Lodge “The Gael” No. 609

A Brief History of The Lodge

A meeting was held in Graham’s Hotel, Glasgow on the 28th May, 1877 by a body of Freemasons with the object of forming a Masonic Lodge of Gaelic speaking highlanders. Bro. Angus Nicholson, a master mason of Lodge Fortrose No. 108 was elected to be Right Worshipful Master and it was agreed that a petition signed by all the elected office bearers be sent to the Grand Lodge of Scotland to grant a charter for the same and that the Lodge be designated “The Gael”. The petition was also signed by 28 master masons of Glasgow Lodges and 22 maSter masons of Lodges outwith the Province of Glasgow, no less than six being members of Lodge Fortrose, the best wishes of' the Sister Lodges was illustrated by the fact that 13 past masters, 12 signing masters and 8 wardens within the Province sigxea the petition. The chart-er was granted on •the -6th August, 1877 and at a meeting held in the Blythswood Hotel on 18th September, 1877 a committee was formed to make the necessary arrangements for the Consecration of the Lodge and for the installation of the office bearers. The consecration of the Lodge and for the installation ceremonies were carried out by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow on the 9th November, 1877 in the presence of a large member of' visiting brethren. The first regular meeting of the Lodge was held im the Masonic Halls, Hope Street, Glasgow on the 20th December, 1877. The opening ceremony was conducted in gaelic, and after the business was carried out the first two innitiates namely, Dr. Morrison of Edinburgh and Mr. A. MacKenzie of Invemess who were two leading gentlemen in Celtic circles, were innitiatea in gaelic, thereafter they were passed and raised. The Lodge was closed in Gaelic. The meeting place of the Lodge .has been confined to five halls during its history. The first hall was rented from Lodge Commercial at 30 Hope Street, Glasgow and it is interesting to note the rental charges that were paid in the early days. For 24 meetings the sum of £12 was paid and this was inclusive of gas, coal and taxes. A charge of 10/- per night was made for any additional meetings. The Lodge continued to meet at 30 Hope Street until July 1894 when it transferred to 48 SuchiehaII Street where they met until October 1896. The Masonic Temple at 100 West Regent Street then became the home of "The Gael” where we have met up until the present time. In the early days it was often difficult to assemble sufficient brethren to hold a because the greater number of the innitiates were sea-faring men who were often received the three degrees on the same evening to allow them to report to their respective ships to set out on voyages for periods as long as 2-3 years. The practice of conferring the three degrees on the same evening seemed to be a regular occurrence in the early days and reference is made to this in the minutes of the meeting dated 9th January 1890, when it was agreed that when more than one degree was being conferred, that the business should commence at 7.30pm. Such was the stamina of' our fore-fathers. Their enthusiasm is verified by an account of the meeting held on the 9th December 1884 when the installation of the Right Worshipful Master and the office bearers took place. After the installation ceremonial, the Lodge was called from labour to refreshment and was later returned to labour in order to carry out the initiation of a Brother J. Elder. The Lodge was again called from labour to refreshment, when a 'few hours t of harmony was enjoyed. The social activities of the Lodge have always been very popular and early records indicate that many of these had to be restricted to Lodge members because of their popularity. The first record of our Annual Dance being held was on the 15th December 15th December 1883 in the Grand Hotel. During the course of the evening the opportunity was taken to make a presentation to P.M. Bro. D. Cowan, a stalwart in the early days of the Lodge for his services as Right Worshipful Master during a period of 4 years. The Tattie & Herring Supper has always been a very popular event and the first such supper appears to have taken place on the 24th April, 1884. On this occasion it was preceded by a Mark Degree. This incidentally is the first time that mention is made of the Mark Ceremonial being carried out. It is minuted that among those who received the Mark Degree were the Right Worshipful Master, Depute Master, Secretary, Deacons and other office bearers and brethren. An amusing item is minuted with reference to the Tattle and Herring Supper held in 1889, when the inner guard announced the appearance of a large deputation of potatoes and herring outside. The Lodge was immediately called from labour to refreshment and a few hours of harmony was enjoyed. To add to the enjoyment, the Right Worshipful Master danced the highland fling and the Ghilhe Callum. Other social functions which were enjoyed by the brethren and their friends were theatre nights, Whist Drives, evening cruises, ceilidhs etc. which were well attended and from all accounts very successful. The ceremony of the laying of foundation stones for many well known buildings were well represented by brethren of “The Gael” Among the Buildings mentioned are the County Buildings in Paisley, Rothesay Public Hall, Govan Municipal Chambers, Glasgow Bridge and the Masonic Temple, Wherein we now hold our meetings. At the ceremony of laying -the foundation stone of the Masonic Temple in West Regent Street, the deputation was headed by the Lodge pipers wearing the highland garb. We are proud to say that “The Gael” have throughout their history been fortunate in having many distinguished pipers and this is substantiated by the fact that the Offices of Grand Lodge Piper and Provincial Grand Lodge Piper have always been held by Gael members. Throughout the years we can boast of many of our brethren holding office in both Grand Lodge and in the Provincial Grand Lodge. These are far too numerous to mention, but of our surviving brethren we are proud to refer to Past Masters Bro. Neil Beaton, Murdo C. MacGregor, William D. MacLeod and George Campbell. Since its consecration the Lodge has been well known for its charitable work. This is verified by an item which is recorded in the minutes of the meeting held on the 12th December, 1895 wherein the Provincial Grand Lodge expresses its gratitude for our many donations to charity. Reference is also made to the fact that the Provincial Grand Lodge Fund benefited by the sum of approximately £1,100 by the joint efforts of Lodge The Gael and Lodge Clyde in raising funds by means of concerts, an evening cruise and by running a stall at the Bazaar run by Provincial Grand Lodge in the St. Andrew t s Halls. There are also records of' our many contributions throughout the years to both Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge Funds and we are proud to intimate that these donations continue to be made. Benevolence to our own needy brethren has always been one of our main objects. The first record of a collection for Benevolence on the 'Charity Box' as it was then referred to, was on the 12th August, 1880 Then 1 shilling and seven and a half pence was collected. The Benevolent Fund did not appear to be on a proper basis at this stage, although there are many recorded instances of sums of between 2/6 and 5/- being given to casual applicants for benevolence. The first balance sheet published in 1887 showed a cash balance of £3.18 shillings.2 pence (tuppence) in the Benevolent Fund and £6 11 shillings and 3 pence (thrupence) in the General Fund These were the only funds held at that time. The Annuity Fund was established in 1927, to mark the occasion of the Jubilee of' the Lodges and as can be seen from our current Balance Sheet our assets have increased substantially from the first publication showing assets of £10.9.5 to the present figure of £17,278.85. The healthy financial standing of' the Lodge is undoubtedly due to the wisdom of our predecessors in the many sound financial investments which they undertook. As we celebrate our Hundredth year, it is interesting to reflect on the previous 'birthday celebrations which were held. The semi Jubilee in 1902 was the occasion of much rejoiced when a total of 900 freemasons comprising Gael members and deputations from many parts of Scotland assembled. This meeting held the record at that time for the largest attendance at a masonic •meeting ever held in Scotland under the auspices of one Lodge. So large was the attendance that after the main hall at 100 West Regent Street was packed, an overflow meeting was held in the mid hall under the auspices of the charter of Lodge Clyde No. 408. The Right Worshipful Master Bro. Wm. Abercrombie presided over the meeting in the main hall and Past Master Bro. Donald Matheson presided over the overflow meeting. On the occasion Of the Jubilee of the Lodge the distinction was held of being the first Masonic Lodge to have a function in the St. Andrews Halls, where the celebration took place under the chairmanship of the Right Worshipful Masters Bro. Kenneth MacLean, many distinguished brethren were welcomed from Lodges throughout Scotland. Among those present were Bro. Peter MacDonald Past Grand Bard and Bro. Geo. D. Millar P.G.L. J.W. both founder members of the Lodge. To mark the occasion the Right Worshipful Master presented them with Jubilee medals. The grand Hotel was the venue for the celebration of' our Dimond Jubilee in November, 1937 and was presided over by the Right Worshipful Master, Bro. Robert McColl. Grand Lodge of Scotland, Provincial Grand Lodge and many of the Sister Lodges were well represented at the celebration dinner, after which a harmony was provided by many of the leading artistes of that era, to the quiet pleasure of the assembled brethren. The 75th anniversary celebrations are still remembered by many of our brethren with very pleasant memories. Under the chairmanship of the Right Worshipful Master, Bro. Neil Beaton the Lodge was opened in Gaelic i-n the presence of a capacity crowd at 100 West Regent Street• Honorary membership was conferred on the Rt. Hon. Lord MacDonald, Grand Master of Scotland and (then Depute grand Master) and Dr. A. Buchan, Grand Secretary, who were included among the distinguished visitors present. After the Lodge was closed in Gaelic the company adjourned to the Grosvenor for the celebration dinner, where a memorable night of music and song was held. Our Centenary Celebrations Re Dedication Ceremony was in 100 W.Regent Street with Brother William Petrie in the Chair we then moved on to the Royal Stuart Hotel at the corner of Clyde Street and Jamaca Street at the Broomalaw where we had our Celebratory Dinner. Our 125 Celebrations Re-Dedication Ceremony was in 38 Blackie Street with Brother Bannatyne Shaw in the Chair we then moved to the Henry Wood Hall Berkeley Street where we had our Celebratory Dinner The Lodge visited two Lodges in Spain one in Majorca in 2006 Lodge Raminul 9 with Brother Archie MacGilvary in Chair and in Tenerife in 2007 Lodge Teide 34 with Brother Raymond Darroch P.M in the Chair where we conferred Lodge Pipers First Degrees The Lodge moved from 100 W.Regent Street in 1979 with Brother Frank MacAulay in the Chair to 92 Dumbarton Road. The lodge then moved from 92 Dumbarton Road inl 994 with Brother Duncan MacKay in the Chair to our present home in Kelvingrove Hall 38 Blackie Street With over 125 Years of fine achievement behind us, we look back with gratitude to the success the Lodge has maintained. This is some measure must be attributed to the long line of Masters and Office Bearers, who in their individual way contributed to the well being of the Lodge and the Brethern. The unknown future of the Lodge will no doubt see many changes in this rapidly changing world, but the challenge to us is to renew the spirit of our Masonic Forebears and cultivate the success they enjoyed.

Compiled by P.M. Hugh Martin 23rd February 1977
Updated by P.M. James Jeffrey 26th November 2008