A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LODGE

A meeting was held in Grahams Hotel, Glasgow, on the 28^th May 1877, by a body of Freemasons with the object of forming a Masonic Lodge composed of Gaelic-speaking Highlanders. Brother 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 out with 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 reigning masters and 8 wardens within the Province signed the petition. The Charter was granted on the 6^th August 1877, and at a meeting held in the Blythswood Hotel on the 18^th 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 and installation ceremonies were carried out by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow on the 9^th November 1877, in the presence of a large number of visiting brethren.

The first regular meeting of the Lodge was held in the Masonic Halls, Hope Street, Glasgow, on the 20^th December 1877. The opening ceremony was conducted in Gaelic, and after the business was carried out, the first two initiates namely, Dr. Morrison of Edinburgh and Mr. A. MacKenzie of Inverness, who were the two leading gentlemen in Celtic circles, were initiated in Gaelic, thereafter they were passed and raised. The Lodge was closed in due and ancient form in Gaelic.

The meeting place of the Lodge has been confined to three 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 Sauchiehall 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 meeting because the greater number of the initiates were sea-faring men who 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 two to three 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 minute of the meeting dated 9^th January 1890, when it was agreed that when more than one degree was being conferred, that the business should commence at 7.30 p.m. Such was the stamina of our forefathers. Their enthusiasm is verified by an account of the meeting held on the 9^th 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” 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 only because of their popularity. The first record of our Annual Dance being held was on the 15^th December 1883 in the Grand Hotel. During the course of the evening, the opportunity was taken to make a presentation to past master Brother D. Cowan, as a stalwart in the early days of the Lodge, for his services as Right Worshipful Master during a period of four years.

The Tatties and Herring Supper has always been a very popular event and the first such supper appears to have taken place on the 24^th 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 Tatties 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 Ghillie 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” has throughout its 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 are at present held by Gael members.

Throughout the years we can boast of many of our brethren holding office in both Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge. These are far to numerous to mention, but of our surviving brethren we are proud to refer to Past Masters, Brothers 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 minute of the meeting held on the 12^th 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 Annuity Fund benefited by the sum of approximately £1,100 by the joint effort of Lodge The Gael and Lodge Clyde in raising funds by means of concerts, an evening cruise and running a stall at the Bazaar run by Provincial Grand Lodge in the St. Andrews 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 needy brethren has always been one of our main objects. The first record of a collection for Benevolence or the “Charity Box” as it was then referred to was on the 12^th August 1880 when 1/7d 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 2/6d and 5/- being given to casual applicants for benevolence. The first balance sheet published in 1887 showed a cash balance of £3.18.2 in the Benevolent Fund and £6.11.3 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 Lodge 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 rejoicing when a total of 900 freemasons comprising Gael members and deputations from many parts of Scotland assembled. This meeting held the record at the time for the largest attendance 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 Brother William 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 Master Bro. Kenneth MacLean many distinguished brethren were welcomed from Lodges throughout Scotland. Among those present were Brother Peter MacDonald, Past Grand Bard and Brother George D. Millar, Provincial Grand Lodge Junior Warden, 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 Diamond 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 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 great pleasure of the assembled brethren.

The 75^th 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 in 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 (then Depute Grand Master) and Bro. 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.

With a century’s record of fine achievement behind it, we look back with gratitude to the success the Lodge has maintained. This in some measure must be attributed to the long line of Masters and Office-Bearers who, in their own individual way, contributed to the well being of the Lodge and the Brethren. The unknown future of the second century no doubt will see many changes in this rapidly changing world, but the challenge to us this Anniversary is to renew the spirit of our Masonic forebears and cultivate the success they enjoyed.

The above history was taken from the Lodge Centenary programme in 1977. The history of the Lodge is being updated at present and will be added to this page when complete.