Dear Brethren,  

I am writing in the first week of December only a week after attending the Installation and the Festival of Saint Andrew at Grand Lodge. I was delighted to see so many Dunbartonshire Brethren in attendance and I would encourage more to attend if possible, in the years that lie ahead. We witnessed Brother William Ramsay McGhee being Installed once more as our Grand Master Mason and we here in Dunbartonshire wish him well. On the day of many highlights, it was wonderful to see that HRH The Duke of Kent was in attendance as the Principal Guest as the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England. HRH was in attendance to mark fifty-five years since he was made an Honorary Member of the Grand Lodge of Scotland.

With HRH speaking fondly of Scottish Freemasonry, it was a meeting in my masonic journey that I shall never forget. At the Festival that followed the Pro Grand Master Brother Jonathan Spence of the UGL of England who was accompanied by Brother Marsh Grand Secretary spoke of our shared practices and encouraged even closer relationships in the future. Another highlight to share with you was my deep sense of pride when, for the first time in living memory, one of our Lodge Masters was invited to reply to the Toast to the Daughter Lodges. Brother David Muir Master of Lodge Leven St John No. 170 spoke with a confidence and a passion that had the assembled brethren enthralled. His contribution was outstanding and a fitting end to a wonderful day in Edinburgh. This past year has been a busy one for the Province and with major changes at Grand Lodge, both in personnel and in the new Administration and Strategies, it has certainly had its challenges. Charity has been front and centre this past year and, as I write, we continue to gather money in aid of the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat, our chosen charity. Later this year we will make a full presentation but for the moment I would thank you all for a fantastic effort. Likewise, over the next few days, I will make cheque presentations to both East and West Dunbartonshire Food Banks and these will be made in your name, helping those less fortunate in our communities. Brethren, please look after yourselves and your families and have a Peaceful Christmas and a Happy New year.  

David S. Irving
Provincial Grand Master