Coquetdale Lodge - No.5122
Northumberland Masons On Tour
The first of these visits took place in around 2001 and were arranged as fraternal visits between friends and relatives (in the main) of Risingham Lodge (No.5761) and Lodges in Scotland.
For over 10 years W.Bro John Grey (Heart of Glendale Lodge No.4005) and W.Bro Robert Corbett (Risingham Lodge No.5761), have subsequently organised Masonic weekends to other parts of the country. These trips are in the main for us to visit other Masonic Lodges but also as a thank you to our good Ladies for all their help over the years. Since 2012 our trips have been organised in the main by W.Bro. Ian Clouston (aided by W.Bro. Robert and many others on the sub-committee), and he has continued the excellent traditions that were started all those years ago - fun, friendship and exploring.
The first visit was in 2001 to Aboyne
Below are images from the early years - 2001 & 2003
INDEX to Places Visited
6]. Rothesay
7]. Perth - April 2014
8]. Grange-over-Sands - April 2016
9]. Dundee- April 2017
10]. Harrogate - April 2018 - (actually visited a Lodge in Wetherby)
En-route to Inverness
A rest halt in Calander
Calander is one of our regular rest halts when visiting Lodges on the West Coast of Scotland
Inverness
We visited Lodges in Inverness on two seperate occasions - firstly in 2006 we visited Drummossie Lodge 1438 and then came back the following year in 2007 and visited Old Inverness Kilwinning St John Lodge No.6.
We had canny weather over both our weekends in Inverness.
These photos are from our trips to Inverness
The 3-Wise Men on Loch Ness
Back on board
The interior of the Beaufort Hotel, Inverness
Trying to sort the camera !!
No need to say to much here - the scenes speak for themselves !!
A Boat Trip to Mull
Relaxing in Port - we went for a boat trip and again had great weather. All is not as it seems though, we only had the ship to ourselves as we were in port at the half way point and waiting for the passengers to come onboard.
A bustling fishing port
A happy sailor
Leaving Port
The Kelpies
listening intently - the guide was excellent
Inside the structure
Items from the hall and stairway of
Commercial Lodge No.180, Oban
To the left King Solomons Temple and above a festive board at the re-opening of the Lodge in October 1932
This was a presentation to Commercial Lodge No.180
Entrance and stairwell of Commercial Lodge No.180
Above is our group photo taken in the Temple and on the right are the RWM (2nd from right), officers and friends. Below left is the entertainment provide by our hosts and below right is the RW Masters boat (not the naval vessel)
New found friends
The Mull Music Festival was happening on our weekend as well, and was well worth the boat & bus trip
Hotel entertainment 2015
Fort William
We had another grand time when we visited Fort William Lodge No.43 in 2009.
Fort William - Lodge No.43
Their has been a Lodge in Fort William since 1743, which is where the Lodge takes its number from. The Lodge building you see below is slightly newer in age - it was built in 1903. The shops are integral to the building and I believe the Lodge receives funds from the rental.
Happy friends taking snaps of the excellent entertainment
A view of the festive board with a small presentation given from us to Lodge No.43
On the right - how to keep up anglo scottish relations - in case you are wondering, it was the Scottish gent who's wearing the silly hat.
(but that didn't stop others from wearing it as well)
A few more photos of our journeys home.
Inverary
There is a short DVD of our trips to Scotland which has been made for personal use.
If anyone wishes to purchase a copy please contact our Lodge.
A suggested donation of £3 per copy is requested and this will be sent to Masonic Charities.
Harrogate was the final Masonic Weekend organised by W.Bro. John Grey - we had a grand welcome when we visited the Lodge, but I can not remember the number or the name - memory is terrible - I will continue to make enquiries.
The 'Cairn Hotel' - our residence for the weekend
Masonic Lodge - Harrogate
Group Photo before leaving for home
Presentation to W.Bro. John with thanks from us all
Presentation Gift - hand made bowl
Dancing on our last night
On our visit to Perthshire we visited Kildrummie Lodge No.906 on the outskirts of Perth. The brothers of Kildrummie Lodge were once more very welcoming and we had an excellent evening. On our return journey we visited the Royal Yacht in Edinburgh.
The 'Salutation Hotel' - our residence in Perth
Festive Board - Piper entertains
Scenes in Perth
River Tay and Bridge
Gardens
Our Return Journey
Visit to Royal Yacht
Rothesay - Isle of Bute
This was once again a grand fraternal visit - and the Lodge itself has many interesting historical hand painted murals. If you are ever in Rothesay it is well worth a visit to Rothesay St John Lodge No.292, you are sure of a great welcome.
The 'Glenburn Hotel' - our residence in Rothesay
Brothers en-route to the Lodge and the entrance to Lodge 292
Lodge 292 Interior
All murals and paintings are hand painted by local artist
Scenic views en-route via Ferry and in Rothesay
Victorian Gents toilets in Rothesay and our stop-over at the Falkirk Wheel on our way home
Places we visited
Blair Castle
Rosslyn Chapel
Grange-over-Sands - April 2016
Our visit to Arthur John Brogden No.1715 in Grange-over-Sands, was the reason behind our Annual Northumbria Masons Tour for 2016. They held a 'live' first degree on their regular meeting night, which is a Friday, which of course had quite a few variations to the ritual that we use in Coquetdale Lodge. The whole evening was extremely well planned and everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable evening, both in the Lodge and at the festive board.
On the Saturday, after a fabulous day of various destinations, we had drinks before a Gala evening meal, at which 38 members from Arthur John Brogden Lodge and their partners joined us, including the new initiate from the previous evening.
Cumbria Grand Hotel
Grange-over-Sands
Scenes above showing us entering the Arthur John Brogden Lodge on the Friday, and our Cocktails on the Saturday.
Below are various scenes from our visits to Haverthwaite Railway, Cruise on Lake Windermere, Holker Hall on the Saturday, and the Lakeland Motor Museum on the Sunday, before our return journey via Kendal.
Harrogate - April 2018
In 2018, our Annual Masonic weekend took us to Harrogate once more, but the Lodge we visited was at Wetherby. We had a brilliant night at Lodge Calcaria (which means Tadcaster in Roman) on the Friday, where a truly magnificent working of a 2nd degree was undertaken. We were thoroughly looked after and spoilt once again for choice of food at the festive board. On our way home on the Sunday, we called into Eden Camp which proved very popular with everyone. One of the interesting items from their summons was that they already showed an asterik beside Chapter members and also a chapter representative - oh and some past Masters from Northumberland....
