The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
The past week has been a mixture of happiness and sadness. Last Saturday I travelled east to Peterculter where we all enjoyed the belated Centenary celebrations of Lodge Leuchar. It was a most enjoyable day both in the Lodge and at the Dinner which followed. My thanks to all the Brethren in Peterculter.
Yesterday was a sad day as we gathered in The Lodge of Dunblane No 9 for a Lodge of Sorrow in respect of Past Provincial Grand Master of Perthshire West, John Scott Brockie. Thereafter we joined with a large congregation in Dunblane Cathedral for the funeral service. John would be known to many of you as his commitment to Freemasonry saw him travel extensively throughout Scotland and beyond.
This weekend will be a busy one. Tomorrow, Saturday 8th, I will have the privilege of heading a Grand Lodge Deputation to Lodge St James No 123 in Brechin to celebrate, again belatedly, their 250th Anniversary. We’re all looking forward to the occasion.
On Sunday afternoon at 14.00 we have the first of the new series of lectures organised by the History and Heritage Group. The first lecture – Scottish Freemasonry in Mauritius – will be presented by Brother Gerard Jean-Regis Basile Fanchette and I commend it to you. Information on how to access the lecture can be found on the Grand Lodge Facebook page.
At 15.00 on Sunday afternoon, I will be hosting a zoom meeting of all Proxy District Grand Masters and I’m looking forward to our discussions.
SCFS
SCFS Overseas Report .
Our membership of brethren from Lodges located outside Scotland continues to grow. Reference this week must be made to Lodge Nigel, No. 847, in the district of Central South Africa, for adding to this total.
**We would encourage our Overseas Lodges and Districts to continue sharing news of their excellent support of others and look forward to publishing further posts from them.**
The Committee who are working on the Conference are certainly stepping up the pressure – only eight weeks to go to what is going to be a tremendous week of Masonic learning, discussion, interaction, socialising as well as cementing old friendships and making new ones. The programme is almost complete and will provide a very fitting run up to the Grand Lodge Installation and Festival of St Andrew on Thursday 24th November.
Day tickets for the Conference are now available and,separately, tickets for the Installation and Festival of St Andrew are now available from Grand Lodge. This will be a unique week in Scottish Freemasonry – one that I commend to all of you. If you don’t have your tickets yet – don’t delay – they are selling fast.
An additional item on the Monday agenda will be the Installation of Brother Christopher M Wong as District Grand Master of the Far East. This will take place in Grand Lodge on the Monday evening and a warm invitation is extended to Brethren to attend. This will bring Grand Lodge fully up to date with all Provincial and District Installations – my sincere thanks to Grand Secretary and Grand Lodge staff for managing to engineer three years into one year.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason