History
The Provincial Grand Lodges on Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire West and Aberdeenshire East have long proud histories, and Freemasonry has been practised for many centuries in Aberdeen City and the Shire
To coin a well-known phrase, “In the beginning” Thomas Burnett, an Advocate in the City of Aberdeen, was appointed Provincial Grand Master of Aberdeen City in 1827 and there has been a continuous line of Provincial Grand Masters in the city since that date.
The first appointment of a Provincial Grand Master of Aberdeenshire West was in 1849 when Charles, 10th Marquis of Aboyne (pictured here), was appointed to the office, which he held until his death in 1862. As with our sister Province of Aberdeenshire East, there was then a vacancy until 1871.
Over the years many worthy and distinguished Brethren have led the three Provincial Grand Lodges. The service and achievements of some of these Brethren have been particularly noteworthy and have left very distinguishing marks on the histories of the Provinces.
The 18th Lord Saltoun had the unique (and never to be repeated) distinction of being commissioned as Provincial Grand Master both of Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire West in 1887. He also went on to serve as Grand Master Mason (1897 – 1900), confirming his well justified reputation as a Leader of the Craft.
Colonel Henry Lumsden III of Pitcaple succeeded Lord Saltoun as Provincial Grand Master of Aberdeenshire West. He certainly had a busy and interesting time during his Commission. He was Provincial Grand Master during a period of rapid expansion of the Craft and in his term of office he consecrated four new Lodges, namely St. John, Bucksburn No. 795, Vale of Alford No. 910, St. Congan, Turriff No. 922 and St. Bryde, Kemnay No. 991.
Brother Lumsden also severed as Master of Lodge St Anthony No. 154 in Inverurie where he was instrumental in raising the fund which enabled the brethren to purchase the site and erect the handsome lodge in which it now meets
Brother Lumsden, also drove Masonic ties with Brethren of the English Constitution, He was a founding member and one of the 1st Masters of a lodge in London created for those serving in the London Scottish Rifles, of which he was at the time the Regiments Commanding Officer.
At only 24 hours notice Brother Lumsden as Provincial Grand Master of Aberdeenshire West, travelled to the Isle of Wight in the Province of Hampshire and on the 10th February 1900 installed the Worshipful Master of Chime Lodge No. 1884 (E.C.) in the absence of the Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire. It is recorded that Brother Lumsden apologised for conducting the Installation according to the Scottish Ritual – but that undoubtedly made the Ceremony even more memorable.
Since the Province of Aberdeenshire West was constituted it has produced three Grand Master Masons, namely the 18th Lord Saltoun, Sir Malcolm Barclay-Harvey (who was also Grand Master of South Australia) and J.M. Marcus Humphrey of Dinnet, who is the grandson of Sir Malcolm Barclay-Harvey.
There is great admiration for the commitment displayed by the Brethren of the three Provinces in the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth centuries. Until the arrival of the railway system in the NorthEast of Scotland, travel must have been little short of a nightmare.
It must have taken a great amount of effort and dedication for the members of the three Provincial Grand Lodges to attend the widespread activities expected in the early days, such as laying foundation stones, being present at Installations, Church services, and the like. According to the records these events were always very well attended, which speaks volumes to the level of interest of the Provincial Grand Masters and their Office-bearers.
Many foundation stones were laid, with full Masonic ceremony, in the City of Aberdeen and the Shire, including those at Woolmanhill Hospital, Forresterhill Hospital, the Music Hall and many stately Banks. The Provincial Grand Master of Aberdeen City and his Office-bearers travelled to Banchory, to lay the foundation stone at the new Town Hall and also to Torphins to lay the foundation stone at the new Parish Church.
In 1930 Colonel A.H. Farquharson of Invercauld was Provincial Grand Master of Aberdeenshire West. He and the Provincial Office-bearers laid the foundation stone of the new Cottage Hospital in Rhynie in that year. According to the Minutes, about 300 brethren attended, which was probably more than the population of the village of Rhynie at that time. This is of particular note as there was no rail link to Rhynie and the brethren therefore had to make their way to the village by many other means.
Brother Farquharson also served as Substitute Grand Master Mason of Scotland 1933-1934 and Depute Grand Master Mason 1934-1935.
All of these events involved large attendances by Brethren, obviously very keen to be in touch with members of the public and to take a very active part in the development of the communities within the Provinces.
The events usually involved public marches when the brethren would be accompanied by a pipe band,
or a military band and local Volunteers.
Contrary to present circumstances, much splendid publicity was given to the Masonic activities of the time by local Press, the Scottish Field Magazine, The Masonic Magazine and by the local Aberdeen Masonic Reporter.
The Reporter was apparently published in 1881 and appeared regularly for a further 80 years.
The three Provincial Grand Lodges, and the Daughter Lodges with Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire East and Aberdeenshire West, can all boast proud and very interesting histories.
Each of the three Provincial Grand Lodges has made a significant mark
in the life of the Craft in the geographical areas in which they operate.
As might be expected, strong fraternal bonds have developed and richly expanded
over the years among the three Provinces.
The stone for which the City of Aberdeen is deservedly famous
is undoubtedly one of the most durable building materials known to stonemasons.
The three Provincial Grand Lodges are confident that the bonds among them
along with the traditions and histories which they have each developed
will be every bit as durable as the stone from which the Granite City is built.