The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
Last weekend the Grand Lodge Deputation who headed from Oban over to the Island of Mull had a truly memorable visit. It started off on the Friday night with an impromptu ceilidh in the Mishnish Hotel which the Brethren enjoyed with all other patrons of the establishment.
The arrangements made for the rededication ceremony on the Saturday were first class and the ceremony itself, in the wake of the perfect arrangements, was carried out without any problems. The celebratory dinner was well worth going to Mull for alone. All speeches were short, sharp and to the point, much to the delight of the assembly.
On Saturday night after all the pomp and ceremony had ended, a busload of us headed to Dervaig where another ceilidh took place. All in all, a tremendous weekend.
SCFS
- The Group saw its membership rise to 7350 Brethren from not only the Scottish Constitution but from many of our Sister Constitutions throughout the world.
- This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 1865, submitted by 523 of its members.
- These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 452 Lodges, from within 59 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
- Thanks is extended to the following Lodges who had posts submitted on their behalf this week.
- Whifflet St. John, No. 963 (Lanarkshire Middle Ward), supporting CHAS.
- Scoon & Perth, No. 3 (Perthshire East), supporting Perth Autism Support.
- Ben Ledi, No. 614 (Perthshire West), Supporting The Ripple Retreat.
- Widows Sons Scotland, West Chapter, supporting Marcus Humphrey House.
- Maryhill, No. 510 (Glasgow), supporting Homeless Veterans Project.
- Averon, No. 866 (Ross & Cromarty), supporting a young girl with leukemia.
- Glammis, No. 99 (Forfarshire), supporting PGL Zipslide Event Fund.
- Widows Sons Scotland, North Chapter, supporting Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.
- Widows Sons Scotland, East Chapter, supporting Poppy Scotland.
- Fleur De Lys, No. 1722 (Lanarkshire Middle Ward), supporting PGL Christmas Box Appeal.
- Kelso & Tweed, No. 58 (The Scottish Borders), supporting Get George Moving.
- Lord Bruce, No. 1601, Linlithgowshire reigning Masters (Linlithgowshire), supporting The Beatlie Centre.
- GLoS, PGL Forfarshire, SGRAC, supporting Brechin Flood Relief Fund.
On 1 November, we celebrated SCFS being in existence for three and a half years, during which time many interesting posts have been published about the wonderful support given by our Overseas Brethren. There has also been a steady increase in members and activity on the page by them during this period.
- This week we welcomed a number of new members from Lodges overseas. This regular increase in Overseas Members demonstrates the feeling of inclusiveness which is often commented upon. Particular mention must be made to Brethren joining fromLodge Fort Jameson, No. 1462 andLodge St. Andrew, No. 701 (both KwaZulu Natal), and Lodge St. John, No. 1072 (Bangkok, Middle East). The support of the new members who have joined is greatly appreciated and I’m sure that these new members will follow the very many Brethren who support the page by “Liking” and commenting positively on the published posts.
- Brethren from other Masonic constitutions (ICMs) were similarly welcomed. These Brethren help spread news of the wonderful support featured in the post on SCFS to a worldwide audience. This week, Brethren joined from Lodges under, for example, UGLE (KwaZulu Natal), and the United Grand Lodges of Germany.
I am currently in Malta visiting Lodge St Andrew with Past DGM, Brother Thomas C Smith. We have a busy but interesting agenda liaising with other Constitutions to take Scottish Freemasonry forward on the Island in a positive and useful manner.
Looking forward to being in Bellshill on Saturday to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lodge Woodhall St john No 305.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason