The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren, 

Welcome to the 200th edition of the Weekly Update.The 200thedition will also be the final edition as I demit Office on the 30th of November when I will have the great honour of Installing our new Grand Master Mason, Brother Dr Joseph John Morrow, CVOCBEKStJKCDLFRSE, the current Lord Lyon King of Arms.

Through the medium of the Weekly Update, may I take this opportunity to thank you all, your Lodges, Provinces, Districts and Superintendencies for the support you have given me over the past five years. It has been a real privilege to serve as your Grand Master Mason – I only hope that my endeavour over the period has matched your expectations of me.

Can I also take the opportunity to thank Grand Secretary and his staff at 96 George Street for the tremendous support I have received from them all. It has been greatly appreciated.Likewise, my sincere thanks to Brothers Dougie Fergie and Jim Ellis for their weekly contributions in respect of SCFS. They are both doing a tremendous job and, on your behalf, as well as my own, I thank them sincerely.

I will not be disappearing from Grand Lodge totally. Constitutionally, I will assume the role of Chair of the new Governance and Strategy Board. I look forward to this new role in which I will hopefully be able to assist in taking Scottish Freemasonry forward in a very positive, upbeat, and meaningful way.

In closing, can I thank you all, at home and overseas, for the warm welcome, affection and friendship that you have so kindly shown to me over the past five years – the memories I have will be cherished and valued for the remainder of my life.

SCFS

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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren, 

Last Saturday saw a large Deputation from the Grand Lodge head to the Province of Lanarkshire Middle Ward to celebrate the 200^th anniversary of Lodge Woodhall St Johns No 305. What a splendid time we had. The administrative arrangements were all first class resulting in a very enjoyable afternoon and evening. My thanks to the Lodge and to the Province for their welcome, hospitality and friendship – all greatly appreciated.

On Wednesday night Grand Secretary and I spent a most enjoyable evening in the magnificent building that is Glasgow City Chambers. The occasion was a Civic Reception to celebrate the Centenary of Glasgow Trades House Lodge. Yet another hugely successful meeting – congratulations to all involved in the organisation and to the Lodge on attaining this important milestone in your history.

Tonight, Ann and I are looking forward to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ross and Cromarty Dinner Dance in the Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpeffer. This is another marker to show that we are getting back to some state of normality. Congratulations to the PGM, Brother Raymond MacKeddie, and his team for organising the event.

Tomorrow night, I’m heading to Lochaber to visit Lodge Mallaig No 1056. Really looking forward to the visit as I attended the Lodge regularly while stationed there in the 80s.  

SCFS

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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

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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren, 

It is my pleasure to commence the weekly update by congratulating Bro Dr Joseph John Morrow on his appointment as our next Grand Master Mason. I will have the honour of Installing him at the Installation Meeting on 30^th November. I am delighted that the opportunity has now arisen to allow Bro Morrow to complete his journey as our Grand Master Mason. I am sure that all readers will join with me in wishing him a very happy, successful and enjoyable term in Office.

Unfortunately, my trip to Dundee to join in the Centenary Celebrations of Lodge Roineach Mhor Downfield No 1308 last Saturday did not happen due to the effect of Storm Babet. Forfarshire and Angus suffered greatly as a result of the storm and our heartfelt sympathy goes to all who have lost loved ones and to those who have lost their homes. Grand Lodge has committed £10,000 to the recovery fund.

The Grand Lodge Communication took place yesterday. It was preceded by a meeting of the Governance and Strategy Board which is now beginning to take shape and the final members of the Board were all elected yesterday afternoon. It is therefore, all systems go. I’m looking forward to the December meeting when further progress will have been made regarding the Standing Committees and the rolling out of the Strategic Vision, which was also endorsed yesterday by Grand Lodge.

It was also announced yesterday that Brother Hugh Bryson will be stepping down as Proxy District Master of the Far East. Brother Bryson has been a very effective Proxy Master for over 20 years prior to which he served the District as their District Grand Master. He has been a tremendous example to us all and we wish him a very relaxed and enjoyable retirement.

I received a very pleasant surprise yesterday when I was made an Honorary Member of the Grand Lodge of Denmark through the good offices of Brother Christian Høy-Petersen, Grand Chancellor of the Grand Lodge of Denmark. My sincere thanks to the Grand Master, Brother Walter Schwartz.

SCFS

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I bring  Fraternal greetings to your Right Worshipful Master, Past Masters, Wardens and Brethren.

As you know, The Prostate Scotland Awareness Initiative kicked off if earnest at the Provincial Grand Royal Arch chapter of Renfrewshire, fully supported by the Provinces of Renfrewshire West and Renfrewshire East. . This was way back on Saturday 10th June 2023 where I was delighted to represent the Province and our own PGM at the formal kick off.

This is an extension of the Make it a Million campaign and this initiative is being fully supported by The Grand Lodge of Scotland, I have acted as the representative on the Steering group of our own PGM Bro John Williamson Black. 

Since then the inaugural  Grand Lodge kick off meeting in Lodge Prince of Wales, hosted by Grand Superintendent Kevin Pollock and the educational session was hosted by Grand Almoner Bro. Tom Davidson. Brother Davidson outlined the aim of the overall programme. Comprehensive presentations were then given by Adam Gains and Mae Bell from Prostate Scotland, after which they group engaged in a Q&A session. A very informative and successful evening was enjoyed by all.

The Champions or Ambassadors for the joint Prostate awareness initiative are spread over the Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire West ,Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Renfrewshire, .and the Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire East. The Intendancy of Strathclyde and the District Grand Priory of Strathclyde also have given full support. They have undergone specialist training given by Prostate Scotland and are now ready and willing to discharge their role and duties.

This is a completely confidential advice service, and no Brother or Companion should ever feel obliged to reveal their identity should they not want to.

This is not a medical help service, however advice on who to contact for further assistance can be given, a friendly ear and a trained individual to offer advice and support you and signpost the way towards further information and medical help if required.

Our Champions or Ambassadors do not represent any single Province or order, they form a cadre providing their services across the three provinces. This initiate is underpinned by the principle of one masonic family with no boundaries.

Our trained team of Champions are ready for your call.

 Gerry - 07932239440

 Jim - 07505273293

 Danny - 07432832529

 Steve - 07507228312

 Billy – 07833054567

This initiative is part of The Grand Lodge of Scotland, Prostate legacy and Grand Lodge of Scotland are overseeing and are fully engaged with this initiative.

Brethren, We hope that much more information and future initiatives will be communicated to you all, but I urge you to give this particular communication your earnest consideration. 

Every 45 minutes a man dies of Prostate disease in the UK. We have the opportunity to fight Prostate disease head on and refuse to live in ignorance.

Together we can all make a difference

Your Faithfully and Fraternally

Paul Docherty 

Depute Provincial Grand Master 

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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren, 

Some of you may well be aware by now that the decision has been taken to sell our care home in Bridge of Weir, Marcus Humphrey House, as a going concern. This decision has not been taken lightly but the operation of the Home has changed significantly over the years. It is genuinely felt that the provision of the service in the future would be best delivered by specialists in the field. Further detail will be sent to all Lodges through the Provinces.

I mentioned last week that I would be heading south to Perth last Saturday to witness the Young Masons of Perthshire East (“The Stones of Destiny”) work an Entered Apprentice Degree. The magnificent Lodge Room of Lodge Scoon and Perth No 3 was almost full to capacity with Young Masons Groups from Ayrshire, The Scottish Borders and beyond, all present to support their contemporaries in Perthshire East. The degree was worked in exemplary fashion – a credit to the Brethren in the team and to the PGM, Brother Ian Cameron, whose unstinting support of the group has been first class. It was a real joy to be in the Lodge to witness such a well worked degree. But, the working of the degree, I believe, was only part of the wider story.  The PGM remarked that – “the cross-Lodge interaction and effort has united these young Masons into a very strong group” – Brethren, I have no doubt that the interaction between all the Lodges involved will continue with those young Masons. There will be social interaction, there will be charity events to name but a few off-shoots. This was the third Young Masons group I have witnessed working a degree and collectively their effort and endeavour has undoubtedly justified the decision to form Young Masons groups in all our Provinces and Districts. There is still much work to be done to establish Young Masons Groups in all areas. With PGMs and DGMs grasping the nettle to establish and support the groups there is little doubt that the future of Scottish Freemasonry is in safe hands.

SCFS

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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren, 

Last weekend was particularly busy but most enjoyable. On Friday, I was in Grand Lodge to sign the Covenant, along with Colonel Anthony Phillips, pledging the support of Grand Lodge to the Armed Forces. It was an excellent afternoon with two first class presentations from Duncan Evans, of the Lowland Reserve Forces and Cadet Association and from Kenneth Grieve, Chairman of the Lowland Regional Employer Engagement Group of the Lowland Reserve Forces and Cadet Association. We also enjoyed two piping recitals led by Grand Piper, Pipe Major Robert Burns accompanied by two colleagues from the Royal Scots Association Pipe Band, Victoria MacLean and Billy Rutherford.

The event was tinged with sadness when we learned that Bro Bob Hawkins, the Commander of HMS Caledonia at Rosyth, who was with us at the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant passed away over the weekend. Bob was one of our Prostate Champions and was offering to host the next training session at HMS Caledonia.

On Saturday, I travelled east to Ellon where I had the pleasure of heading a Deputation which included two Past Grand Masters, Bro Marcus Humphrey of Dinnet and Bro Charles Iain Robert Wolrige Gordon of Esslemont, to rededicate the building of Lodge Ythan No 892. It was a splendid day with the Brethren of Aberdeenshire East. The welcome, hospitality and generosity of the Lodge Ythan Brethren was first-class and greatly appreciated.

Have been in touch this week with Bro Anthony Bostwick, DGM of Bahamas. They too are having a busy time – once again organising a “Blood Drive” when they encourage everyone to attend the Masonic Temple to donate blood. They are heading this weekend to Lodge Eleutheran Adventurers No 1816 for the annual Installation. It certainly appears to be an Installation with a difference as during the weekend the Brethren take to sea in a variety of boats for a ‘Fishing Extravaganza’. Looks like a fun-filled weekend. Something to consider in sunny Scotland?

SCFS

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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren, 

Grand Secretary and I had just arrived in Panama last week in sufficient time for me to compile last week’s update. It was a memorable week in Panama for many reasons. 

First, our new Grand Superintendent, Bro Enrique Sanchez, was a senior engineer on the Panama Canal for 38 years and is now on the Board of Directors. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the canal much of which he imparted to the Substitute Grand Master, Grand Secretary, and I when he took us into the Control Room at the Lock Gates. It was a fascinating trip during which we witnessed four ships being expertly manoeuvred through the locks.

The following day we learned much more about the history of Panama when we visited two museums during which we were briefed on the failed Darien Scheme back in 1700 when many Scots lost their lives. That evening we met with representatives from the Grand Lodge of Panama in what was a very positive meeting.

Saturday was the main event. I opened Grand Lodge and thereafter proceeded to Consecrate the new Superintendency and the new Lodge Building, assisted by our Substitute Grand Master, Bro Alexander Moncrieff, and Grand Secretary. We were collectively assisted by Past Masters Anibal George, Carlos Almengor and John Mercier. After the Consecration ceremony was complete, we broke for refreshment before assembling once again to install Bro Enrique Sanchez as the first Grand Superintendent. In the evening we were joined by the ladies for a superb Gala Dinner.

On Sunday morning a large Deputation from the Superintendency gathered in the Cathedral of St Luke for the morning service, which was conducted by the Bishop, His Grace, Julio E Murray, who delivered a very powerful and thought-provoking sermon based on Matthew 21 verses 23 – 32.

After Church we drove to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort where we enjoyed an excellent lunch. The lunch concluded the formal part of the visit. We all returned home on Monday.

A full report will appear in the 2024 Yearbook.

SCFS

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