Welcome

The District of Strathclyde warmly welcomes you to our District website. You can visit any of our sixteen Preceptories, where you will receive a very warm and sincere welcome.

We hope as a visitor you will find the information contained herein useful, and if possible you may be able to join us at some of our annual visits to the Preceptory musters and/or our Annual District Muster.

Rt. Em. Fr. James M. Pettigrew
District Grand Prior of the District Grand Priory of Strathclyde

Foreword from the forth coming History of the District Grand Prioy of Stathclyde
by Ven Fra. Nigel T. Spike PP

The foreword is written by Right Eminent Frater James Pettigrew, District Grand Prior of the District Grand Priory of Strathclyde.

I take great pleasure in introducing this short account of the first hundred years in the life of the District Grand Priory of Strathclyde, a body that has adapted, survived - and prospered - in a world that has changed immeasurably since its inception. A century on, it seems fitting to reflect on initial hopes, to see just how far we have come as a body meeting the needs of a new era - but reflecting the same basic aims of Temple Freemasonry in "The Friendly Order".

The story as revealed in the Minute Books speaks of crises, of lows as well as highs, with petty squabbles and jealousies emerging from the pages of history. Such a story depends to a great extent on the teller; in time-honoured fashion, what actually happened and what is recorded is not necessarily the same thing, with the Secretary of the time being the sole judge of what should be recorded in the interests of the District. Those of us with longer memories may well read some parts of this account and say, "Yes, but what about ..?" or, "Surely, that covers up the fact that ...": some events may well be glossed over; some noteworthy occasions may, for whatever reason, not even get a mention; other Preceptories may get "more than their fair share" of attention - positive as well as critical. Members of District took the decision to stick to the Minute Books as reflecting the "facts" underlying the hundred years of its existence, rather than attempt an all-encompassing account that is "fair" to all concerned, Preceptories and individuals. It may well be that this history could form the basis of a larger work, supplemented by individual recollections and other sources that can fill in the gaps where necessary.

We live in "interesting times" - possibly in the Chinese sense of the word - with lots of problems faced by society today. If there is one thing that shines through this record, it is that Temple Freemasonry, guided in particular by the District Grand Priory of Strathclyde, has always tried to reflect a distinct moral compass, to support and maintain what is good in the Order, for the benefit of all right-thinking individuals. I trust that, when all the Centenary celebrations are over, a succession of District Officers will quietly continue to go about the same tasks - for the next hundred years!