Update from the Grand Lodge of Scotland  Question: will Grand Lodge give all Lodges a year without paying Annual Fees?

• Answer: Is No. first, that would require a motion to be placed in front of Grand Lodge and there will be no meeting of Grand Lodge this year. We would ask that the Brethren continue to pay their Test Fees as normal. Each Lodge pays an Annual Capitation Fee of £33 per member to Grand Lodge. In the majority of Lodges but not all, that amount is included in the annual Test Fee. It is important therefore that Brethren continue to pay their Test Fee in order that the Lodge receives its portion and that Provincial or District Lodges receive their portion. We do acknowledge and appreciate that there may be individual Brethren who, as a result of Covid-19 are experiencing extreme hardship. It is expected that the Lodge, the Province or District and Grand Lodge would all pull together to assist Brethren and their families who experience such hardship but for the vast majority we would ask that they support their Lodge in particular, Freemasonry in general by paying their annual dues.                             

• Due to the NEW COVID instructions from the Scottish Government Lodge Almoner Brother Charlie Macvicar is now unable to visit Brethren & Widows at their home but will endevour to phone and keep in touch.     
• Subject: George Sturrock Charity Cycle Update - completed.   https://strathcarronhospice.enthuse.com/pf/george-sturrock/post/90970 Please can you thank the Brethren for supporting me in this endeavour. The last few days have been hard with the strong winds.                           

• Memo from the MWGMM                              Dear Sir and Brother, Law 126 of the Constitution and Laws, Please communicate to the Lodge Secretaries in your Provinces, Districts, Superintendent's, at the Communication of the Grand Lodge of Scotland held on the 6th February 2020 the following was approved. "That the provisions of the third paragraph of Law 126 of the Constitution and Laws of the Grand Lodge of Scotland be suspended for a period of one year from the 6th February 2020 and that during this period of one year the payment required to restore a Brother to qualified membership shall be the annual contribution payable for the current year only.” Yours sincerely and fraternally William Ramsay McGhee    Grand Master Mason