The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

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

Brethren

Yesterday, Thursday 28^th October, marked a significant step forward in the fight against Covid with the first Grand Lodge Communication since February 2020. Around 250 Brethren were in attendance and how good it was to be back in Grand Hall.

As you can imagine, we had a lengthy agenda to cope with and all those in attendance had received substantial amounts of paperwork to work their way through but thanks to the organisation of Grand Secretary and his staff, all went according to plan.

The Grand Lodge Installation will take place on Thursday 25^th November but there will be no Festival of St Andrew. Numbers will be restricted but it is another step in the right direction.

This weekend I will be heading a Deputation north to Shetland where we will be installing Brother Alan Balfour as the PGM of Orkney and Zetland. Hopefully the weather will improve compared to what it was in Edinburgh yesterday!

SCFS

SCFS Overseas Report  

Several outstanding posts were published this week … 

• Brother George Rogers, Immediate Past District Grand Master of Western Australia, shared news of a wonderful donation of over £8100 to the Returned Services League of Western Australia by the brethren in that district. 
• Brother Bobby Law, Past District Grand Master, highlighted the wonderful support of Epworth Children’s Home in Germiston, South Africa, by brethren in the district of Central South Africa. 
• A post from Brother Scott Bartlett, Immediate Past District Grand Master of Newfoundland and Labrador, showing support by Lodge Northcliffe, No. 1086, for the Ronald McDonald House for Sick Kids and their Families, was also published. 
• Overseas Membership has now reached a total of 1630 brethren due to new members joining from Lodges in the Districts of the Bahamas and Newfoundland and Labrador. 
• Our membership of brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS continues to increase and now stands at 959. These members play an important role in spreading news throughout their respective constitutions of the excellent support which brethren of the Scottish constitution are providing to so many. 
• During this week, new members joined from 11 different Masonic constitutions, including: GL of California, GL of Tennessee, GL of South Carolina, GL of Nigeria, GL of Texas, UGLE, GL of South Africa, GL of Japan, United GL of Queensland, GL of Peru. 
• In addition to the above, a special welcome was extended to Brother Stephen Michalak, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of South Australia and Northern Territory. 
• It is encouraging that more Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, have shared with us the examples of the excellent support with which they have been involved and we look forward to sharing future news with all our brethren.

My sincere thanks and that of my Deputation to the Master and Brethren of Lodge St Peters Operative for the very warm welcome we received last Friday night – the 200^th anniversary celebrations were a joy to be part of.

Likewise, our sincere thanks to the Master and Brethren of Lodge St Martin in Ullapool where we enjoyed their Centenary celebrations last Saturday. A very productive and enjoyable weekend.

Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.

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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

While in Grand Lodge yesterday, I had a final planning meeting for our first Grand Lodge Communication since February 2020. It will be a bit different, but we are meeting again, which is good news. Grand Secretary will be issuing the paperwork this week and I can confirm that there will be a fair amount of bedtime reading! 

I am being informed of more and more Lodge meetings taking place which is also good news and, from what I have seen, the Government guidelines are being adhered to which is so important. We must be continually aware that the virus is still very much in our midst but by getting the vaccines and adhering to the rules and regulations, we will remain as safe as we can be while moving back to some form of normality. I can tell you that in Scotland at the moment, we have 460 applicants awaiting either enquiry committee or their EA Degree. Grand Secretary is currently conducting a survey amongst our Lodges abroad to get a true world-wide figure. 

SCFS

SCFS Overseas Report  

• An outstanding post from Brother Bobby Law, Past District Grand Master, and Brother Andy Kiloh, was published highlighting the wonderful support, to the value of over £52,000, which has been provided for the needy in the District of Central South Africa. 
• Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1628Brethren as a result of new members joining from Lodges in the Districts of the Bahamas, Jamaica, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, Western Australia, and from our Lodge in Peru, Lodge Peace and Concord, No. 445. 
• The largest increase in membership was from the District of Sierra Leone and The Gambia.
• Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoShas now increased to 943. These members play an important role in spreading news throughout their respective constitutionsof the excellent support which Brethren of the Scottish constitution are providing to so many. 
• During this week, new members joined from 7different Masonic constitutions, including: United Grand Lodges of Germany, GL of Japan, United Grand Lodge of Victoria, GL of Peru, UGLEand the GL of 
• In addition to the above, a special welcome was extended to Brother Godfrey Place, Provincial Grand Master of the Northern Division of the Grand Lodge of South Africa. 
• We would encourage more Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, to share with us the examples of the excellent support which they are undoubtedly involved in, and we look forward, in turn, to sharing it with all our Brethren.

My sincere thanks and that of my Deputation to the PGM and brethren of the Province of Kincardineshire for the welcome we received in Stonehaven last Saturday. It was a grand day, well organised, culminating with a very welcome High Tea in the Station Hotel. 

This weekend takes on a different style – no Installations this weekend but two celebrations – first a bi-centenary in Lodge St John Operative No 286 in Thurso on Friday night then a cross country journey to Ullapool on Saturday for the Centenary celebrations in Lodge St Martin No 1217.

Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.

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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

Welcome to the 90^th edition of the Weekly Update. Little did I think when I penned the first one in March 2020, that I would still be doing it 19 months later.

However we had very heartening news this week at the Heads of Orders meeting. In terms of Grand Lodge, we can report that some 70% of Lodges in Scotland are back operating to some level – whether that be for Committee and/or Business Meetings or full-blown Regular Meetings with Degrees being worked.

We are also hearing of plans to have Installation Meetings this year in a significant number of Lodges at home and abroad. In Scotland, we are aware that there are well over 400 candidates awaiting Initiation. Grand Secretary is writing to the District Grand Lodges to get an overall number.

That said, globally, we are aware that during the past 19 months over 1000 brethren have passed to the Grand Lodge above. As I have mentioned before, it is the intention of Grand Lodge to hold a Memorial Service, hopefully in February 2022 at which each of those Brethren will be remembered.

Further details of the service will be made available soon and all being well it will be broadcast live so that our brethren, wherever in the world they may be, will be able to join those who are attending the service by a video link.

SCFS

SCFS Overseas Report  

• Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1622 This is thanks to new members joining us from our Lodges in the Districts of the Bahamas, Central South Africa (RSA), Far East (Philippines), Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada, Sierra Leone and The Gambia. 
• The largest increase in membership was from the District of the Bahamas. 
• We now have 935 Brethren (ICMs -International Constitution Members), who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoS, spreading news of the wonderful support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase, throughout their constitutions worldwide.
• During this week, the expanding reach of SCFS was seen by the fact that Brethren joined from 7different Masonic Constitutions, including: GL ofCalifornia, GL of New Brunswick, United GL of Victoria, GL of Georgia, Grand East of the Netherlands, UGLE, and the GL of Ireland.
• An interesting post was received from Brother Ivor Lopez, District Grand Secretary, sharing the support of Great Ormond Street Hospital by Lodge Al Moghreb Al Aska, No. 670, in the District of Gibraltar. 
• This was published on SCFS-Showcase in addition to a detailed post highlighting the support of Lodge Ailsa, No. 1172, Singapore, in the District of the Middle East, for the Children’s Wishing Well Foundation.
• Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, are all encouraged to continue sharing the examples of the excellent support in which they are involved and we look forward, in turn, to sharing it with all our Brethren. 

My sincere thanks for the welcome the Grand Lodge Deputation received in the Province of Forfarshire last Saturday. It was a joyful occasion with great optimism being displayed for the way ahead. This weekend, I am looking forward to being in Stonehaven for the Installation of Brother Graham MacKay as Provincial Grand Master of Kincardineshire.

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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

Scottish Freemasons at home and abroad have assisted their local communities in so many ways over the past 18 months – something we should be extremely proud of. However, we are now at a stage, both within and out with the Craft where we are seeing a rise in mental health issues. To try and help reduce the potential problems and be able to point people in the right direction, we are taking a pro-active approach to the subject. Mrs Oliff has all the material ready for inclusion in the proposed Mental Health Awareness leaflet and has arranged for the printer to produce a proof so that we can hopefully have some advance copies available for the Communication on 28^th October with the wider distribution to all our Lodges early in November. The availability of the leaflet is an important positive step which will hopefully lead, in the new year, to some brethren in all our Provinces and Districts volunteering to be trained as Mental First Aiders in a constructive and helpful attempt to assist those having difficulty in coping with the fallout from the pandemic.

SCFS

SCFS Overseas Report  

• Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1615Brethren, with most new Members coming from Lodge Hesperus, No. 1738, in the District of Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada. A welcome increase in ourmembership from Sri Lanka (Lodge Bonnie Doon, No. 611) was also noted. 
• We now have 927 Brethren (ICMs -International Constitution Members), who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the Grand Lodge of Scotland, with new members joining this week from 7different Masonic Constitutions, namely: GL of Missouri, United GL of Victoria, GL of New South Wales and A.C.T., Grand East of the Netherlands, UGLE(England, Nigeria), GL of South Africa, GL of Japan. These ICMs play an important part in spreading news of the excellent examples of support published on the SCFS page. 
• Posts showing the outstanding donations and support by Lodges in our Districts of Western Australia, Middle East, Zimbabwe, and Kwa-Zulu Natal were published on our public SCFS-Showcase. 

Last weekend was another busy one with two Provincial Installations and a Lodge amalgamation. My sincere thanks and that of the Depute Grand Master for the welcome we received in Moray and Nairn, Perthshire West and the Scottish Borders. This weekend, I am looking forward to being in Dundee for the Installation of Brother Peter Taylor as Provincial Grand Master of Forfarshire.

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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

As you will read in the SCFS report, we, as Scottish Freemasons, at home and abroad have, during the Pandemic contributed over £1.5 million into our communities to help those who are struggling with life at this difficult time. A tremendous effort which has not only helped those in need but has raised the profile of Freemasonry in a positive way.

I would wish to record my thanks to Brothers Dougie Fergie and Jim Ellis along with all those who assist them in promoting the SCFS Facebook which has highlighted all that the Lodges in our Provinces, Districts and Superintendencies are doing.

SCFS

SCFS Overseas Report  

• Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1612 This is thanks to new members joining us from our Lodges in the Districts of the Far East (Hong Kong), Sierra Leone and The Gambia, and Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada. 
• The largest increase in membership was from the District of Sierra Leone and The Gambia, with a number of Brethren joining from 3 different Lodges.  
• We now have 915 Brethren (ICMs -International Constitution Members), who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS, spreading news of the wonderful support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase,throughout their constitutions worldwide.
• This week we were delighted to welcome our 900th Many congratulations to Brother Clay Elliott, RWM/PM of Demopolis Lodge, No. 49, under the Grand Lodge of Alabama. 
• During the past 7 days, the expanding reach of SCFS was seen by the fact that Brethren joined from13different Masonic Constitutions, including: GL of South Austrialia and the Northern Territory, GL of the State of Israel, Grand East of the Netherlands, GL of California, GL of the Philippines, GL of Canada in the Province of Ontario, GL of South Africa, United GL of Victoria, GL of Peru, GL of Alabama, GL of Ireland, GL of Arizona, and UGLE. 
• Posts showing the excellent donations and support by Lodges in our Districts of Zimbabwe, Middle East, and Gibraltar were published on SCFS-Showcase… which now has followers in 48different countries. 
• Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, are all encouraged to continue sharing the examples of the excellent support in which they are involved and we look forward, in turn, to sharing it with all our Brethren. 

Another successful Provincial Installation took place last Saturday in Cambuslang bringing the total of new PGM’s installed to 6. This weekend will see another two taking place in Moray and Nairn and in Perthshire West. The remaining four will take place on 9^th, 16^th, 30^th of October and 20^th November.

Likewise, the Rededication Ceremonies are taking place each week and I’m delighted to report that the feedback we have received from them all has been very positive. We still have a number on the pending list and Assistant Grand Secretary will be in touch with those Lodges to assist them in arranging suitable dates to mark the important milestones in their history.

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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

First, my apologies for the late delivery of last week’s update – a wee technical issue – but all is now resolved.

I have been asked by the Grand Lodge of Scotland Clay Shooting Association to bring to your attention that they are hosting the second International Masonic Clay Shooting Championship on Saturday 16^th October 2021.  The event will be held at the National Shooting Centre, Wester Jawcraig, Falkirk and will involve brethren from England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland competing for the Championship Trophy over a 100-target layout.  The top four scores from each nation will determine the result of the competition.

Entries are invited from brethren and their guests who share the passions for our craft and clay shooting and there will be plenty opportunity for fellowship outdoors. 

Further information is on our website www.gloscsa.co.uk/events , our Facebook pages and from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I have received a very encouraging Annual Report this week from Bro Jayaraman Ramesh our DGM in Botswana. While they have had difficulties with Covid, they are making progress and Bro Ramesh remarks in the conclusion to his report – “In the last few days, I have given my approval for the Lodges to meet again and have Business meetings, strictly adhering to all the COVID protocols and observing the local regulations and guidelines. They have also been instructed to abide by the Risk Management matrix as prescribed by the Grand Lodge and have it displayed in the premises.”

This is good news and I hope and trust that they are truly seeing a light at the end of the tunnel and that they will be able to resume normal activity soon.

SCFS

SCFS Overseas Report  

• Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1606 This is thanks to new members joining us from Lodges in the Districts of Bahamas, Barbados, Central South Africa (RSA), Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, Far East, India, Newfoundland and Labrador, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada. 
• The largest increase in membership was from the District of Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada, with Brethren joining from 9different Lodges.  
• The Lodge which had the most Brethren joining from it this week was Lodge Arima, No. 899, in Trinidad. 
• We are delighted to welcome our 1600thOverseas Member from our Lodges abroad. Many congratulations to Brother Manohar Jagdale, RWM, Lodge St. Andrew’s-in-the-East, No. 343, District Grand Lodge of India. 
• Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoS continues to grow. We now have 899 Brethren spreading news of the wonderful support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase,throughout their constitutions worldwide.
• During this week, the expanding reach of SCFS was seen by the fact that Brethren joined from 18different Masonic Constitutions, including: United GL of Germany, UGLE(England, Trinidad and Tobago, Eastern Archipelago, Wales), GL of Ireland, GL of Michigan, GL of India, GL of Arkansas, GL of California, MWGL of the Philippines, GL of Massachusetts, GL of New Brunswick, GL of Quebec, GL of North Carolina, United GL of Victoria, GL of Spain, GL of Nigeria, GL of Texas, GL of Canada in the Province of Ontario, GL of Ecuador. 
• From the above, it was delightful to extend a special welcome to Brother Patrick Carr, Past Deputy Grand Master of the GL of Arkansas. 
• Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, are all encouraged to continue sharing the examples of the excellent support in which they are involved and we look forward, in turn, to sharing it with all our Brethren. 

My sincere thanks and that of my Depute, Brother Tom Smith, to the Office-bearers and Brethren of Lodge Airlie 286 and Lodge Anima 1223 whose organisation at the weekend for their 200^th and 100^th anniversaries were first class. All went according to plan and the Brethren thoroughly enjoyed both events.

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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 another very productive one with a further two Provincial Installations taking place. On Friday night there was an excellent turnout of Brethren in the Tait Hall in Kelso to see the new PGM of the Scottish Borders, Brother Drew Forsyth and his Commission being installed. The Tait Hall is a very spacious building which accommodated all present safely and comfortably.

The following day we travelled north from Kelso to Fauldhouse where Brother Ronnie Gemmill and his Commission were installed in the Province of Linlithgowshire. Again, we were fortunate to have a large number of Brethren present.

Like the previous week, I was well impressed with all the arrangements that had been made to ensure the safety of all present and compliance with the Government regulations.

I have been delighted, over the past couple of months, to receive a goodly number of Annual Reports from both District and Provincial Grand Masters. It is so enjoyable to read about all that has happened, and all that continues to happen, at home and abroad despite the difficulties we have all had to cope with in terms of Coronavirus.

Lodges are opening up again both within the Provinces and the Districts and I am receiving very encouraging reports on the initial meetings. I am also delighted to hear that the Lodge Members are being totally sympathetic to those brethren who, for medical or other reasons, do not feel the time is right to return. Let me once again reiterate that while I am keen to encourage Lodges to reopen, there must be no pressure whatsoever placed on individuals to return if they are uncomfortable doing so – we will make them very welcome when they do feel that they can return to their Lodges.

SCFS

SCFS Overseas Report  

• As a result of new members joining us from Lodges in the Districts of North Island New Zealand, Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, Western Province of the Cape of Good Hope, Jamaica, Middle East (Malaysia, Thailand), and Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada, our Overseas Membership has increased to 1587 Brethren and we look forward to welcoming our 1600th Overseas Member. 
• The largest increase in membership was from the District of the Middle East, and it was encouraging to see a wide spread of Lodges being represented by our other Overseas Brethren who joined this week. 
• We welcomed Brethren who joined as International Constitution Members (ICMs) from 7different Masonic Constitutions, including: GL of Ireland(Antrim, South East Asia), GL of Russia (Belarus), United GL of Queensland, MWGL of the Philippines, GL of California, UGLE and the GL of Japan.
• As a result we now have 868 Brethren, who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoS, spreading news of the wonderful support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase,throughout their constitutions.
• We would encourage all Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, to advise us of the examples of the excellent support in which they are involved and we look forward, in turn, to sharing it with all our Brethren. 

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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 has been another busy week – two Provincial Installations carried out - one in East Lothian and one in Stirlingshire, a trip south to London to attend the Glasgow in London Dinner through the Incorporation of Masons and yesterday a meeting of Grand Committee by Zoom.

It was agreed by Grand Committee, having discussed the papers submitted by the working parties, that Grand Secretary and I prepare a list of items raised in the papers that can be used immediately by District and Provincial Grand Masters to address a range of issues that may be needed in their Districts and Provinces. Furthermore, that we prepare for Grand Lodge approval a remit for a new strategic working party who will put together a five-year strategic plan which will be delivered to Grand Lodge early in the New Year.

With that in mind, could I draw to your attention again the Register of Interests. If any brother, at home or abroad, feels he has knowledge and experience of strategic planning that could assist in the process, could you please contact Grand Secretary, marked “Register of Interests”, and include a short CV of your experience in strategic planning.

We are also looking to add to the Register of Interests any member qualified as a paramedic who would be available to attend all Grand Lodge meetings in Edinburgh – again, please email Grand secretary if you are interested.

SCFS

SCFS Overseas Report  

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