Last evening, 13 November, our friends at Lodge St. John Tulliallan conferred an excellent Fellowcraft degree. It was part of the annual travelling gavel between us in memory of their Past Depute Master Bro. Alastair McGregor.
IPM Bro. Thomas J. Campbell PM, DSC was in the chair as our own RWM was working in England. Included in our visitors was Bro. Juan José Benitez-Quintana PM. Originally from Spain now resident in Alva, Bro Benitez-Quintana is Director of Ceremonies of Lodge Septem Fratres de Ceuta (North Africa) No. 196 and a Past Master of Lodge Trafalgar No. 168 Campo de Gibraltar.
The Attendance Book noted 66 brethren from 11 lodges representing inside the Province, outside the Province, Spain and North Africa.
RWM Bro. John Cowan PM, of Lodge Tulliallan No. 598, Honorary Member of 312 led a mixed deputation of 22. The degree team conducted Bro. Fraser Stevenson through a flawless exemplification of the Fellowcraft degree.
Included in their team were IPM Bro. Michael Empson of Lodge Ladywell No. 1474 who stood in as Senior Deacon and Bro. Stuart Stirling PM Lodge Carron No. 139 who delivered the Tracing Board lecture. The latter is a piece of ritual longer than ours that emphasises and encourages study, learning and self-improvement. In his later remarks Bro. Cowan gave particular thanks to Bro. Stirling who, as RWPGM, is very busy at this time of year.
IPM Bro. Campbell presented Bro. Cowan with the McGregor Gavel and a bottle of malt whisky from the RWM with the thanks and good wishes of the Lodge’s Office-bearers and brethren.
Votes of thanks and fraternal greetings ensued from Master-elect of Lodge Polmont No. 793 Bro. Ian Simpson in behalf of the Province’s lodges. Then Bro. Juan José Benitez-Quintana PM extended fraternal greetings from his own lodge, affiliate Lodge and Bro. Txema Oleaga the Grand Master of Spain.
At the meetings end it was confirmed that we will confer a degree at Lodge St. John Tulliallan No. 598 in 2026.
