The Group saw its membership rise to 7245 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 1758, submitted by 499 of its members.

These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 441 Lodges, from within 59 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge. 

During the week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Linlithgowshire, Stirlingshire and The Scottish Borders.

The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £3,618,533.

I’m delighted to highlight a post from Brother George Buchan, Depute District Grand Master, Western Australia. He sent news of a wonderful joint donation of over £1500 by Lodge Menzies Doric, No.  890, and The Scottish Masonic Charitable Foundation of Western Australia to assist in the ongoing operating costs of The Rockingham Men's Shed. This wonderful organisation has become an incredibly powerful tool in addressing men's health and wellbeing by providing a safe environment for socialising with like-minded men. 

• New members were welcomed from our Lodges overseas: Lodge Mount Lebanon, No. 1312 (Lebanon), The Lorne Lodge, No. 654(Western Province of the Cape of Good Hope), and Lodge United Brothers,  251 (Trinidad and Tobago & Grenada). Particular mention must be made to Lodge Union of Athole, No. 591 (Central South Africa) from which a significant number of Brethren joined the group.

• Brethren from other Masonic constitutions were similarly welcomed, such as Brethren from lodges under the GL of New York, GL of New Zealand, and the GL of the Philippines.

I am looking forward to being in Kilwinning this Saturday to reinstall Tom Wood as PGM of Kilwinning. There will be a sizeable Deputation from Grand Lodge which is good – and I expect that there will be many Brethren from all the airts and pairts. It promises to be a great day.

Many Brethren throughout the world know our past DGM of India, Brother Bomi Mehta. I am sad to report that he is seriously ill in the Intensive Care unit of Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. He is a legend in Scottish Freemasonry in India – our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

Could I take the opportunity to stress the point I made last week? Please spread the word that Prostate Scotland has launched its new “Prostate Scotland App”. The App is available for both Apple and Android mobile phones.

The Prostate Scotland App” is free from Apple store or Google Play and contains excellent information and help for men and their families who are going through their journey with Prostate Cancer.

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason

The Group saw its membership rise to 7237 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 1752, submitted by 498 of its members.

These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 441 Lodges, from within 59 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge. 

During the week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Dumfriesshire, Glasgow, Linlithgowshire, Renfrewshire East and Ross & Cromarty.

The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £3,484,029.

Two extremely interesting posts were published this week. 

• Brother Theeranet Ruanghnayshared news of a donation of money and basic necessity items for daily living for inmates, to the value of over £1550, by Bro. Phisit Charoenphan, Master, and the Brethren of Lodge Ratanakosin, No. 1833, to the Department of Corrections, Thailand.

• Brother George Rogers, Past District Grand Master, Western Australia, as Chairman of the Scottish Masonic Charitable Foundation of Western Australia, shared news of the continuing, wonderful support of Surf Life Saving in WA by the Foundation as he presented two awards, which are sponsored by the Foundation, at the ‘Awards of Excellence for Surf Life Saving’ ceremony. 

• New members were welcomed from our Lodges overseas from the following Districts:Trinidad and Tobago & Grenada, Lebanon, Far East, Western Province of the Cape of Good Hope, Jordan. Particular mention must be made to Lodge Al Arz, No. 1853, Lebanon, from which a significant number of Brethren joined the group.

• Brethren from other Masonic constitutions were similarly welcomed, such as Brethren under the Regular GL of Italy, GL of Massachusetts, GL of Irelandand UGLE. 

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason

• The Group saw its membership rise to 7216 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 1745, submitted by 495 of its members.

• These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 440 Lodges, from within 59 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge. 

• During the week posts were submitted by group members representing the Province of Lanarkshire Middle Ward.

• The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £3,475,169.

An extremely interesting post was published this week … a video of a broadcast on ‘Our News’ from the Bahamas, featuring the recent second Annual Scottish Masonic Food Festival, organised and presented for the community by the District Grand Lodge of the Bahamas. This Festival added greatly to the activities of the community, giving many a wonderful opportunity to socialise and strengthen friendships. It was attended by hundreds of patrons, and, as the reporter commented, “It started at 12 noon and lasted well into the night.” Brother Anthony Bostwick, District Grand Master, added that the Festival had been “a complete success for family, community and brotherly love.”

• New members were welcomed from our Lodges overseas: Lodge Polynesia, No. 562 (Fiji), and Lodge Kadisha, No. 1002 (Lebanon).

• Brethren from other Masonic constitutions were similarly welcomed, such as Brethren under the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay. 

Looking forward to attending Lodge Allan Wilson No 851 this coming Tuesday where the guest speaker will be Brother Willie Semple, Grand Secretary. Anyone interested in coming along, the Lodge meets at 11.00 for coffee and tyles at 11.30. Lunch is served at 13.00 hours.

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason

• The Group saw its membership rise to 7208 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 1743, submitted by 495 of its members.

• These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 440 Lodges, from within 59 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge. 

• During the week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Aberdeenshire West, Fife & Kinross, Forfarshire, Linlithgowshire and Stirlingshire.

• The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £3,474,569.

The following extremely interesting post was published this week.

• Brother Richard Luke Gordon, PM, shared news of Lodge St. John, No. 623, Jamaica, which grants two scholarships annually to students of the University of Technology, Faculty of Engineering, each valued at Jamaican $200,000. This is in addition to the Alva Anderson scholarship, valued at Jamaican $100,000, presented to a student of Jamaica College. These annual donations of over £2500 are always warmly received by the recipients. The money for the donations is raised through various fundraising events. 

New members were welcomed from our Lodges overseas: Lodge Harmony, No. 1830, and Lodge Trinity, No. 1846, both in the District of Lebanon. Brethren from other Masonic constitutions were similarly welcomed, such as Brethren under the GL of Ohio, and the GL of Western Australia.

This weekend I will be representing Grand Lodge at the Regular Grand Lodge of Italy at their Communication in Rome. 

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason

• The Group saw its membership rise to 7200 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 1736, submitted by 493 of its members.

• These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 439 Lodges, from within 59 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge. 

• During the week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Edinburgh, Forfarshire, Glasgow, Ross & Cromarty, The Scottish Borders, and Sutherland.

• The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £3,470,169.

The following extremely interesting posts were published this week and thanks is extended to the Brethren who provided the information. 

• Brother Richard Luke Gordon, PM, shared news of Lodge St. John, No. 623, Jamaica, hosting its annual treat with the children of the Boys Town Infant School in Kingston, Jamaica … featuring Brother Leighton McKnight, Master, sharing buns and cheese with the children. 
• Brother George Rogers, PDGM, Western Australia, forwarded a post by Brother George Buchan, PM, in which details of Lodge Menzies Doric, No. 890, and family members, recently set up a Team with Lifeblood Australia, where donations of blood or plasma could be made as a team, rather than as individuals. For a few hours on Sunday 18th June, the Lodge Menzies Doric family took over the Rockingham Blood donation centre, and gifted not just their time, but also the possibility of saving lives.
• Brother Pédro Turnquest, SW, Lodge San Andreas, No. 1835, Bahamas, provided information of an excellent example of the strong support of the local community given by Lodge San Andreas. At the Graduation Ceremony of the Huntley Christie High School, two students were recipients of substantial financial recognition for excellence as part of the Lodge’s Alphonso Smith Scholarship Award Program.

New members were welcomed from our Lodges overseas: Lodge Menzies Doric, No. 890, Western Australia, Lodge Tranquillity, No. 1446, Sierra Leone and the Gambia, and Lodge Hesperus, No. 1738, Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada. Brethren from other Masonic constitutions were similarly welcomed, such as Brethren under the GL of Florida, the GL of Michigan, and the GL of New York. 

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason

• The Group saw its membership rise to 7193 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 1726, submitted by 490 of its members.

• These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 438 Lodges, from within 59 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge. 
• During the week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Ayrshire, Dumfriesshire, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Linlithgowshire, Perthshire East, Perthshire West, Ross & Cromarty, and The Scottish Borders.

• The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £3,467,334.

An extremely interesting post was received from Brother Sasidharan, Master, Lodge Tullibardine in the East, No 1118, Middle East. He provided news of a successful charity event by the Lodge in support of an education initiative for underprivileged children, advising also that the Lodge has raised over £17,500 for this cause. The funds will be used to provide primary and secondary academic support for children from the local underprivileged community. A commitment was made to the Tara Foundation in support of this education programme for 2 years. 

• Once again, it was a pleasure to welcome new members from our Lodges overseas. This week particular reference must be made to Lodge Delco, No. 1624, Sierra Leone and the Gambia. 

• In addition, Brethren from other Masonic constitutions, with which the GLoS is in amity, were similarly welcomed. Amongst these were Brethren under the GL of Texas… but deserving of special mention were Brethren joining from a total of 6 different Lodges under the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay.

 We will have a full programme over the weekend in Beirut including a Q&A session with senior Brethren from the District and visits to sites of religious and masonic interest.

On Monday Grand Secretary and I will be guests of the Grand Master of Washington DC (MWB Annas) as he conducts the annual Grand Visitation to his Lodges in Beirut.  This affords us another opportunity to unite together with the Regular Grand Lodges in Lebanon, in particular Washington DC and Grand Lodge Nationale Francaise.

The importance of maintaining Regular Freemasonry around the world is well exemplified in Lebanon where we have experienced and successfully challenged irregular freemasonry through the Grand Masters of Masons in North America, Commission on Information for Recognition. The Aims and Relationships of the Craft, read at all our Installation Ceremonies specifically state – “the Grand Lodge is aware that there do exist bodies styling themselves Freemasons, which do not adhere to these principles, and while that attitude exists the Grand Lodge of Scotland refuses absolutely to have any relations with such bodies or to regard them as Freemasons”.

Our Brethren around the world can be assured we will maintain these standards.

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason

• There will be no SCFS report this week – Brother Fergie is having a well-deserved break.

A post by Brother Pédro Turnquest, JW, Lodge San Andreas, No. 1835, the Bahamas, was published advising of the Lodge’s support of the Aids Foundation in raising funds by selling books of raffle tickets at a local charity event. In total, the Lodge was able to donate the excellent sum of over £800 to this wonderful cause.  The support of a variety of charities by other Lodges in the District of the Bahamas was also shown. 

• Once again, it was a pleasure to welcome new members from our Lodges overseas. This week particular reference must be made to Lodge St. John, No. 618 (Far East). 

• In addition, Brethren from other Masonic constitutions, with which the GLoS is in amity, were similarly welcomed. Amongst these, and deserving special mention, were many Brethren from Lodges under the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay.

On Wednesday evening, accompanied by the Substitute Grand Master and Grand D of C, we joined with a large Deputation of Brethren from Paraguay in Lodge Elgin and Bruce No 1077 where we witnessed Brother Mark Thompson receive an excellent MM Degree. The Degree was also witnessed by Brother Mark’s father, (Brother Craig Thompson, SPGM in Fife and Kinross and member of staff at Grand Lodge) and grandfather. It was excellent to see three generations in Lodge together.

Last Friday night, despite rail strikes, flights being cancelled and delayed, I was able to get to London and attend the Caledonian Lodge No 134 EC. I was accompanied by Brother Alexander Moncrieff, SGM and a large Deputation from our own Caledonian Lodge 392 in Edinburgh whose numbers were augmented by Brethren from neighbouring Lodges and Provinces in and near to Edinburgh. Despite the fact that I missed most of the meeting, I was made very welcome by both the Master of the Lodge, Brother Fred Bain, and by Brother Chris Hayward, Deputy Metropolitan Grand Master.

The ensuing Festive Board was excellent, and it provided a good opportunity to meet with many of their members. The Lodge is actively encouraging Scots living and working in London to consider joining them and part of my visit was to encourage that process.

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason

• The Group saw its membership rise to 7184 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 1710, submitted by 486 of its members.

• These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 438 Lodges, from within 59 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge. 

• During the week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Ayrshire, Forfarshire, Lanarkshire Middle Ward, Linlithgowshire, Perthshire West and Renfrewshire West.

• The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £3,441,399.

A post by Brother Tony Osman, demonstrating the ongoing support of the Brethren in Malawi, was published showing the unstinting giving of their time, effort and care as they distributed materials for roofing of over 60 houses which had been damaged by Cyclone Freddy. This was in addition to the distribution of clothing to the local villagers.

• Once again, it was a pleasure to welcome new members from our Lodges overseas. This week particular reference must be made to Lodge Star in the East, No. 640 (Japan, Far East) and toLodge St. Thomas, No. 576 (Gibraltar).

• In addition, Brethren from other Masonic constitutions, with which the GLoS is in amity, were similarly welcomed. Amongst these were Brethren from the Grand Lodge of the Philippines and the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay. 

On Tuesday night, accompanied by Ann, I had the pleasure to attend the “Box Opening Night” of the Incorporation of Masons of Glasgow in Trades House Glasgow. Deacon Rev David Taylor presided and Grand Organist, Brother Jonathan Buchan, was on hand to provide musical accompaniment. A thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason