The Challenges of a New Era

However, Ewan Mackay’s story as Right Worshipful Master was only just beginning. Few could have imagined that only a matter of months after his installation, the world would face one of the greatest global crises in modern history — the COVID-19 pandemic.

Installed in late 2019, Ewan chaired only two meetings before the end of that year. In 2020, the Lodge managed just three further meetings before nationwide lockdowns and restrictions brought normal life to a standstill. For the next 18 months, Lodge St. Olaf, like countless organisations across the world, was unable to meet at all.

Even after restrictions began to ease, strict limits on indoor gatherings meant that Masonic Lodges still could not operate normally for a considerable time. In reality, it would be more than two years before Lodge life began to resemble anything close to normal again.

The effects of the pandemic reached far beyond missed meetings. Many members, particularly older brethren, understandably remained cautious about returning. While some slowly drifted back as confidence improved, others never returned at all. The sense of interruption and uncertainty affected every aspect of Lodge life.

A Difficult Time for Freemasonry

Freemasonry across Scotland faced significant challenges during this period, and Lodge St. Olaf was no exception. Even before the pandemic, many Lodges had been dealing with declining numbers and reduced attendance. There had been genuine hope that the appointment of one of Scotland’s youngest Right Worshipful Masters might help attract renewed interest and energy into the Lodge. Unfortunately, the timing could not have been worse.

The momentum that had surrounded Ewan’s installation was suddenly halted by circumstances completely beyond anyone’s control.

Recognising the unusual difficulties of the period, the Lodge took the rare decision to extend Ewan’s term in office into a third year. The intention was simple — to allow him and the Lodge the opportunity to rebuild once restrictions ended and members could finally return properly to Lodge life.

Facing the Reality After Lockdown

As meetings eventually resumed, the focus of the Lodge shifted toward recovery and survival. Business Meetings became opportunities for brethren to openly discuss the serious issues facing the Lodge after the pandemic.

The financial impact had been substantial. During normal years, collections, fundraising events, social gatherings, and community activities played an important role in supporting the Lodge financially. During lockdown, all of this stopped almost overnight.

For a Lodge entering the beginning of its second century, it was a deeply worrying period. Questions were raised about membership, finances, participation, and the future direction of the Lodge itself. Yet despite these concerns, there remained a strong determination among the brethren to protect the traditions and spirit of Lodge St. Olaf.

A Unique Provincial Visitation

Out of this difficult period, however, came one of the most memorable and meaningful evenings in the Lodge’s recent history.

During the annual Provincial Visitation, the Lodge faced another challenge. Because of the continuing effects of the pandemic, there was no live candidate available for degree work. Normally, a mock degree would have been carried out instead, but Past Master Bro. Gordon Mackay — father of the Right Worshipful Master — proposed a very different approach.

Rather than perform a mock ceremony, he suggested presenting a reflection on the history of Lodge St. Olaf during its first 100 years, focusing particularly on his own experiences since joining the Lodge in 1981.

The idea was warmly received by the Lodge, and permission was granted by Provincial Grand Lodge. Bro. Mackay then began preparing what would become an extraordinary presentation, combining photographs, videos, personal memories, historical records, and stories spanning more than four decades of Lodge life.

Bringing History to Life

On the evening of the Provincial Visitation, after the formal opening of the Lodge and the entrance of Provincial Grand Lodge led by Provincial Grand Master Bro. Douglas Nicol, the Lodge room was transformed into a theatre-style setting. A projector and screen were installed so that everyone present could experience the presentation together.

What followed was far more than a simple historical review.

The presentation explored every aspect of Lodge St. Olaf’s history — the changing number of members over the decades, the achievements and challenges faced by successive Right Worshipful Masters, major Lodge events, charitable efforts, social occasions, and the unique traditions that had shaped the character of the Lodge over its first century.

There were moments of quiet sadness as brethren remembered members who had passed to the Grand Lodge Above. There were also moments of laughter and joy as old photographs and video footage brought treasured memories vividly back to life.

For many present, it became an emotional reminder not only of the Lodge’s history, but of the friendships, shared experiences, and sense of brotherhood that had united generations of members.

A New Vision for the Future

By the end of the evening, there was widespread agreement that the presentation had been something truly special. Rather than simply filling the absence of degree work, it had created a unique and memorable experience that reminded everyone what made Lodge St. Olaf different.

More importantly, it demonstrated that the same creativity, determination, and willingness to adapt which had carried the Lodge through its first hundred years could also guide it through the challenges of the future.

After the presentation concluded, the Lodge formally reconvened so Provincial Grand Lodge could deliver its usual reports. The response from those attending was overwhelmingly positive. Once again, Lodge St. Olaf had shown its ability to approach things differently while still maintaining the dignity and spirit of Freemasonry.

Preserving the Lodge’s Story

The impact of the evening continued long after the Provincial Visitation had ended. Many brethren suggested that the presentation should somehow be preserved and shared more widely, both for those who attended and for members who had been unable to be there.

This idea became the inspiration for Bro. Gordon Mackay to create an online historical timeline for the Lodge website. The online version expanded significantly upon the original presentation, allowing viewers to explore Lodge history in far greater detail.

Using photographs, documents, video clips, and linked content, the timeline created an interactive experience through which members and visitors alike could discover the people, events, and traditions that shaped Lodge St. Olaf over the course of its first century.

Strength Through Adversity

What began as one of the most difficult periods in the Lodge’s history ultimately became a defining moment of reflection and renewal.

The pandemic had tested the Lodge in ways no one could have anticipated. It interrupted progress, reduced attendance, created financial strain, and left uncertainty about the future. Yet it also reminded the brethren of the resilience that had sustained Lodge St. Olaf for generations.

The historical presentation and the work that followed effectively drew a line in the sand — recognising the achievements of the past while inspiring a renewed determination to secure the future.

For Lodge St. Olaf, the challenges of the pandemic became not the end of the story, but the beginning of a new chapter built upon remembrance, unity, and hope for the years ahead.

The Story of a Special Presentation at Lodge St. Olaf

On March 23rd, 2023, the brethren of Lodge St. Olaf 1188 gathered for what began as a regular Lodge meeting. However, the evening soon became a very special occasion as the Lodge honoured Immediate Past Master Bro. Ewan Mackay and celebrated the friendships and traditions that connect generations of members.

The meeting was led by Right Worshipful Master Trevor Cooke, while Bro. Ewan attended unaware of the surprise that had been arranged for him.

A Meaningful Gift

During the evening, Past Master Bro. Gordon Mackay — Ewan’s father — stood to address the Lodge. He explained that the brethren wished to recognise Ewan’s service as Immediate Past Master with a presentation that carried both personal and historical significance.

The gift was a Past Master’s jewel that had once belonged to the late Bro. Kenny Davidson, a former Right Worshipful Master of Lodge St. Olaf who served between 1986 and 1988.

Kenny Davidson had been a much-loved member of the Lodge, remembered for his kindness, humour, and talent as a writer. Although he had passed away several years earlier, his memory remained strong among the brethren.

The Lodge felt it was fitting that his jewel should now be passed to Bro. Ewan Mackay.

A Friendship That Began in Childhood

As part of the presentation, Gordon shared some memories that showed the long connection between Ewan and Kenny Davidson.

One story dated back to when Ewan was only five years old. Kenny had arrived at the Mackay family home and was greeted at the door by young Ewan, who confidently invited him inside and even offered him a whisky from the family drinks cabinet. Kenny politely declined, amused by the situation, especially after realising Ewan’s mother was upstairs at the time. It became a story Kenny enjoyed retelling for many years afterwards.

Their connection went deeper than simple family friendship. Kenny, who wrote extensively in the Doric language, had even dedicated one of his books, I Ploomins Grep an’ Werd, to Ewan when he was just 18 months old.

Over the years, a genuine friendship developed between Kenny and the Mackay family.

The Journey of the Jewel

After Kenny Davidson passed away, his Past Master’s jewel was returned to Lodge St. Olaf. For many years it remained carefully preserved by the Lodge, waiting for the right moment and the right person for it to be presented once again.

The brethren believed that Bro. Ewan Mackay was the perfect choice.

Ewan had joined the Lodge in 2014 as a Lewis Mason, only a few years after Kenny’s passing. Many members felt there was a meaningful connection between the two men — one representing the Lodge’s past, and the other helping lead its future.

The presentation of the jewel symbolised not only recognition for Ewan’s service, but also the passing forward of friendship, tradition, and shared history within the Lodge.

A Proud and Emotional Moment

As Gordon presented the jewel to his son, Ewan was visibly surprised and deeply moved by the gesture.

He thanked the brethren sincerely and spoke about the importance of carrying forward the memory and values of those who had come before him.

He said it was both an honour and a responsibility to wear something that had belonged to a respected former Master and family friend.

The presentation became even more meaningful because Ewan was also wearing the Past Master’s apron of another late family friend, Bro. Derek Stephen. Together, these items represented the strong bonds of friendship and respect that existed within Lodge St. Olaf across many generations.

“We’re All for Recycling”

To finish the presentation, Right Worshipful Master Trevor added a touch of humour which brought laughter around the Lodge room.

“We’re all for recycling at Lodge St. Olaf,” he joked, earning warm applause from the brethren.

The comment perfectly captured the spirit of the evening. The Lodge was not simply preserving old traditions and belongings — it was giving them new life by passing them on to new generations of members.

Brotherhood Across Generations

As the meeting came to a close, the brethren gathered around Ewan to congratulate him and share memories of Kenny Davidson and other past members of the Lodge.

The evening became a reminder of what makes Lodge St. Olaf special: friendship, shared history, humour, respect, and the strong sense of brotherhood that connects members past and present.

It was another memorable chapter in the history of the Lodge — a story not just about a jewel, but about the lasting connections between people, families, and generations within Freemasonry.

And as always at Lodge St. Olaf, the story continues.