PGL Argyll & the Isles

Freemasonry in Argyll, Bute and Arran, Scotland

News

Installation at St Modan No 985

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Lodge St Modan, No 985 got 2020 off to a fantastic start with a huge attendance from within and outwith the province, to witness the Installation of Master Elect, Bro., Alan Bruce MacLeod and office-bearers. Depute Provincial Grand Master, Bro., Kenneth Harvey, was on hand to offer the congratulations and best wishes of PGL, to the new RWM.

The DPGM paid tribute to the great ceremony performed within the confines of a crowded Lodge, by Installing Masters, Bro’s Robert Cruickshanks, Iain Alexander, and Hamish Emslie also warmly welcomed all visitors to the province, thanking the PGM, Douglas Philand, for the privilege of leading the deputation. 

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Visit to Lodge No 335 by PGL and Br. Moises Gomez

Lodge Dunoon Argyll No 335 recently raised the grand sum of £312 to donate to Prostate Scotland. Tuesday, 26 Nov 2019, saw the PGL visitation, and what a splendid night it was. A tremendous degree, followed by a delightful and inspirational talk on some aspects of freemasonry by Br. Moises Gomez from the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, who is visiting the country fundraising for Prostate Scotland. He has been engaged in a series of talks relating to his experience as a first responder to the attacks on the Twin Towers, addressing full audiences at Grand Lodge and Glasgow City Halls, as well as visiting Argyll and Ayrshire.

The PGM enjoyed several days showing off some of the sights of mid-Argyll to Br. Gomez and his wife, such as Kilmartin church, Dunadd, Inveraray Castle and Crinan. He expressed sincere thanks to the Master of the Lodge, Glenn Christie, for the donation of 312 and to Br. Gomez for his uplifting presentation and for honouring our Province with his visit. Sincere gratitude also to all who attended and made PGL and Br. Gomez so welcome. This donation will be added to the fantastic sum of £550,000 already raised by Scottish Freemasons on behalf of Prostate Scotland.

Some photos of the Master and members of Lodge Dunoon Argyll No.335, PGM and Br. Gomez and members of PGL following the visitation.

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Installation at Lodge Oban Commerical No 180, 2019.

There was a massive attendance at the recent Installation of Master Kenneth Pearson of the Oban Commercial Lodge, No 180. However it was also to prove a very special day for one unsuspecting brother, quietly watching proceedings of his 51st successive installation of his own lodge. Addressing the brethren, PGL Representative, Substitute PGM, John Stewart, asked PG Secretary Jimmy McCallum to read a presentation from the Grand Lodge of Scotland and Provincial Grand Lodge, awarding the Honorary Rank of Substitute PGM to Bro. Neil Horne in recognition of 8 years’ service as PG Chaplain and 10 years as PG Secretary.
 
Much to everyone’s relief Neil accepted this fine accolade and, after the Obligation, was congratulated with glowing words of tribute by PGM Douglas Philand, SPGM John Stewart and IPPGM Kenneth R. Johnson.
 
The PGM also wishes to extend grateful appreciation to the newly installed RWM Pearson, office-bearers and all brethren present, for allowing the PGL, to intrude upon a wonderful day and perform this special duty for Bro. Horne.

Visit from  Lodge Spazio-Tempo, No.11, Bologna

Lodge Loch Fyne, was recently privileged to receive a visit from four brethren from Lodge Spazio-Tempo, No 11, Bologna, here to attend the annual installation of Master of the Lodge, Donald Crawford and his office-bearers. The two Lodges have had a mutual friendship going back to the first visit to Italy, by Lodge Loch Fyne, on 15 March 2008, with several visits home and abroad since then.

On this occasion, we were joined by the Master of Lodge Spazio-Tempo, Andrea, PM Nico, SW, Mario and EA, Mauro. The brethren landed at Edinburgh airport and were soon whisked into town by PMs Andrew Kerr and Jimmy McCallum, chaperons for the day. After some fine food and fluids, we paid a visit to Grand Lodge, where we made a tour of the museum and were privileged enough to literally bump into the GMM and PGMM, who warmly welcomed our Italian friends into Grand Lodge.

We had to abandon plans to visit Rosslyn Chapel as time was getting on, but we also made a stop at the Kelpies and George Hotel, Inveraray, on our way home. The next day, after breakfast, we made for the top of the “Rest and be Thankful,” taking in the vista of snow-covered mountains and glen below us. Continuing the gastro theme, we next paid a visit to Fyne Ales brewery, enjoying a tour around the premises followed by a tasting session and further sampling of the products available. Then it was onwards to Inveraray for a visit to the castle, before the brethren returned home to a feast of freshly caught lobsters, by Gavin Allan. These boys love their food!

Unfortunately, for them, it was soon time to prepare for the installation, which was also a great success. The brethren were most warmly received by one and all, with Br., Andrea joining our RWM for the ceremony and afterwards, making a toast from visiting brethren from out with the country! Sensibly, they did not wait till the end of the excellent harmony, (unlike some), as another day of exploring lay ahead on Saturday, as 8 members joined them, for an exhilarating boat trip to Jura to visit the distillery and have a meal at the hotel. Notice a theme here?

We were fortunate to have a nice, calm day, which afforded us the privilege of showing off the beautiful scenery and wildlife on our doorstep, spotting dolphins, porpoises and various bird life, as well as the historical sights and mountains of Argyll. The distillery tour went down well, very well and again, more than a few healthy specimens were purchased for sampling at a later stage. After a fine meal in the Jura Hotel, we were soon cruising back to the mainland, paying a quick visit to Eilean Mor, before the final stretch up the fjord-like Loch Sween into Tayvallich, where nothing would do like a wee visit to the Inn to warm up a bit!

Like all good things, this visit must come to an end, so we stopped off at the 754 Social Club, to say our farewells, with pledges made for future visits, so hopefully, this friendship will continue for many a year to come.

Thank you, Lodge Spazio-Tempo and the brethren who helped make it so enjoyable for them – you know who you are! Here are a few pics from the visit.