R.W.M. Ewan Mackay
I.P.M. George Hall
D.M. Gordon Mackay P.M.
W.S.W. Gordon Daly P.M.
W.J.W. Trevor Cooke
Sec. Mark Dunn P.M.
Tres. Doug Sheal
Almoner. Bill Murray P.M.
S.D. Sandy Tweddle
J.D. Chris Syme
I.G. Richard Parker
Chap. Simon Hope
B.B. Peter Ingles
D of C. Derek Clark P.M.
Tyler. David Platt
Org. James Connor P.M.
The Chronicles of St. Olaf: Bro. Ewan Mackay RWM 2019 – 2022
In the wintry twilight of December 5th, 2019, the Lodge of St. Olaf bore witness to a moment both rare and remarkable, a tale destined to be recounted in its halls for many years to come. For on this day, Bro. Ewan Mackay, a scion of the Craft, ascended to the Chair of King Solomon, becoming one of Scotland’s youngest reigning Right Worshipful Masters.
At a mere 24 years and 6 months of age, Ewan’s ascent was nothing short of extraordinary, a testament to his steadfast spirit and boundless resolve. The ceremonial mantle was placed upon his shoulders by PGMAE Bro. Douglas Nicol, with the guidance of Installing RWM Bro. Norman Daniel, Past Master of Lodge Keith No. 56, and his own father, Bro. Gordon Mackay, Past Master of Lodge St. Olaf. Thus, the torch was passed, from father to son, amid the solemn and joyous proceedings.
Ewan’s journey began in the mists of January 2014, when, as a Lewis Mason, he took his first steps into the Light. Installed as Inner Guard later that year, he displayed a precocious talent for ritual and a tireless dedication to the duties of the Craft. Each station he held—Junior Deacon, Senior Deacon, Junior Warden, and Senior Warden—served as another rung in the ladder that led to his destiny. His rise, though swift, was marked by diligence, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the Lodge and its brethren.
From the very beginning, Ewan’s life was a tale of resilience. Born 15 weeks premature and facing the challenges of cerebral palsy, he proved to be a fighter of indomitable spirit. What might have daunted others only seemed to forge within him an unshakable determination. This tenacity carried him through his formative years, where he not only excelled as a cellist but also graduated with First-Class Honours, earning renown as a gifted composer.
His compositions, rich with emotion and precision, have graced some of the most esteemed venues, including the Barbican in London. To hear his music is to witness the fusion of talent and resolve, a harmony that echoes his journey through life and Freemasonry alike.
Beyond his achievements in the arts, Ewan has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for many. As a lay preacher and motivational speaker, his words resonate with wisdom and courage. He speaks not just of the challenges he has faced but of the triumphs that come when one embraces the values of perseverance and faith. His audiences, much like his brethren, are moved by his example, drawn to the light he carries.
Under Ewan’s stewardship, the Lodge of St. Olaf finds itself in capable hands. The brethren look to him not merely as a leader but as a symbol of the Craft’s enduring strength and relevance. His story, though still unfolding, is one of promise—a reminder that the Light of Freemasonry shines brightest in those who rise to its challenges and embody its virtues.
As the embers of that December night glowed warmly in the hearts of all present, it was clear that Bro. Ewan Mackay’s ascent was not merely an event but the beginning of a new chapter in the storied annals of Lodge St. Olaf. His youthful vigor, tempered by wisdom beyond his years, inspired all who beheld his rise to the East.
Though the road ahead would undoubtedly bring its share of trials, Ewan’s steadfast character and the unwavering support of his brethren promised a future of growth, unity, and enlightenment for the Lodge. His leadership would serve as both a beacon and a bridge—honoring the traditions of those who came before while charting a course for generations yet to follow.
In the quiet moments of reflection, when the labors of the day were done, the brethren of Lodge St. Olaf could rest easy, assured that their Craft was in safe and capable hands. For in Ewan Mackay, they had not just a Right Worshipful Master, but a torchbearer for the Light eternal, a testament to the enduring spirit of Freemasonry.
And thus, his tale continues, written in the hearts of his brethren and the history of the Lodge, a song of hope and promise sung under the stars of Cruden Bay.
left to right; PGMASE Bro. Douglas Nicol, RWM Bro. Ewan Mackay, P.M, Bro Gordon Mackay
Pictured, Bro.Gordon Mackay PM, Bro Ewan Mackay IPM and Bro. Trevor Cooke RWM
On the eve of March 23rd, 2023, beneath the timeworn rafters of Lodge St. Olaf 1188, the brethren gathered for their regular meeting. Yet, this was no ordinary assembly, for it bore a moment of profound significance—a ceremony to honor Immediate Past Master Brother Ewan Mackay, and to mark the enduring legacy of friendship and brotherhood that binds the Lodge across generations.
As the brethren filled the hall, their voices hushed in reverence, Trevor the Worshipful presided with an air of solemnity. At his side, Brother Ewan stood steadfast, unaware of the tribute soon to be bestowed upon him—a gift steeped in history and affection, bound by the threads of fate and memory.
It was Past Master Gordon Mackay (Ewan’s father) who rose to speak, his voice carrying the weight of the occasion. “Brethren,” he began, “tonight, we honor not only the service of Brother Ewan Mackay as Immediate Past Master but also the spirit of fraternity that transcends time. To mark this occasion, we present him with a jewel—a token of both honor and connection to one who shaped his path long before he walked it himself.”
The jewel in question was no ordinary ornament. It was the Past Master’s jewel once worn by Brother Kenny Davidson, a storied leader of Lodge St. Olaf who had held the office of R.W.M. from 1986 to 1988. Kenny had long since ascended to the Grand Lodge Above, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, humor, and literary prowess. Yet, through the mysteries of providence, this jewel now found its way to Brother Ewan, whose life had intertwined with Kenny’s in ways both unexpected and endearing.
Gordon recounted the tale of young Ewan, a mere lad of five summers, who had boldly opened the Mackay household door to greet the esteemed Kenny Davidson. With the confidence of a seasoned host, Ewan invited Kenny into the lounge and offered him a refreshment—whisky from the family drinks cupboard, no less! Kenny, suppressing his laughter, graciously declined, soon realising that Ewan’s mother was otherwise occupied upstairs. It was a scene of such innocent charm that Kenny would recount it with mirth for years to come.
Yet, their bond was not limited to whimsical anecdotes. Kenny, a prolific writer in the Doric tongue, had dedicated one of his works, I Ploomins Grep an’ Werd, to young Ewan when he was but 18 months old—a gesture that foretold the friendship that would bloom between them as the years unfolded.
When Kenny Davidson passed into the annals of Lodge history, his Past Master’s jewel was bequeathed to the Lodge, awaiting the right moment to shine once more. That moment came with Brother Ewan, a Lewis Mason whose own journey began in 2014, 3 years after Kenny had first departed.
The brethren of Lodge St. Olaf saw the symmetry in their connection, the echo of mentorship and memory that resonated between them. And so, with pride and purpose, they determined that this jewel should adorn the breast of Brother Ewan Mackay, a tangible link to the past and a beacon for the future.
Ewan, visibly moved as his father presented the jewel, expressed his surprise and gratitude. “It is not only an honor,” he said, “but a responsibility, to carry forward the spirit of those who came before us—of Kenny, who was a friend and mentor to my family, and of all those whose legacies guide our steps.”
With a wry grin, Trevor the Worshipful concluded the presentation with a sentiment that brought laughter to the hall. “We’re all for recycling at Lodge St. Olaf,” he declared, eliciting a round of hearty applause. Indeed, the gesture was emblematic of the Lodge’s ethos: not merely preserving history but repurposing it, imbuing it with new life and meaning.
Brother Ewan, now adorned with Kenny’s jewel and the Past Master’s apron of another family friend, the late Brother Derek Stephen, carried these symbols with pride. Together, they stood as reminders of the unbroken chain of fellowship that stretched from the Lodge’s earliest days to the present and beyond.
As the meeting concluded, the brethren gathered to congratulate Brother Ewan, their words mingling with shared memories of Kenny Davidson. The hall was alive with the spirit of fraternity, the ties of friendship and respect binding them as surely as the oaths they had sworn.
Thus, another chapter was written in the storied history of Lodge St. Olaf—a tale of jewels and memories, of laughter and loyalty, and of the enduring light of brotherhood that shines across generations.
The End… For Now.