Courier and Advertiser Friday, 28th February 1997
Masons to Mark 250th Birthday
Inverary’s Free Masons are busily making preparations to mark a remarkable milestone - the Lodge’s 250th anniversary. First established in 1747, Lodge Inveraray, No. 50 is one of the oldest Masonic Lodges in Scotland and is thought to the oldest organisation in Argyll still in existence.
Early members included such distinguished figures as the novelist Neil Munro, Gaelic poet Duncan Bhan MacIntyre and the Ardrishaig-born missionary James Chalmers, who was killed by cannibals while ministering the South Pacific. The Lodge’s first Grand Master was Brother Captain Duncan Campbell of Inverawe, a member of one of Argyll’s leading county families.
Numbered amongst today’s enthusiastic members is His Grace, the Duke of Argyll.
Three days of celebrations to be attended by senior representatives from Lodges around Britain and Ireland will start at the Lodge’s monthly meeting on Friday, March 14, which will see its two newest recruits initiated.
On the Saturday, within the Tapestry Room at Inveraray Castle, a Rededication Ceremony will be conducted by the Right Honourable, the Lord Burton, the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason, Scottish Masonry’s most senior figure. A distinguished company is likely to include Lord Elgin, a past Grand Master of Scotland.
After the ceremony the gathering, numbering almost 200, will move to the dining hall of Inveraray Grammar School there to enjoy a celebratory dinner, prepared and served by the Schools Catering Service and presided over by Lodge Lochfyne’s Right Worshipful Master, Craig Campbell of Badden Farm, Lochgilphead, who will introduce the various speakers. Special guests will include the Provincial Grand Master of Argyll and The Isles, Geoffrey Hunter Spearman, Tighnabruaich.
Following dinner, the company will move to the function suite of the George Hotel, where the Masons will be joined by wives and others at a celebratory social evening at which entertainment will be provided by Duncan Forgrieve and his band from Oban and various local artists.
On Sunday, Lodge members joined by some of the movement’s most senior figures will parade at Inveraray Castle when, headed by a pipe band, they will revive an ancient tradition by marching to the Parish Church, there to join the congregation at morning service conducted by the Rev. Brian Wilkinson. At the conclusion of the service, and once again led by the pipe band, the Masons will march back to the Castle before dispersing to the Parish Church Hall for morning coffee and snacks.
Commented a former Inveraray Grand Master, George Johnston, Furnace: ‘We are very proud of our Lodge’s long history and see these celebrations as being significant for Masonry throughout Britain.’
Courier and AdvertiserFriday, 28th February 1997