The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

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

Brethren,

As reported last week, I had problems with British Airways on the way out to Gibraltar. Just to keep things evenly balanced, it was the same story on the way back – two hours late leaving Gibraltar – missed connection at Heathrow – alternative flight to Edinburgh – train to Inverness. Arrived home on Tuesday afternoon instead of Monday night. However, the reduced period of time spent in Gibraltar was first class. It was a real pleasure to be back and to meet up with old friends and make new ones. Was delighted to see that Freddy was still behind the bar in the Masonic Club – he was behind the bar when I first visited Gibraltar in the mid-nineties, and he looks as fresh as ever. The Installation of Brother Paul Villalta and his Commission was well attended and went smoothly thanks to the organising skill of the District Grand Secretary, Brother Ivor Lopez and my acting Grand Director of Ceremonies, Bro Rob Lomax. He did a splendid job as did all Brethren who were standing in for the Grand Lodge Office-bearers. The Installation Banquet in the “Hall of Fame” was an excellent evening in the company of wives and partners.

On Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending St Andrew’s Church of Scotland where we were warmly welcomed by the Minister, Rev Ewen MacLean who hails from Lewis. I had a good craik with him and was delighted he knew several of my former colleagues. Sadly, the Church of Scotland are going to close the Church at the end of the year after a presence dating back to the 19^th century.

After Church, I attended, for a short while, the History and Heritage Committee lecture given by the DGM elect in the District of the Eastern Cape of Good Hope, Brother Jessop. Later in the day, we were taken for a trip round the rock on Brother Steven Segui’s boat. Brother Segui is the new Substitute DGM.

Despite British Airways attempts to cause havoc, we had a tremendous weekend and I convey my sincere thanks to the DGM, Brother Villalta, and all the Brethren, their wives, and partners for making us so welcome, for their generosity and friendship. It was truly appreciated.

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 I had the privilege of heading a Grand Lodge Deputation to Lodge St James No 123 in Brechin to celebrate their 250^th Anniversary. What a tremendous day we had – all arrangements rolled out like clockwork. Around 75 Brethren gathered in the Lodge and afterward in the Mechanics Institute where we enjoyed a superb meal. My sincere thanks to the members of St James for their welcome, hospitality and generosity. 

On Sunday afternoon at 14.00 we have the second of the new series of lectures organised by the History and Heritage Group. The “View from Over Here” comes this week from the District Grand Lodge of the Eastern Cape of Good Hope and will be presented by Brother Craig Jessop. Information on how to access the lecture can be found on the Grand Lodge Facebook page.

Left home yesterday morning at 04.00 hours to get to Inverness airport for the red eye flight to Heathrow en route to Gibraltar. Got through security, had my coffee, boarded the plane and sat there on the tarmac for the next two hours. Excuse was fog at Heathrow Airport albeit, Sue received a message from British Airways saying that the delay was due to air traffic control issues at Heathrow. However, after sitting on the tarmac for two hours, the Captain announced that the fog was lifting at Heathrow, but we couldn’t leave Inverness due to the air traffic controllers there having their official tea break. Couldn’t make it up. Missed the connection – hopefully I’ll get there today in time for the rehearsal!

SCFS

It is extremely encouraging that, approaching 30 months after its formation, the group is continuing to welcome new members from our lodges overseas.

• This week, brethren joined from a wide spread of these lodges: Lodge Al-Arz, No. 1853(Lebanon), Lodge Benguela, No. 1616(Namibia), Lodge Ashlar, No. 1845(Mauritius), Lodge Notwani, No. 1633 (Botswana), Lodge Sir William Wallace, No. 868 (Western Australia, Goldfields), and Lodge St. Andrew, No. 1139 (Newfoundland and Labrador).

In addition, new members were approved from Lodges under UGLE (Eastern Archipelago) and the Grand Lodge of Tennessee.

The excellent examples of charity and support, as detailed in the many posts published, are being very widely read and appreciated by brethren from our lodges overseas and from other Masonic constitutions. 

Such a post was received on Wednesday from Brother George Rogers, PDGM, District Grand Lodge of Western Australia, who shared the news that the Scottish Masonic Charitable Foundation, District Grand Lodge of Western Australia, has now been awarded Platinum Sponsor status by the Motor Neurone Disease Society of Western Australia in recognition of the Foundation’s remarkable donations of $20,000.00 (approximately £11,500) to the Charity.

Day tickets for the Conference are now available and separately, tickets for the Installation and Festival of St Andrew are now available from Grand Lodge. This will be a unique week in Scottish Freemasonry – one that I commend to all of you. If you don’t have your tickets yet – don’t delay – they are selling fast.

Heartiest congratulations to all those who completed the zip slide on Sunday – a fantastic effort and great boost toward the target.

I was disappointed that I couldn’t join you on the day but fully intend to pop into Killiecrankie on my way north in the next week or so and join the illustrious band of zip sliders

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,

The past week has been a mixture of happiness and sadness. Last Saturday I travelled east to Peterculter where we all enjoyed the belated Centenary celebrations of Lodge Leuchar. It was a most enjoyable day both in the Lodge and at the Dinner which followed. My thanks to all the Brethren in Peterculter.

Yesterday was a sad day as we gathered in The Lodge of Dunblane No 9 for a Lodge of Sorrow in respect of Past Provincial Grand Master of Perthshire West, John Scott Brockie. Thereafter we joined with a large congregation in Dunblane Cathedral for the funeral service. John would be known to many of you as his commitment to Freemasonry saw him travel extensively throughout Scotland and beyond. 

This weekend will be a busy one. Tomorrow, Saturday 8th, I will have the privilege of heading a Grand Lodge Deputation to Lodge St James No 123 in Brechin to celebrate, again belatedly, their 250th Anniversary. We’re all looking forward to the occasion.

On Sunday afternoon at 14.00 we have the first of the new series of lectures organised by the History and Heritage Group. The first lecture – Scottish Freemasonry in Mauritius – will be presented by Brother Gerard Jean-Regis Basile Fanchette and I commend it to you. Information on how to access the lecture can be found on the Grand Lodge Facebook page.

At 15.00 on Sunday afternoon, I will be hosting a zoom meeting of all Proxy District Grand Masters and I’m looking forward to our discussions.

SCFS

The Committee who are working on the Conference are certainly stepping up the pressure – only eight weeks to go to what is going to be a tremendous week of Masonic learning, discussion, interaction, socialising as well as cementing old friendships and making new ones. The programme is almost complete and will provide a very fitting run up to the Grand Lodge Installation and Festival of St Andrew on Thursday 24th November.

Day tickets for the Conference are now available and,separately, tickets for the Installation and Festival of St Andrew are now available from Grand Lodge. This will be a unique week in Scottish Freemasonry – one that I commend to all of you. If you don’t have your tickets yet – don’t delay – they are selling fast.

An additional item on the Monday agenda will be the Installation of Brother Christopher M Wong as District Grand Master of the Far East. This will take place in Grand Lodge on the Monday evening and a warm invitation is extended to Brethren to attend. This will bring Grand Lodge fully up to date with all Provincial and District Installations – my sincere thanks to Grand Secretary and Grand Lodge staff for managing to engineer three years into one year.

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,

You will no doubt have been kept up to speed with Hurricane Fiona through news bulletins at home. We were incredibly fortunate – it passed to the west of us in St John’s and moved north hitting the west side of the island and Nova Scotia hard. We had some high winds and rain early in the Saturday morning but that was as bad as it got. 

The Installation of Brother Warren Dinham went well, and everyone seemed happy with the entire day. The Brethren in Newfoundland and Labrador know how to organise successful events – their attention to detail was first class and the day ran very smoothly.

On Sunday morning we attended the morning service at Wesley United Church. We received a very warm welcome from the Minister, the Rev Bill Mercer, who conducted a very enjoyable service with a powerful sermon based on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Thereafter we enjoyed lunch at Woodstock with many of the Brethren and their wives.

On Monday we travelled to the picturesque village of Brigus where we were able to enjoy a leisurely walk before heading to Cupids – a neighbouring town. There we had lunch before visiting the Legacy Centre and an Archaeological site where they are investigating the first ever English settlement in Canada by Governor John Guy in 1610. It was a most interesting visit and quite remarkable to witness how they are piecing together ruins from 400 years ago into an understandable story today.

Our final night in St John’s saw us back in Freemasons’ Hall where we enjoyed dinner, made by the Brethren, before attending a meeting of Lodge St Andrew where we witnessed five candidates – two from Lodge St Andrew, two from Lodge Conception and one from Lodge Northcliffe being passed to the FC Degree. A tremendous evening of Masonic Fellowship with over 50 Brethren in attendance.

We had a tremendous time in Newfoundland and Labrador. The welcome, hospitality, and friendship we experienced was of the highest order. Thank you, Newfoundland and Labrador.

SCFS

• It was a pleasure to publish a post from Brother Jim Kerr, DGM, District of Central South Africa, sharing news of the excellent support of  Gary Talbot, Master, and Lodge Athol, No. 1442, to various Homes and Feeding Schemes in the District.

• Our Overseas Membership has risen to 1838 This is thanks to new members joining us from the following Lodges: Mount Lebanon, No. 1312, and Trinity, No. 1846 (Lebanon), Civil and Military, No. 726 (Bermuda), Jordan, No. 1339 (Jordan), and Plus Ultra, No. 1856 (Sierra Leone and The Gambia). The largest increase in membership was from the District of Lebanon.

• We now have 1609ICMs (International Constitution Members) - brethren belonging to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS. These brethren are important in spreading news worldwide of the wonderful support given to others by our brethren as shown in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase. This week that group was boosted by new members joining from 11different Masonic constitutions: GL of Utah, United GL of Victoria, GL of Alberta, GL of Pennsylvania, UGLE, GL of South Africa, GL of British Columbia and Yukon, GL of the Philippines, GL of Ireland, and the GL of Greece.

• Congratulations are extended to Brother William E McCraw, Chaplain of Golden Spike Lodge, No. 6, under the Grand Lodge of Utah, who is our 1600th

• In addition, a very special welcome was extended to Brother George Grant, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia. 

**We would encourage our Overseas Lodges and Districts to continue sharing news of their excellent support of others and look forward to publishing further posts from them.**

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,

This week I am writing to you from a wet and windy St John’s in Newfoundland and Labrador with the promise of hurricanes at the weekend.

Grand Secretary and I arrived here at 01.00 on Thursday morning. We are delighted to be accompanied by Brother Alex Craib, Junior Grand Standard Bearer and Brother Dr Douglas Nicol, PGM of Aberdeenshire East.

Our day started with a visit to Government House where we were given a most interesting tour before meeting with the Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Judy May Foote. What a charming lady who was well acquainted with Freemasonry. From there we headed to Lodge Conception No 1679 where we joined the Brethren for lunch. While at lunch, all our phones erupted into life saying that Conception Bay area was going into immediate lockdown due to a gunman on the loose and we were not to leave the building. Lunch was thereafter extended until shortly after 14.30 when the police sent out a message to the effect that a 31-year-old male had been arrested and that the lockdown was over.

Next stop was to visit the District Grand Tyler, Brother Bill Smith, who was in the process of moving into his new home in the Masonic Park site. The homes have two bedrooms, an open plan living room / kitchen area and a large storage space that incorporates a washing machine and fittings etc. We then headed to another part of the Park where we met Past DGM Robert Smith and his wife Sylvia. Brother Smith will be my acting Grand Senior Warden at the Installation Ceremony.

Also on the Masonic Park site is Freemasons’ Hall. A magnificent building with excellent facilities. 

We then had time to head back to the hotel to freshen up before returning to the Freemasons’ Hall where we had the pleasure to meet with many of the Brethren and their wives. It was a splendid night with good entertainment and outstanding hospitality.

Today, Friday, Grand Secretary and I had a working breakfast with senior members of the District before visiting Lodge MacKay, No 1129, Lodge Harbour Grace No 476, Lodge Carbonear No 1043, and Lodge Hearts Content No 1275. Tonight, we will have a private dinner with the DGM, Brother Gary Warren Dinham

Tomorrow is the Installation and Banquet which I will report on next week. That said, the weather forecast for the weekend is that we will be hit by Hurricane Fiona!

SCFS

Over the past few weeks, the membership of brethren from Lodges located outside Scotland has continued to grow and now stands at 1832. 

• Approaching our 1600th ICM (International Constitution Members - brethren belonging to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS and who are important in spreading news worldwide of the wonderful support given to others by our brethren), we have now recorded 1594  This week, that group was boosted by new members joining from Masonic constitutions such as: GL of Mississippi, UGLE, and GL of Japan. 
• In addition, a significant number of brethren joined from the Grand Lodge of Ukraine, with particular reference having to be made to Lodge Golden Acacia, No. 4. 

**We would encourage our Overseas Lodges and Districts to continue sharing news of their excellent support of others and look forward to publishing further posts from them. **

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,

During the past week we have been watching the activities associated with the death of the Queen. Throughout all the activity in Scotland we were all so very proud of the role that Past Grand Master, Brother Dr Joseph John Morrow CBE KStJ KC DL FRSE, Lord Lyon King of Arms played in the entire proceedings. He was incredibly busy behind the scenes as well as his public appearances of Reading the Proclamation, preceding the Royal Family during State Processions to mention but two of his duties. I am sure that you would wish to join with me in congratulating Brother Morrow for the tremendous job he has done throughout the period of mourning.

I was greatly privileged to be present at the Memorial Service in St Giles Church, Edinburgh representing all Scottish Freemasons at home and abroad. It was a truly memorable service which commenced with a fine selection of organ music played by Jordan English, Assistant Organist in St Giles followed by five choral pieces sung by the Choir of St Giles under the direction of the Master of Music, Michael Harris.

The service proper commenced with the well drilled coffin-bearers bringing Her Majesty’s into the Church followed by the Royal Party. The congregation sang “All people that on earth do dwell” after which the service was conducted by the Minister of St Giles, Rev Calum MacLeod. The lessons were read by Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister, the Most Rev Leo Cushley and the Most Rev Mark Strange while the Eulogy was given by the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields. Another highlight during the service was the singing of a Gaelic setting of the 118^th Psalm by Karen Matheson. It was a truly fitting service of thanksgiving for the life of Her Majesty the Queen.

On behalf of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, Grand Secretary has written a letter of condolence to the HM the King, and I have written to the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, Brother HRH the Duke of Kent, a cousin of the Queen.

SCFS

Our membership of brethren from Lodges located outside Scotland continues to grow. Reference this week must be made to Lodge Ivanhoe, No. 879, in the District of Western Australia, and to Lodge Ntshe, No. 1746, in the District of Botswana, for adding to our overall total. 

• We now also have 1587ICMs (International Constitution Members) - brethren belonging to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS. These brethren are important in spreading news worldwide of the wonderful support given to others by our brethren, and of the points of interest detailed in GMM’s Newsletter. This week that group was boosted by new Members joining from Masonic constitutions such as: GL of Victoria, United GL of Queensland, UGLE(Bermuda), GL of Ukraine, GL of the Philippines, GL of Illinois, and the GL of Bolivia. 
• We look forward to welcoming our 1600th ICM in the near future. 

**We would encourage our Overseas Lodges and Districts to continue sharing news of their excellent support of others and look forward to publishing further posts from them.**

Next week, Grand Secretary and I will travel to St John’s in Newfoundland to carry out the long overdue installation of our District Grand Master, Brother Warren Dinham.

As you are all aware, we have been trying our level best to catch up on three years of Provincial and District Grand Lodge installations. I am delighted to report that we are almost there – all Provincial Grand Masters have been installed, Brother Dinham will be installed on 24^th September, the new DGM of Gibraltar Brother Paul Villalta will be installed on 15^th October and the DGM of the Far East, Brother Christopher Wong will be installed here in Edinburgh on Monday 21^st November. That will bring us fully up to date until we start in February 2023 with the new PGM’s and DGM’s whose Commissions will take effect from 2^ndFebruary.

Likewise, we are working hard to catch up on Lodge Celebrations. It is important that we mark all milestone events in our Lodges even although Covid has maybe put them back a year or two.

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,

It is with deepest regret that we were informed yesterday of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As you will all be aware by now, Grand Secretary issued notice last night that all Masonic activity has been cancelled during the official period of national mourning, which commenced on the 8^th September and will continue until after the funeral service on Monday 19^th September. Masonic activity will resume on Tuesday 20^th September.

I am sure that those of you who attended the Memorial Service last Sunday – either in person or via the link – were very impressed by the solemnity and dignity of the entire service. The opening Proclamation by the Lord Lyon, present in all his finery, set the tone for the service. A powerful and meaningful sermon from Brother Rev Mark Johnstone, and a very apt and fitting Act of Remembrance by our own Senior Grand Chaplain, Brother Rev Dr Angus Kerr, made for a truly memorable service. I thought the singing was magnificent, enhanced greatly by the Cathedral Choir conducted by Andrew Forbes and the superb organ music from Professor Malcolm Sim. My sincere thanks to everyone who assisted in bringing it all together on the day. I have no doubt that those who lost loved ones would have been truly moved by the occasion and I hope and trust that the service has helped to bring a sense of hope and comfort to all.

The 4^th International Scottish Masonic Conference

The Conference Committee have been working extremely hard and the programme for the Conference is now taking shape. Our Overseas Brethren and their wives are coming in large numbers and we look forward to welcoming them all. The numbers attending from the home Lodges and Provinces are not so large so, let me encourage our home Brethren to give serious consideration to being there. The Keynote speakers include Bro William Semple, Grand Secretary, Bro Douglas Gray, Grand Master of Ireland, and Brother Dr Joseph J Morrow. There will be at least another seven main speakers, discussion groups and social events, even a chat with three Grand Masters. On the Monday night, I will have the pleasure of Installing the District Grand Master of the Far East, Brother Christopher Wong. On Tuesday evening there will be a social event in Grand Hall and a quieter night on Wednesday evening before the Grand Lodge Installation and the Festival of St Andrew on the Thursday. On the Friday the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter Convocation will take place in Grand Hall. This will be a tremendous opportunity to meet old friends and make new friends – I look forward to seeing you there.

SCFS

Our membership of brethren from Lodges located outside Scotland continues to grow. Reference this week must be made to Lodge St. Michael, No. 1634, in the District of the Bahamas, Lodge Classic, No. 1678, and Lodge Remo, No. 1682, both in the District of Nigeria, for adding to this total. 

• There are now 1830 brethren in the SCFS group from our Lodges overseas.
• In addition, we also have 1571 ICMs (International Constitution Members) - brethren belonging to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS. These brethren are important in spreading news worldwide …both of the wonderful support given to others by our brethren and of the points of interest detailed in GMM’s Newsletter. This week that group was boosted by new Members joining from Masonic constitutions such as the Grand Lodge of Irelandand the Grand Lodge of Alberta.
• Reacting to requests from an increasing number of these ICMs who wish to be kept informed about the SCFS group and also what is happening in Lodges etc. under the Scottish Constitution, a distribution list of the weekly update Newsletter from GMM has now been established.

**We would encourage our Overseas Lodges and Districts to continue sharing news of their excellent support of others and look forward to publishing further posts from them.**

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of chairing a meeting of our District Grand Masters by Zoom. Twenty-one of the twenty-six Districts were present, and one of our two Superintendencies was part of the company. I was very impressed by the positive, upbeat messages coming from all present. We heard of growing numbers of initiates, focussed agendas to help struggling Lodges, innovative and creative projects from new newsletters to tree planting. Health and wellness initiatives taking place in many places and charitable functions of all descriptions. I am indebted to the Brethren whose enthusiasm, commitment and dedication shone through the entire meeting. 

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

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