scotland have taken a joint decision, based on the fact that the health and well being of our members is paramount, that there will be no meetings of any of the Orders before January 2021 when the situation will be reviewed.

With regard to allowing non-Masonic organisations back into our premises, I have written to the Government twice and have asked that specific question, but I have not received a response from them. I will write again but for the time being, the advice is that (licensed clubs excepted) we keep our premises closed.

I hope and trust that this finds you all keeping safe and well and looking out for each other.

Kindest regards

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason

 

 

The joy of knowing that our two Masonic Homes have remained Covid-19 free thanks to the commitment and professionalism of the Homes Managers and their staff was tinged with sadness this week when we learned that the Marcus Humphrey Home in Bridge of Weir was the target of mindless vandals who, for reasons best known to themselves, decided to smash the garden ornaments and flower pots which give so much pleasure to our residents. Police Scotland have been informed and have issued a reference number in respect of the vandalism but as far as I understand will not make any enquiry. However, the good news is that Brethren and Lodges from far and wide have responded magnificently. My sincere thanks to you all for your kindness and generosity – I can assure you that the staff and residents greatly appreciate the response.

I was recently sent an article regarding prostate cancer testing for men which is taking place in Lodges in Wales. I copied the article to Grand Almoner and to Brother Marcus Humphrey, Chair of the Benevolence and Care Committee who has reminded me that now would be a good time to reiterate the availability in Scotland of a PSA test from their General Practitioner free of charge and the willingness of Adam Gaines from Prostate Cancer Scotland to speak to any forum about it. I’m sure Adam would be an ideal speaker on some of the Zoom platforms organised by our Lodges at home and abroad – this affects men throughout the world and I have no doubt that Adam’s advice would prove valuable irrespective of where you are in the world. One aspect that Adam frequently mentions is that an important part of the process is the relationship between the man and his GP and the requirement for the GP to properly assess and prepare the patient, talk through the potential results of the test (whether positive or negative), available support and the psychological effects on the man. This is based on Adam’s often repeated statement that more men die with prostate disease rather than die of prostate disease. While we have been and continue to be concentrating on Covid-19, let us not forget that advice. Prostate Cancer, like Covid-19, has not disappeared – it is still very much an issue for all men in our Provinces and Districts.

Latest news from the Scottish Constitution Freemasonry Supports Facebook page is as follows –

 

	Last week	This week
Members	3332	3387
Posts	386	400
No of Members posting	186	191
Lodges mentioned	218	221
Provinces mentioned	29	30
Districts & Lodges abroad	13	14
Monetary Value	£287,661	£294,466

 

SCFS Overseas Report

• We had 26 Overseas Brethren recorded this week, bringing our Overseas Membership of the SCFS Group to 866.
• We had an expansive geographical spread of new members this week ... from The Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Central South Africa, Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, Fiji, Jordan, Lebanon, Kwazulu Natal, Middle East, Namibia, New Zealand South, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada, Western Australia Goldfields District.
• The largest increase was seen from Fijithrough a Lodge under the Supervision of Grand Lodge ... Lodge Polynesia, No. 562. 
• The first posts from Fiji were also published on the page.
• The attraction to become part of the SCFS membership was exemplified by our first member to join by providing the required Masonic details via a voice message whilst driving (safely) home from work. Well done, Brother Dennis Flor Cruz, Lodge Cargill Kilwinning, No. 632, in New Zealand South. 

The support of the SCFS Group continues to be extended to our Brethren in the District of Lebanon. Those Brethren, and their loved ones, remain in all of our prayers.

(Details of the online contribution page, incorporating a link to facilitate donations, have been published.)

Brethren, as I compile this update, I’m listening to the morning news on Radio Scotland and the news is not good. Following an increase in the number of coronavirus cases in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire, additional restrictions will be introduced for people living in these areas for an initial two-week period. We have another spike in the Highlands in Grantown on Spey. Many of our Districts are still very much affected by the virus and we are seeing an increase in travel restrictions. This virus is still very much in our midst - please stay alert, look after yourselves, your families and the Brethren who are in any of the vulnerable categories.

Finally, I am repeatedly asked if I have had any response to my letters to the Scottish Government – the answer is no. Given that the Heads of Orders have agreed that no meetings will take place this year, the first part of the letter regarding the opening of Lodges is no longer urgent but I will continue to chase up the second issue – the need for definitive guidance for many of our Lodge buildings throughout the country that are effectively community hubs housing a vast array of non-Masonic organisations. 

 

Kindest regards

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason

 

 

It’s hard to believe that this is the 31^st weekly update. It has been a difficult and at times frustrating six months for us all but how heartening it has been to learn week on week about the tremendous amount of good works being carried out by Scottish Freemasons here at home and in all our Lodges scattered over more than 40 countries world-wide. The effort of Brethren in so many communities has done much to promote all that is good in Freemasonry and I thank you all in the sincerest of terms for all that you have done, for all that you are doing and, there is no doubt, that we’ll need to keep doing in the weeks and months ahead. As we enter September I appeal to you all to keep the flame of Masonry burning brightly by continuing your Zoom meetings, your lecture nights, your quiz nights and all the other initiatives that have materialised over the months. Please make a special effort to contact those who have no way of accessing zoom, email or any other platform – just a wee two-minute phone call to those on their own will make a world of difference to them. We will get back to our meetings and we all look forward to that albeit for those of us in Scotland, that’s going to be a wee while yet. I was speaking to Brother Kalpesh Shah in Nairobi last night and he tells me that subject to Government approval, they hope to have an outdoor meeting in the expansive grounds of Lodge Mount Longonot in Naivasha during September – another excellent initiative to keep that flame burning. I’d be delighted to hear of any other initiatives taking place.

On Saturday 5^th September we will be holding our first ever joint PGM / DGM meeting. Full details will be circulated to all PGM’s and DGM’s next week.

Latest news from the Scottish Constitution Freemasonry Supports Facebook page is as follows –

 

	Last week	This week
Members	3278	3332
Posts	371	386
No of Members posting	179	186
Lodges mentioned	209	218
Provinces mentioned	29	29
Districts & Lodges abroad	12	13
Monetary Value	£268,733	£287,661

 

SCFS Overseas Report

• We had 30 Overseas Brethrenrecorded this week, bringing our Overseas Membership of the SCFS Group to 
• We had new members from Barbados, Central South Africa, Lebanon, Malta, Mauritius, Middle East, Namibia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, Togo, Western Australia.
• The largest increase was seen from the District ofNamibia (Brethren joined from 4/5 of the Lodges ... Lodge Dunedin Star, Lodge Zun Kreuz des Sudens, Lodge Benguela and Lodge Zur Hoffnung) and Togo(Lodge of Togo)
• Now that all District Grand Lodges, Lodges under Grand Superintendents and Lodges under the Supervision of Grand Lodge are represented in the SCFS Group, the SCFS Team looks forward to receiving a large and wide variety of posts showing the excellent support which is undoubtedly being provided by our Overseas Brethren.
• The SCFS Team has introduced a series of ‘Spotlight Videos’ which will concentrate on posts which have appeared on the group page, fall within a particular category and have a common theme or connection, beginning this week with a video entitled, "Spotlight on the District Grand Lodges.”

The support of the SCFS Group continues to be extended to our Brethren in the District of Lebanon. Those Brethren, and their loved ones, remain in all of our prayers.

(Details of the online contribution page, incorporating a link to facilitate donations, have been published.)

 I am delighted to report that Brother William Semple will commence duty as our new Grand Secretary on Monday 14^th September 2020. I look forward to working with Brother Semple and I’m sure that you would wish me to convey the best wishes of all Brethren as he takes up his new post.

Brethren, in the figures published by the Scottish Government yesterday, 68 new cases of Covid-19 were reported and, as I reported last week, the numbers have been rising at an alarming rate in many of our District Grand Lodges. This virus is still very much in our midst - please stay alert, look after yourselves, your families and the Brethren who are in any of the vulnerable categories.

 

Kindest regards

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason

 

 

While we won’t be having any meetings soon, I’m delighted to tell you that we had an outdoor sports event last Sunday. The Grand Lodge of Scotland Clay Shooting Championship was held at the National Shooting Centre with 22 guns participating. I was impressed by the organisation and the adherence to all the social distancing protocols. Congratulations to the winner, Brother Iain Cochrane from Lodge the Bruce No 593 and the runner up, Brother Stephen Cochrane, Lodge of Glammis No 99.

Latest news from the Scottish Constitution Freemasonry Supports Facebook page is as follows –

	Last week	This week
Members	3214	3278
Posts	364	371
No of Members posting	178	179
Lodges mentioned	207	209
Provinces mentioned	29	29
Districts & Lodges abroad	12	12
Monetary Value	£262,766	£268,733

 

The seven days under report has once again seen an extremely encouraging increase in the number of Overseas Brethren who have become members of the SCFS Group. In addition to Brethren independently joining via the published link, a number of existing Members have been extremely proactive in extending invitations to fellow Brethren and following these through. Their support is greatly appreciated. Significant Membership milestones have been reached.

• We welcomed our first Member from Guyana... from Lodge Irenaeus, No. 1791. This means that every District Grand Lodge under the Scottish Constitution is now represented in the SCFS Group.
• From the Overseas Lodges under the Supervision of Grand Lodge, we welcomed our first member from Togo(Lodge of Togo, No. 1677). We also welcomed our first members from West Indies Islands(Lodge Mount Olive, No. 336) and Malta (Lodge St. Andrew, No. 966). This means that all geographical areas with Lodges under Grand Superintendents or under the Supervision of Grand Lodge are now represented in the SCFS Group.
• Congratulations is extended to Brother Remond Safifrom Lodge Trinity, No. 1846, in Lebanon, who was invited by Brother Dany Hajjar, Lodge Al Mizab, No. 1130, Lebanon, and is our  Overseas Member.
• We had 50 Overseas Brethrenjoin this week, bringing our Overseas Membership of the SCFS Group to 
• We had new members from Bahamas, Bermuda, Central South Africa, East Africa, Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, Far East, Guyana, Jamaica, Jordan, Lebanon, Kwazuku Natal, Malta, Mauritius, Middle East, Newfoundland and Labrador, North Island New Zealand, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada, Western Australia, West Indies Islands.
• The largest increase was seen in the Districts ofLebanon (19) andJordan (6)

The support of the SCFS Group continues to be extended to our Brethren in the District of Lebanon and details of an online contribution page will soon be published. Those Brethren, and their loved ones, remain in all of our prayers.

Although there has been wide-spread agreement with only a few dissenting voices about having no meetings this year, there is, understandably, much confusion about opening Lodge Social Clubs. Given that there are so many individual scenarios, it is difficult to clarify the situation with a one size fits all explanation. Basically, Lodge Social Clubs are “Licensed Premises” in terms of the 2005 Licensing (Scotland) Act and are entitled to open provided they adhere to all the licensing conditions. However, some clubs meet in Lodge premises where the management committee have determined that the building is not opening given the stringent conditions they have to meet. If that is the case, then the club cannot open. If you have any doubts about the situation facing your own Lodge/Club let me know and I’ll do what I can to clarify matters for you – that apart, let common sense prevail and adhere to the guidelines.

The historian Hugh Sebag-Montefiore is writing a book about the Arctic convoys of WW2. I have attached his appeal for information and would urge any Brethren who can proffer any information to do so.

‘Historian Hugh Sebag-Montefiore who is writing a book about the Arctic convoys of WW2, commissioned by the British publisher Harper Collins, would like to find out if any of our members know of any:

 1. living veterans who participated in the Arctic convoys, or their relatives in case these relatives hold the veterans' memoirs.

 2. detailed written or recorded personal accounts of what was witnessed by the participants during these convoys, or in Russia when the convoys reached Murmansk and Archangel.

 3. relevant photos or little-known books

 4. associations, groups, clubs or local archives that he might have missed.

He stresses that he is only using personal accounts written or recorded by a witness. And he is only using accounts which describe battles or attacks by the Germans which resulted in ships being badly damaged or sunk, rescued, attacking German ships/aircraft or accounts of what happened in Murmansk and Archangel, and the surrounding ports, when the convoy crews landed there.

If anyone in your organisation thinks they can help, please email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; they should only ring 44-20-7-435-1035 if Hugh has not replied to an email within 48 hours, or if they don't use email.

The Grand Lodge of Scotland Autumn golf outing was due to take place at Auchterarder Golf Club at the beginning of September. Due to the current situation with Covid, the competition has been postponed. However, planning is well underway regarding the competitions in 2021 and the ‘golfers’ will be notified of the future dates and venues soon.  

We have had several enquiries about the 2000 Club, and this was discussed on Wednesday when the Benevolence and Care Committee met by Zoom video conference. So that we can complete the 3 draws for the current year, the final draw, which was missed in June, will be held at the first possible opportunity.   We appreciate that many payments for the coming year have already been made, therefore, going forward, we hope to issue the membership letters shortly which, unfortunately couldn’t be sent earlier due to the lockdown restrictions and the furlough of most Staff in Freemasons’ Hall.   We shall then programme in the 3 draws (due in October 2020, February 2021 and June 2021) as near to timetable as possible.   The Committee thanks you for your patience and understanding and trusts that you will continue to support this fund-raising initiative.

The total funding given to Prostate Scotland by Scottish Freemasons now stands at £583,000

Brethren, in the figures published by the Scottish Government at the beginning of the week, 26 new cases of Covid-19 were reported. In many of our District Grand Lodges the numbers have been rising at an alarming rate. This virus is still very much in our midst - please stay alert, look after yourselves, your families and the Brethren who are in any of the vulnerable categories.

Kindest regards

Grand Master Mason

On Monday morning, 10th August, a meeting of the Heads of Orders took place to discuss a united approach to reopening Lodge buildings and the commencement of meetings in all Orders. It has been unanimously agreed that no meetings will take place in Scotland during the remainder of this year and that the position will be reviewed early in January 2021. The position of Lodges abroad remains as it was – Lodges can open in accordance with the Laws and Guidelines of their respective countries. 

Should matters change significantly in the interim period all Lodges will be notified

I would be obliged if Lodge secretaries could assist in ensuring this Update is circulated as widely as possible among Brethren in all Orders.

Over the past week, while there has been much support for the above decision, I have been asked if Lodge buildings can be used for other purposes. In my correspondence with the Scottish Government, I have made the point that many of our Lodge buildings are community hubs and used by various groups, Masonic and non-Masonic and have asked for guidance on the use of the buildings – to date I have had no response. 

Latest news from the Scottish Constitution Freemasonry Supports Facebook page is as follows –

undefined 

	Last week	This week
Members	3127	3214
Posts	358	364
No of Members posting	177	178
Lodges mentioned	204	207
Provinces mentioned	29	29
Districts & Lodges abroad	12	12
Monetary Value	£258,230	£262,766

 

There is a small video on the Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lothian Facebook page highlighting what we have been up to on the charitable front during the current crisis. The SCFS video moving forward will be in a similar format.

SCFS Overseas Report

A number of firm relationships are being established between our Overseas Districts/Lodges/Brethren and the SCFS Group which is proving to be of significant mutual benefit. Overseas support continues to strengthen week upon week, evidenced by recent memberships of Brethren from Lodges and a District which, hitherto, had no representation within the Group. 

• We had 51 Overseas Brethren join this week, bringing our Overseas Membership of the SCFS Group to 760. It will be interesting to see which Lodge the 800th. member will be from.

• We had new members join from Bahamas, Belgium, Central South Africa, Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, Far East, India, Jamaica, Lebanon, Malawi, Middle East, North Island New Zealand, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, Western Australia, Western Australia Goldfield District

• The largest increase was seen in the Districts of Lebanon (10) and Sierra Leone and The Gambia (9).

• We welcomed our first Members from the Western Australia Goldfields District with Brethren joining from Lodge Golden Feather, No. 855, and Lodge Sir William Wallace, No. 868. 

• One of our newest Overseas Lodges ... Lodge Al Arz, No. 1853, (6th. February, 2020), now has representation in the Group.

• The District of the Far East has joined the District of the Middle East in the 100+ Overseas Members Club ... well done.

• The SCFS Group received recognition in an article in “The Cable Tow” which is the official publication of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines.

• We would strongly encourage our Overseas Members to summit posts sharing the excellent aid which is undoubtedly being provided by them. 

• The support of the SCFS Group continues to be extended to our Brethren in the District of Lebanon and details of an online contribution page will soon be published. Those Brethren, and their loved ones, remain in all of our prayers. 

The Grand Lodge of Scotland Clay Shooting Championship will be held this Sunday,16th August, at the National Shooting Centre. I have been assured that every possible safety precaution has been put in place but would remind all those taking part that they have a personal duty to adhere to all the Covid-19 guidelines. While the organisers are confident that this local competition can take place safely, they have decided to postpone the Second International Clay Shooting Championship due to be held at the National Shooting Centre on Saturday 3rd October. This decision is regretted but is fully in line with recent decisions taken elsewhere regarding International shooting competitions in Scotland in 2020.

I am delighted to announce that Grand Committee has agreed to extend the exemption from Law 126 for a further year until February 2022.

Brethren, please stay alert, look after yourselves, your families and the Brethren who are in any of the vulnerable categories.

Kindest regards

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason