Brethren,

Hopefully you are aware of the Grand Lodge Covid-19 Challenge Appeal, launched on 19 of May, which offers support of up to £2000 for any one cause and I would encourage all lodges to make use of it to benefit their local community.

The Provincial Grand Lodge also intends to give this consideration and would welcome any suggestions that PGL itself might support.
 
Also, you will be aware of the PGL “Passport Scheme” to recognise the achievements of brethren who visit all the lodges in the Province, by the award of a special lapel pin. Clearly we have no idea when meetings will resume and thus enable visits to all lodges to be completed.

Meantime, we invite lodges to nominate one deserving member that they know to have visited all 18 lodges in the Province to be awarded an “Honorary” passport lapel pin in recognition of their endeavours. The Lodge can then arrange for its presentation (social distancing compliant), hopefully make it a special moment and also be of interest to other members, etc.
 
        As always, stay safe brethren.
 
                        PGM.

IMPORTANT NOTICE!
 
Further to the points contained in Memo 4 from the GMM, re Coronavirus and other relevant issues, I have to advise the PGM, after much deliberation and consultation with Commissioned Office-bearers, has taken the difficult decision to formally suspend all masonic activity within the Province as of Monday 16 March, 2020. This is primarily to help protect the health of members and lessen the potential spread of Coronavirus in our communities. This decision will be reviewed in the first week of August, 2020.
 
The PGM hopes brethren will understand the reasoning behind this decision and prays we can all resume our masonry in happy, healthy state before too long.
 
Although our meetings may be stopped it is our hope and intention to ensure as much masonic fun and business can be carried out online, so get your thinking caps on. More to follow!
 
Please notify any brethren you think may not be online!
 
Yours faithfully and fraternally,
 
Jimmy McCallum
PG Sec
A&I

​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, Hamish Emslie and also warmly welcomed all visitors to the province, thanking the PGM, Douglas Philand for the privilege of leading the deputation. 

A very nice installation in our "other" Province, recently, at Lodge Glencoe, No.884, where Master Elect John Docherty was installed for his second year in office by PM John Kennedy of Lodge Lochiel No.1200. There was a very good turnout from within and without the province to see proceedings, with an Installing Board of 24 reigning or PMs!
Provincial Grand Lodge was represented by Depute PGM Bro. Kenneth Harvey, who made special comment of the dedicated efforts of various brethren to keep the Lodge going despite difficult times, and wished newly installed Master and office-bearers all the best for the coming year.
John was delighted to be supported by two of his brethren, who travelled from Lodge Carron No.139 to be there and joined the excellent harmony which followed. Thank you 884 for the very enjoyable meeting and hospitality.

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 on 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 Master of the Lodge, Glenn Christie for the donation of 312 and to Br. Gomez for his uplifting presentation and honouring our Province by 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.

Lodge Loch Fyne recently made a fine donation of £240 to Martyn’s Monday Club, a charity mainly based in Oban, which provides peer-to-peer support groups, for both men and women over 18, to help them through life when struggling with mental health, feeling down, sad or lonely. They also aim to challenge the stigma of mental health and discrimination in a friendly, safe environment, where like-minded people can mix together, talk about pretty much anything over a wee a cuppa, a biscuit, or, cake, or two.

The sum was raised from a raffle following the recent, successful annual installation ceremony of the Master and Office-bearers of the Lodge. Newly installed Master Donald Crawford made Martyn’s Monday Club his choice of charity, before presenting a cheque to club representative, Robert Cruickshanks, who said he was very humbled by the kind gesture and sure the money will be put to good use. The charity also has a website and calendar for sale, for anyone wishing to know more, or contribute to their good work
​
https://www.martynsmondayclub.co.uk/charity-calendar-2020.html

Saturday, 23rd, Nov, 2019, saw a huge turnout of brethren from all points of the compass, near and far, at the Oban Commercial Lodge No.180, for the annual installation of new Master, Br., Kenneth Pearson and his office-bearers, as well as the chance to congratulate IPM, Archie MacCulloch on his fine work and leadership of the Lodge over the past two years. In a sometimes emotional ceremony, the RWM, was installed by his father, Bro. Tam Pearson in a most dignified manner, with the occasional moments of light hearted, subtle humour. There were at 16 reigning masters and upwards of 30 PMs in the IB. Bro. Pearson was most ably assisted by PM Sandy MacLeod and Kenneth Stewart, installing the new office-bearers into their respective offices.
 
The afternoon also saw PM Neil Horne accorded the great honour of being presented with the Honorary PGL rank of Substitute PGM by reigning PGM, Bro. Douglas T. Philand and PGL Rep for the day, SPGM, John Stewart, while Bro. Donald Malloch was presented with a gift in recognition of his sterling service as Substitute Master over the years.
 
A great festive board then ensued with many fine speeches, toasts, refreshment and music. The new RWM said he was delighted to see several members return to the Lodge for the first time in a while. Likewise, he expressed appreciation to everyone who made the effort to come along. A great day was had by all. Special thanks to the Installing Masters and Archie MacCulloch for organizing everything. Also, thanks to Colin and Scott for the 1st class meal and the stewards who served it and for dealing with the high increase in numbers so well. Thanks also to Br. Grant H. Nicholson, for the photos!