A celebratory dinner was then held at the Cuillin Hills Hotel, Portree. The Harmony was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all the Brethren present. The requisite toasts were made and entertaining speech’s given. Brother Niven was also presented with gifts of celebration marking his 60 years as a mason from Lodge St Kilda 881, the Provincial Grand Lodge of Inverness-shire and the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ross and Cromarty. The Grand Master Mason presented Lodge St Kilda with a signed photograph, instructing the Brethren of the Lodge to hang it higher up the walls of the Lodge Temple than that of his father. Gifts were also presented to Lodge St Kilda 881 by visiting Brethren. The first from Lodge St John Kilwinning 57, to mark the assistance given by the Brethren of St Kilda to Brother Gus Sands of that Lodge, who undertook a charity motorcycle event in April 2012. A further gift was given by Brother Jan Overmars from the Netherlands to mark his recent affiliation to Lodge St Kilda 881. Brother Overmars also invited the Brethren of Lodge St Kilda 881 to attend the Consecration of a new Lodge in the Netherlands in November of 2013 to further cement the fraternal links that already exist. The Brethren of Lodge St Kilda 881 also presented the Grand Master Mason with an engraved quaich to show their appreciation for his attendance. At the conclusion of this event the Brethren departed in peace and harmony with old fraternal links cemented and new one’s established.

The Brethren of Lodge St Kilda 881 are now looking forwards to the next 100 years of the Temple with renewed vigour. The Lodge will continue to serve the Fraternity and wider local community as far as possible buoyed by the widespread goodwill that flowed during a memorable day.

Brian M Smith
Master Lodge St Kilda 881