News from around Ayrshire
News, degrees, installations, past events, and meetings from Ayrshire, Supreme and overseas.
Saltcoats & Ardrossan RAC visit to Bertram Shotts RAC
on Saturday 6th June Saltcoats & Ardrossan RAC visited Bertram Shotts RAC and conferred the Royal Arch degree on one candidate. There was a good attendance of companions, and an excellent day was had by all.
PGRAC of Ayrshire Half Yearly Convocation
The Half Yearly Convocation of the Provincial Grand RAC of Ayrshire was held on Friday, 15th May at in the Masonic Hall, Kilmarnock.
ME Companion William Ramsay McGhee, the First Grand Principal, headed a deputation from the Supreme Grand RAC of Scotland, where a large deputation of provincial grand superintendents from our sister provinces swelled the numbers from Companions across Ayrshire, plus representatives from the District Grand Priory of Ayrshire. GS, Sam Tremble, welcomed one and all into the convocation before commencement of the evening's business.
The First Grand Principal and the Grand Superintendent presented 50-year certificates to Companions Archibald Chalmers PZ, Robert Little PZ, Neil Mitchell PZ and Immediate Past Grand Superintendent James E. Bell. All were thanked for collectively giving over 200 years of service to Royal Arch Freemasonry, with best wishes given for many more to come.
Honorary Grand Rank for Companions Liam Stewart PZ and Mervyn Stuart PZ
Two extremely surprised Companions were awarded the Honorary Grand Rank of Grand Standard Bearers by the First Grand Principal, read out to the assembled Companions by the Grand Scribe Erza. FGP joined GS in thanking both for their dedication to Royal Arch Freemasonry, and both expressed how humbled and surprised they were to have received such high accolades from the Supreme Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland.
Companions of Loudoun RAC No. 251 EG6, James Bell, Liam Stewart, Neil Mitchell, Robert Little and Robert Stewart.
GS Kevin Pollock, Renfrewshire, GS Sam Tremble, Ayrshire and GS Gordon McAlpine, Lanarkshire Middle Ward.
PGRAC of Ayrshire Annual Triple Bowling Competition 2026
On Saturday, 16th May, the above-mentioned event took place at Glenfield Bowling Club, Kilmarnock, with a 9:30 am breakfast before battle commenced.
The six Chapters that took part were:
Beith No. 32 - Moira Union No. 249 EG2 - Loudoun No. 251 EG6 -
Hurlford No. 253 EG 17 - Irvine No. 255 EG19 - Stevenson Thistle & Rose No. 436.
The 1st round started just after 10 am in the sunshine, but with a cool wind. The 5th round was played in the cool wind, cloud and a bit of light rain.
By the 5th round, only 2 teams remained in contention: Loudoun and Hurlford. By this time, most of the players were rather chilled, so only the 2 teams in contention played the final round. The clubhouse was nice and toasty!!
The final round: Loudoun were winning up until the 4th end when Hurlford took the lead by 2 points. In the final end Loudoun came back and with the final bowl managed to win the end by 1 point but not enough to win the game. Two rather chilled teams were looking forward to their hot dinner.
19 companions sat down to dinner, then the raffle was run, which proved financially successful. The runners-up and winners were presented with the Shield and Trophy, along with a personal shield, by our Grand Superintendent, Sam Tremble, supported by the event organiser, Billy Kirkwood.
Overall, a most enjoyable day of bowling with great support from the Bar Staff and Kitchen Staff of Glenfield Bowling Club. There was a great deal of banter between the teams all taken in good part.
Since this trophy was first played for in 1994, Hurlford had never won, so we now have a new name on the trophy.
Next year we hope to encourage a few more Chapters to participate and possibly another new name on the trophy.
Grand Superintendent Welcomes Cartine and Sorn RAC No 148's Newest Companion
Monday 23rd March 2026: Catrine and Sorn RAC 148’s newest exalted Companion, Calum Hendrie, with GS Sam Tremble and the Chapter Principals. It was an excellent evening, and it was great to welcome this fine young man into Royal Arch Freemasonry.
The Installation of Grand Superintendent of Ayrshire, M.E.C. Samuel Tremble.
On Saturday, 7th March 2026, M.E.C. Samuel Tremble and Commissioned Officers were installed by the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland, headed by M.E.C. First Grand Principal, William Ramsay McGhee, at the Masonic Temple, Mother Kilwinning No.0, The Mother Lodge of Scotland in Kilwinning. Visit the link below for a summary of the day and for photographs.
Visit to the PGRAC of Fife & Kinross
On Saturday, 28th February 2026, Grand Superintendent Samuel Tremble attended the Installation Convocation of M.E.C. David Lassels as Grand Superintendent of the PGRAC of Fife & Kinross, together with his Commissioned Office-Bearers.
Congratulations and best wishes are warmly conveyed to the newly installed Grand Superintendent and his Commissioned Office-Bearers.
A photo of Grand Superintendents at PGRAC of Linlithgowshire Installation.
50 Year Certificate Presentation
On Monday, 16th February, at Hurlford RAC 253 EG 17, Grand Superintendent Samuel Tremble and M.E.C Wallace Weir presented M.E.C. William Monaghan with his well-deserved 50-year jubilee certificate and commemorative lapel pin. The Grand Superintendent thanked Comp William for his 50 years of dedicated service to Ayrshire Royal Arch Chapters, where he was always on hand to assist in any way he could. M.E.C William kindly thanked the Grand Superintendent and the Chapter for the presentation of his certificate and lapel pin, expressing his fondness for Hurlford Chapter and the departed Companions who encouraged him to be part of it.
This was a great finish to the evening after Saltcoats & Ardrossan RAC 223, headed by
M.E.C. Robert Travers had conferred the Royal Arch Degree on a substitute candidate, Comp John Oliver.
Two New Candidates for Moira Union Lodge and Council
On Monday, 9th February, GS Sam Tremble visited Moira Union L&C, where two new candidates were initiated. All agreed it was an excellent degree, with all Companions enjoying the evening with the usual Moira Union hospitality.
Sam Tremble, Donald Frost and Ronnie Paton, one of the candidates.
Provincial Grand Superintendent, Samual Tremble, makes his first Annual Visitation to his Mother Chapter
On Monday, 2nd February, GS Sam Tremble marked his first annual visitation to his Mother Chapter, Irvine RAC No. 255 EG19, where a large deputation from the PGRAC was received by the assembled Companions.
Sam conducted the business of the evening with both Irvine RAC No. 255 EG 19 and Troon RAC No. 575 receiving a clear minute. The Companions then retired to the function suite for Irvine RAC's annual Burns Supper.
The artists for the Burns Supper were:
Russell Finlayson, Ian McBreen, Jim Gray, John McEwan and Robbie Menzies.
A good night at Drumclog RA Chapter, No. 480.
A good number of visitors, and a sizeable Deputation from PGRAC (Ayrshire), headed by GS Samuel Tremble.
J. J. Muir, MEZ of Moira Union, No. 249 EG2, spoke on behalf of the visiting companions and commented on the fine rendition of Aff/Mark and EM Degrees conferred by the Office-bearers.
A pleasant time was spent in harmony following the meeting.
Moira Union RAC
On Monday, 12th January 2026, Provincial Grand Superintendent of Ayrshire, Along with the Immediate Past Grand Superintendent. Their ranks were swelled by several provincial office bearers and 1st Principals from across Ayrshire.
The New Provincial Grand Superintendent's First Official Chapter Visit
On Wednesday, 7th January 2026, Sam Tremble, the new Provincial Grand Superintendent of Ayrshire, made his first official visit to a chapter, attending
St Barnabas RAC No. 348.
Sam was accompanied by 6 other members of the Provincial, where they witnessed one candidate being exalted into the RA Chapter on the evening.
The Provincial Grand Superintendent is pictured shaking hands with John Breckney, the 1st Principal of St. Barnabas.
A Message from James E Bell
Dear Companions,
As my commission as Grand Superintendent will be completed on the 31st of December. I would like to thank the Companions of Ayrshire for the honour of being your Grand Superintendent and the support I received during my term of office.
I have met and made many friends in Ayrshire and beyond during my commission and will look back on the last 5 years with fond memories.
I would like to thank the commissioned and elected office bearers for their support and the past Grand Superintendent for their wisdom and assistance.
At this time, I wish ME Companion Samuel Tremble, Grand Superintendent Elect, and his Commission every success for the future and pledge my support in the coming years.
In closing, Companions, I wish you all a prosperous and happy 2026.
James E Bell
Grand Superintendent
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