The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren
Once again, we face further lockdowns and restrictions here in Scotland. The licensed trade sector is in a perilous position and that includes many of our Masonic Clubs. Provided clubs meet the fairly stringent conditions they can apply for assistance through the Coronavirus Restrictions Fund. Full details can be found at - https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/service/funding/coronavirus-restrictions-fund - but please note that this relates only to licenced premises and that application is made to your local council. Applications will close on Tuesday 3 November at 5pm.
A number of Brethren have asked recently about the tax situation with regard to those Lodges who were successful in obtaining the £10k grant. There is still some dubiety about the position, but we are pursuing the issue with HMRC and I hope to be able to give you a definitive response soon.
Latest news from the Scottish Constitution Freemasonry Supports Facebook page is as follows –
| Last week | This week | |
| Members | 3770 | 3846 |
| Posts | 454 | 456 |
| No of Members posting | 203 | 203 |
| Lodges mentioned | 239 | 239 |
| Provinces mentioned | 31 | 31 |
| Districts & Lodges abroad | 15 | 15 |
| Monetary Value | £338,564 | £339,114 |
SCFS Overseas Report
We welcomed 32 Overseas Brethren this week.
Our Overseas Membership is now standing at 1114 Members.
Congratulations is extended to Brother Pédro Turnquest, Secretary, Lodge San Andreas, No. 1835, The Bahamas, who is our 1100th. Overseas Member.
The geographical spread of Overseas Members this week saw Brethren being welcomed from ... The Bahamas, Central South Africa, Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, Gibraltar, India, Jamaica, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Lebanon, Middle East, Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada, Western Australia.
The largest increase in membership was from the District of The Bahamas with a very impressive spread of new members from more than half of the Lodges in that District ... Lodge St. Andrew, No. 1756, and Lodge San Andreas, No. 1835, equally having the largest number of Brethren joining from an individual Lodge.
The Masonic audience viewing the examples of the excellent support being shared on the SCFS page was further extended as new International Constitution Members joined the group from the GL of the State of Israel, GL Alpina of Switzerland, GL of Peru, United Grand Lodges of Germany, GL of New South Wales, GL of the District of Columbia (USA), Simbolic GL of Paraguay, UGLE and the GL of the Philippines.
Many of you will hopefully have received a circular from Mrs Dawn Oliff by now but just in case you haven’t, we were delighted to receive a very generous donation of a hand crafted, sterling silver watch chain (please see the picture below). It has been decided to raffle the chain with all proceeds going to the Scottish Masonic Homes. Brother John Muir has kindly agreed to manage the raffle for us and requires certain information to progress the entries and payments – each draw entry costs £5 and if you would like to participate, please email John at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I will draw the winner on 26th November at a special broadcast. The closing date to enter is 5 p.m. on 25th November.
Thank you to everyone who takes part, your support is greatly appreciated, and all of the funds raised will be used for the benefit of the Residents.
I’m delighted that arrangements have been made for our first joint meeting between our District Grand Masters and the Proxy District Grand Masters. I have also issued an invitation to our 19 Lodges who report direct to Grand Lodge. This will be an ideal opportunity for the Proxy DGM’s to meet with those whom they represent.
Brother Gordon Michie has kindly given me a copy of the latest guidance relating to Remembrance Parades and Services. I will arrange to have it circulated to the Home Lodges along with this update. I will be in Edinburgh on Monday to lay a wreath on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in Princes Street Gardens.
In the meantime, please stay safe, look after yourselves and each other.
Kindest regards
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason