The Grand Lodge of Scotland /     Poppyscotland 2018

Sunday 23 September

Day 13 The Grand Lodge of Scotland / Poppyscotland joint venture to commemorate the end of the Great War in 1918 took us to Kilmarnock in Ayrshire and Kilwinning in the Province of Kilwinning.

Sunday 23 September

Day 13 – 1.30pm

Arrived at the Masonic Temple in London Road, Kilmarnock. Another fine dry day.

Welcomed by Bro. William Steel PGM of Ayrshire.

PGM Bro.William Steel, Provost Jim Todd and the WSS

We were delighted to welcome to today’s ceremony:

Provost Jim Todd of East Ayrshire Council

PGM Bro. William Steel

Provost Jim Todd, PGM Bro. William Steel and Mr Gordon Michie with the WSS

Provost Jim Todd, PGM Bro. William Steel and the Brethren from Ayrshire

Our grateful thanks to the PGL of Ayrshire for undertaking the arrangements for today’s ceremony along with the hospitality provided afterwards.

Sunday 23 September

Day 13 – 2.30pm

After a short drive from Kilmarnock arrived in Kilwinning

PGM Bro. Tom Wood and RWM Bro. James Savage of the Mother Lodge met us on arrival.

The now customary group photograph in the Mother Lodge Temple prior to visiting the Abbey.

PGM Bro. Tom Wood, Mr.Gordon Michie of Poppyscotland and RWM Bro. James Savage of the Mother Lodge with the WSS.

Mr. Gordon Michie of Poppyscotland receives a cheque from PGM Bro. Tom Wood.

Group photo of the WSS in the Mother Lodge of Scotland

It goes without saying that the hospitality received on this tour has been outstanding and today in Kilwinning that hospitality continued.

Grateful thanks to the PGL of Kilwinning and the Mother Lodge.

The Grand Lodge of Scotland / Poppyscotland 2018

Day 11 of The Grand Lodge of Scotland / Poppyscotland joint venture to commemorate the end of the Great War in 1918 took us to Dumfries and Stranraer.

Saturday 15 September

Day 11 – 10.30am

Arrived in Dumfries, another dry day.

Welcomed by Bro. Robert Hughes PGM of Dumfriesshire.

Setting off for the War Memorial

Ceremony Begins

PGM and the WSS

PGM Bro. Robert Hughes presents a cheque to Mr. Gordon Michie of Poppyscotland with Bro. Jimmy Mair, President of the WSS looking on.

Our sincere thanks to the PGL of Dumfriesshire and the Brethren of the Masonic Hall in George Street. Especially Bro. Graham and his good lady for their hospitality.

Saturday 15 September

Day 11 – 2pm

Prior to this afternoon’s ceremony we assembled in the precincts of the Castle of St.John in Stranraer to meet local ladies who were in the process of knitting Poppies to raise funds for Poppyscotland,

PGM Bro.Dennis Warren gave us a very warm welcome to Stranraer and the PGL Of Galloway.

Lodge Stranraer Kilwinning provided hospitality prior to and after the ceremony.

Grateful thanks to the Province and the Lodge.

Saturday 15 September

Day 11 – 3pm

Brethren assemble at the War Memorial

Members of the Public observe the proceedings

PGM Bro. Dennis Warren lays the PGL Wreath

Assembled Brethren after the ceremony

PGM Bro. Dennis Warren presents a cheque to Mr. Gordon Michie of Poppyscotland with Bro. Jimmy Mair, President of the WSS looking on.

The Grand Lodge of Scotland / Poppy Scotland 2018

The Grand Lodge of Scotland / Poppy Scotland joint venture (days 8 and 9) to commemorate the end of the Great War in 1918 travelled from Inverness to Aberdeen over the weekend of 1st and 2nd of September. The weather being very favourable on both days.

Saturday 1 September

Day 8 – 10.30am

Arrived in Inverness at the Social Club of Lodge Old Inverness St.John No.6, Lodge St.Mary’s Operative No.339, Lodge St.Columba No.1295 and Lodge Drummosie No.1438 to be met by PGM of Inverness-shire Bro. Vincent Geddes.

PGM Bro. Geddes and the WSS

Caravell Gardens, Inverness

Caravell Gardens, Inverness

Thank you to the PGL of Inverness-shire and the Daughter Lodges for assisting in organising this morning’s event and their hospitality on the day.

Saturday 1 September

Day 8 – 1.30pm

A pleasant drive along the A96 turning off

for Lossiemouth where PGM of Moray and Nairn Bro. Ron. Fowler met us.

Saturday 1 September

Day 8 – 2.00pm

Lodge Pigaveny No. 681 very kindly provided further hospitality.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Saturday 1 September

Day 8 – 4 pm

Short drive to Buckie to be met by PGM of Banffshire Bro. Ally Coull.

Thank you to the PGL of Banffshire and the Daughter Lodge.

Day 8 drew to a close with the weather being kind all day and some relaxation time in the evening in Buckie.

Special thanks to Lodge Gordon’s No.589, Lodge Craigroan No. 1247 and Lodge Bow Fiddle No. 1349 for allowing the WSS to bed down overnight in the Lodge and for their hospitality.

Saturday 2nd September

Day 9 – 10am

Arrived in Turiff to be greeted with an early morning breakfast at Lodge St.Congan No.922 – bacon rolls, roll and sausage BBQ served style outside.

PGM of Aberdeenshire West Bro. Andy Lawrie met an increased number of WSS in attendance today.

Bretheren assemble at the local war memorial

Bro. Brian Morton presenting a cheque to Mr. Gordon Michie of Poppyscotland with PGM Bro. Andy Lawrie in attendance,

Allison was a local resident who lived adjacent to the War Memorial, found out what was
happening and very kindly made a donation to Poppyscotland.

PGM Bro. Andy Lawrie with the WSS and some members of the RBL

Day 9, venue 1 is off to a good start, thanks to the PGL of Aberdeenshire West, their Brethren and Lodge St.Congan No.922

Saturday 2nd September

Day 9 – 12.30pm

A short drive to Ellon and met by the PGM of Aberdeenshire East Bro. Ron Simpson and his Brethren.

The hospitality as always was greatly appreciated and provided by Lodge Ythan No.
892.

Saturday 2nd September

Day 9 – 1pm

Headed off to the War Memorial about 100m along the road. The procession was organised by a retired Drum Major.

Brethren within the temple of Lodge Ythan No.892

Mr. Gordon Michie of Poppyscotland receiving a cheque from PGM Bro. Ron Simpson

We say our goodbyes and head off to the final leg of our journey today, the Masonic Temple in Crown Street, Aberdeen

Arrived at the beautiful Masonic Temple in Crown Street, Aberdeen to be met by Depute PGM of Aberdeen City, Bro. Harry Ord.

All ceremonies to date have been different and very meaningful in their own way. Today we assembled outside the Lodge room and were piped to the War Memorial.

Saturday 2nd September

Day 9 – 2.15pm

I mentioned previously all ceremonies were different and so was this one.

Depute PGM Bro. Harry Ord addresses the assembly, where the wreaths were laid at Altar commissioned to commemorate the end of the Great War.

Depute PGM and the WSS

Day 9 draws to a close and another successful weekend meeting many Brethren and their families and continuing to raise funds for Poppyscotland.

Depute PGM Bro. Harry Ord and the WSS

The Grand Lodge of Scotland / Poppyscotland 2018

The Grand Lodge of Scotland / Poppyscotland joint venture to commemorate the end of the Great War in 1918 continued with days 5 and 6 bringing us to the north of the country, visiting Dingwall in Ross and Cromarty, Kirkwall in Orkney on the Saturday followed by Wick in Caithness and finally Golspie in Sutherland on the Sunday. The Widows Sons Scotland continued to provide the common link with all Provinces by riding their motorcycles and providing a very visible presence.

Saturday 18 August

Day 5 – 9am

Travelled north to Dingwall on the Friday and met 3 Brethren from Shetland (Steve

PGM Robert Cattanach with the WSS

Henry, Alan Balfour and John Callaghan).

Rendezvoused at Lodge Fingal No.318 where the early morning bacon rolls and tea were greatly appreciated. We were greeted by PGM Bro. Robert Cattanach and his Brethren. RWM Bro. Colin Mackintosh Lodge Fingal No.318 presented a cheque to Poppyscotland.

Then off to the Sir Hector MacDonald Memorial overlooking Dingwall to lay the Provincial wreath on behalf of the Province.

At the Sir Hector MacDonald Memorial

At the Sir Hector MacDonald Memorial

At the Sir Hector MacDonald Memorial

Thanks to the PGL of Ross and Cromarty and Lodge Fingal No.318 for providing  refreshments on the day.

Day 5 – 9.45am

Left for the journey to Scrabster and board the ferry to Stromness. The captain  indicated that we would experience ‘pitch and roll’ and therefore would travel east entering Stromess from Scapa Flow.

Bro. Doug Treasurer kindly organised a visit to the bridge of the Hamnavoe and many questions were asked of the Captain. Thanks to Northlink Ferries.

Arrived in Stromness at 4 p.m over an hour latedue to sea conditions to be met by PGM Bro. Colin Corse.

Early start on refreshments at Lodge Kirkwall Kilwinning No. 38

Day 5 – 5.30pm

Departed for St Olaf’s cemetery on the outskirts of Kirkwall where the Province and Daughter Lodges laid wreaths. On arrival at the cemetery it was raining, however, as we made our way to the War Memorial the rain ceased, some sunshine broke out and our ceremony had a dry moment. The wind however continued apace.

Brethren at St. Olaf’s Cemetery

Returned to the Lodge who provided an excellent meal for all and a time for relaxation and good company.

Thank you to the PGL of Orkney and Zetland and Lodge Kirkwall Kilwinning No.38

Sunday 19 August

Day 6 – 7.45am

PGM Bro. Corse kindly provided a lift back to Stromness to catch the return ferry to Scrabster.

Today the sea was much calmer.

Day 6 – 10.30 am

Arrived in Scrabster disembarked and made our way to Wick, Lodge St.Fergus No.466 to be met by PGM Bro. William McLeod and his Brethren.

The PGM Bro. McLeod laid a wreath on behalf of the Province.

The cooperation of the PGL of Caithness and Lodge St. Fergus No.466 was greatly appreciated with today’s arrangements.

The hospitality of the Lodge was greatly appreciated prior to departing to the local  cemetery on the edge of town where many War Graves lay.

Day 6 – 13.45pm

Arrived in Golspie, Lodge St.Andrew No.1318 to be met by IPPGM Bro. Donald Morrison and his Brethren.

The hospitality at Lodge St. Andrew was no different to kindness that we have received throughout this tour to date and much appreciated.

The Brethren and the WSS assembled outside the Lodge and were piped to the adjacent local cemetery were the IPPGM and Masters of the Daughter Lodges laid their wreaths.

Golspie

The Sutherland Branch of the Royal Naval Association were present and made a donation to Poppyscotland.

Thanks are due to the PGL of Sutherland for assisting with today’s arrangements and Lodge St.Andrew No.1318 for their hospitality.

Day 6 was now at an end and the WSS and myself departed for home.