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ADDITONAL
INFORMATION

 

IN THE BEGINNING


Lodge Loch Fyne No.754 was constituted in March 1888 and consecrated in
August the same year.It has pursued an unbroken course through the vicissitudes of 3 wars and honored Loyal Toasts in six reigns.

Petitioned in February 1888 to The Grand Lodge of Antient and Accepted Freemasons of Scotland.
The Petitioners Lodges were:
Lodge Inveraray St John No.50
Lodge Rothesay St John No.292
Glasgow Star Lodge No.219
The Sponsors were:
Lodge Inveraray St John No.50
Lodge Rothesay St John No.292
FIRST MEETING.
The Lodge first met on the 20th March 1888 in the then Courthouse, Lochgilphead and opened by a deputation from Lodge Inveraray St. John No.50. The first Master was then installed in the name of Brother Henry C H Allenby. Following the installation of the office bearers eight ( yes eight ) candidates were proposed, seconded and prepared for initiation. Four of these candidates went on to be made M M on the same night.
CANDIDATES IN THE FIRST YEARS
During this period and until 1896, when Grand Lodge issued the instruction that 14 days elapse between degrees, it was not unusual for weekly or even twice weekly meetings to be held with 5 or 6 candidates being forwarded for admission and initiation. This situation was not unique to Lodge Loch Fyne many lodges had done the same hence the edict from Grand Lodge on the 8th June 1896.
On one occasion and emergency meeting was arranged for one candidate from
Tarbert. Due to circumstances he was "going abroad to Wales within the week ".
As this was agreed to be a "clear case of emergency" he was proposed, seconded, balloted and raised to MM in one evening.
CONSECRATION  


 
At the meeting of the 15th May 1888 the Lodge agreed to adopt the Argyll tartan as the Lodge colours, the same tartan worn to this day.
The date for consecration was set as August the 9th 1888 at 6pm by Sir Charles Dalrymple of Nehailes, the Provincial Grand Master.
On that day a deputation from the Grand Lodge of Scotland arrived on the RMS Columba and proceeded to their accomodation at the Argyll Hotel, Lochgilphead.
They were joined by members of the Lodge and all made their way in procession, accompanied by a brass band, to the Courthouse where the consecration ceremony took place.
The attendance books and press reports show some 60 Brethren were present
from 16 lodges, namely:
The Grand Lodge of Scotland
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Argyll and the Isles
No.2 Cannongate Kilwinning, Edinburgh
No.3 Bis the Lodge of Glasgow St John, Glasgow
No.4 Glasgow Kilwinning, Glasgow
No.5 Cannongate and Leith, Edinburgh
No.50 Inveraray St John, Inveraray
N0.141 Campbeltown St John, Campbeltown
No.178 Scotia, Glasgow
No.291 Celtic, Edinburgh
No.292 Rothesay St John, Rothesay
No.335 Dunoon Argyll, Dunoon
No.418 St Andrew, NEW ZEALAND
No.459 Kelburne, Millport
No.552 The Kildalton Lodge, Islay
N0.1747 (EC) Transvaal, SOUTH AFRICA


THE CONSECRATION DINNER (RMPS IONA III)



 


 


Due the large numbers expect for this important day, the Courthouse was deemed to be too small and the local hotels were unable to assist due to the large number of tourists in the area. This led to an unique solution being offered and accepted. Brother D. McBrayne, a member of Lodge 754 offered use of the RMPS Iona III, provided he was no way to be held responsible for any breach of the Licensing Acts which MIGHT occur during the "festivities". This offer and the conditions were accepted gratefully by the Lodge. The Chief Steward of the Iona would look after catering.
It is not known how many other consecration dinners have been held aboard a Royal Mail Paddle Steamer, some believe none. Transport to Ardrishaig Pier for members was arranged by horse drawn vehicles.
Sir Archibald Campbell, Bart, of Blythswood, the MWGMM of Scotland presided at the banquet. Unfortunately, no minutes of this part of the evening exist except to say it is recorded in the Lodge minutes that " the Committee were empowered to obtain use of a piano and the services of an entertainer provided that no expense was incurred by the Lodge ".
By the end of 1888 the Lodge had a membership increase of 55 candidates and 10 affiliates, this trend continued for some years to come

LODGE PREMISES.
Initially meeting in the Old Courthouse in Lochgilphead by 1907 it was apparent the Lodge required larger premises. By December that year it was identified that Haggart`s property was available, which with some rebuilding would be suitable.
From the Argyllshire Herald of 8th August comes an interesting paragraph:

" The old building in Lochgilphead recently purchased by Lodge Loch
Fyne with a view to the erection of a Masonic hall is not without some
historic interest. It is one of the oldest buildings in the burgh having
been erected as far back as 1791, and for many years was occupied as
a licensed inn....."

Agreement to purchased the property was reached after much discussion. This was carried out in May 1908 , and after much haggling for the sum of £53.13.3 plus legal fees of £4.9.6 making the total investment the sum of £58.2.9.
The final cost of refurbishing the property was some £500.00, money which had to be found by the Lodge. One brother came forward, PM Brother Captain Donald Dewar and donated the sum £500.00 on loan to ease the cash burden on the lodge until the loan could be repaid.
The foundation stone was laid on the 30th July 1909 by Brother Dr K Hewison, the Provincial Grand Chaplain. It is interesting to note that the silver trowel used on this occasion was returned to the lodge by Dr Hewison`s sister on the 1st November 1945 and is still on display in the Lodge Room.
The first meeting of the Lodge in the new premises was on 24th November 1909. The ceremony of Opening and Consecration was carried out by Sir Charles Dalrymple, Bart, of Newhailes, Provincial Grand Master.
NOTABLE DATES
1791 Present Lodge Building first constructed
1887 First formal discussions about forming Lodge Loch Fyne
1888 Petition made and granted. Consecration and Opening
1895 Lodge Loch Fyne holds first meeting in Tarbert
1897 First Harmony held in Tarbert
1902 First public procession in Regalia through Lochgilphead
1903 Meeting day changed from first Tuesday to First Thursday
1908 Present Lodge Rooms purchased
1909 Lodge Consecrated in new premises
1913 Lodge Silver Jubilee
Loan for Lodge repaid and deeds of property obtained
1911 Lamp erected outside Lodge
1913 First Church Parade
1914-18 Great War, 60 Brethren served, 8 making the supreme
sacrifice for King and country.
1916 Request for "Summer closing " made. Occasional closure only
agreed.
1920 A lodge for Tarbert discussed.
1923 Lodge Tarbert, Tarbert Loch Fyne No. 1306 receives Charter
( Sponsor Lodges Loch Fyne No. 754 and Lodge Kyles of Bute No.
1120 )
1925 Summer Recess agreed
1936 RMPS Iona III decommissioned,
Lodge Room door knockers, made from the brass on the ship, donated.
Major H C M Allenby, First RWM dies.
1937 Gas Lighting replaced by Electric " after much discussion !"
1938 Jubilee year for the Lodge
1939-45 Second World War.
1952 Lodge in mourning for the Passing of
HM King George VI past MWGMM of Scotland
1958 Diamond Jubilee of the Lodge
1972 Social Club formed
1973 Club Licence granted
1975 Social club and Lodge Rooms refurbished.
( Thanks to PM Neil McPhee and volunteers)
1980 Centenary fund established
1982 Social Club and Lodge Rooms Reconstructed to todays layout.
1988 CENTENARY YEAR.

 

 


Thanks
It is with most sincere thanks that I acknowledge to work of PM Brother
David G W Cullen for his endeavors in preparing the Lodge History from which
I have extracted and condensed but a small portion. In thanking him I also thank those who
assisted him in the original work of compiling the Lodge History who he names
as PM A Black, PM W.MacDonald, Brother N Sinclair and Brother M. MacDonald.