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The Grand Superintendent MEC Gary D. Smith and Provincial Grand Master of Glasgow Brother Alan Cuthill (Honorary Depute Grand Superintendent) during their latest strategy meeting.
The Grand Superintendent, MEC Gary D Smith, presenting a cheque for £1,000 to Kelbourne Park School from the Province, thanks to the generosity of the Companions of Glasgow, with the Treasurer of the PTA and her son accepting the cheque on behalf of the school.
Visit to Athens Greece.
M.E. Companion John Nisbet Steel, Depute First Grand Principal
On 11th May, my wife Caroline and I visited the wonderful city of Athens as a prelude to attending the National Grand Lodge of Greece and the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Greece.
On 6th December 2025, The M.W. Grand Master Bro. Ioannis Benetatos appointed me as Past Senior Grand Warden of the National Grand Lodge of Greece, so it was great honour to attend their 50th Anniversary celebrations meeting on Friday 15th May 2026, over 500 Brethren in attendance.
I also had the distinct pleasure of attending the Grand Master’s Lodge the previous evening.
On 6th December 2025, The M.E. First Grand Principal of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Greece also appointed me as Past Second Grand Principal, so it was a further pleasure to be the main guest and represent the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland at their Annual Convocation on Saturday 16th May 2026.
This was also the installation of M.E. Companion Spyros Doukas as First Grand Principal. Fraternal greetings were exchanged. The previous evening, at the welcome dinner, on behalf of Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland I presented the new First Grand Principal with a bottle of Scotland’s best single malt.
My wife and I were delighted to attend the Grand Festival on the evening of Saturday 16th when I delivered the “Toast to the Ladies”. Over 800 Brethren, Companions and their partners attended.
The hospitality we received during the course of our visit was of the highest quality and standard and we are eternally grateful to the Brethren and Companions of Greece.
MEC John Nisbet Steel, Depute First Grand Principal. (Past Grand Superintendent of Glasgow)
Travels on Behalf of Supreme Grand Chapter.
The Last Twelve Months
May 2025 – Travelled to Gretna with First Grand Principal for the Annual Dinner and Charity Night of The Provincial Grand Chapter of Dumfriesshire.
June 2025 – Attended the 50th Anniversary of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the Netherlands in Holland.
September 2025 – Along with the First Grand Principal, we visited Nassau in The Bahamas to install the new Grand Superintendent MEC Dr. Richard Anthony Stewart
.
September 2025 – Along with the First Grand Principal, we visited Bridgetown Barbados to re-install the Grand Superintendent MEC J.W. David L.G. Clarke.
October 2025 – Along with the First Grand Principal, we attended the District Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the Middle East in Ipoh, Malaysia. At the same venue, we attended the District Grand Lodge of the Middle East.
December 2025 – Attended the Grand Chapter of British Royal Arch Masons in Germany at their annual Convocation in Paderborn, Germany.
February 2026 – On 20th February, I attended the Installation of MEC Ross A. Fleming as Grand Superintendent of the PGRAC of Linlithgowshire in Whitburn.
February 2026 - On 28th February I attended the Installation of MEC David Lessels as Grand Superintendent of the PGRAC of Fife & Kinross in Lochgelly.
March 2026 – On 7th March 2026, I attended the Installation of MEC Samuel Tremble as Grand Superintendent of the PGRAC of Ayrshire.
March 2026 – On 14th March 2026, I attended the Installation of MEC Gordon K. McAlpine as Grand Superintendent of the PGRAC of Lanarkshire Middle Ward in Bellshill.
April 2026 – On 25th April 2026, I attended the Installation of MEC William J.M. McGhee as Grand Superintendent of the PGRAC of Perthshire in Aberfeldy.
May 2026 – On 15th May 2026, I will be attending the 40th Anniversary meeting of the National Grand Lodge of Greece and on 16th May, I will be attending the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Greece for the Installation of Spyros Doukas as First Grand Principal.
My Journey in Royal Arch Freemasonry
M.E.C John Nisbet Steel
Depute First Grand Principal
The rise from Exaltation to Depute First Grand Principal in 43 short years.
My journey in Royal Arch Freemasonry began in April of 1982 in Glasgow. I accepted an invitation to join Thetis Chapter No 122 and was so impressed by the ritual that I quickly became involved in the Associate Degrees of the Cryptic Council and the Lodge and Council Degrees as well.
My friends in Masonry were also involved with The Cathedral Chapter No 67 and I affiliated there as well and soon became First Principal in 1986 and the same year, Thrice Illustrious Master of The Cathedral Cryptic Council No 67. In 1994 I also served as W.C.N of The Cathedral Lodge and Council No 67.
I have had the distinct honour of holding a Commissioned office in the Provincial Grand Chapter of Glasgow on a number of occasions, Provincial Grand Scribe N 1987-1992, Provincial Grand Scribe E 1992-1995, Provincial Grand Scribe E 1997-2000, Depute Grand Superintendent 2000-2002, and Grand Superintendent 2002-2007. I had the privilege of guiding the Province through its 150th anniversary in 2004, culminating in a weekend of celebrations, starting off with a Royal Arch Degree carried out by the Office-bearers of Supreme Grand Chapter, a dinner dance and a Rededication Service held in Glasgow Cathedral.
I have also served as Provincial Grand Treasurer since 2012, with a break between 2008 and 2011 that’s about 35 years’ service to the Province of Glasgow.
My career in the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland began as a member of Supreme
Committee in 1988 on the Bye Laws Committee and became Chairman in 1993. I have also served in the offices up to Third Grand Sojourner until I became Grand Superintendent of Glasgow.
I had the privilege of being appointed as Depute Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2014 and Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2017. Third Grand Principal from 2020 until 2022, Second Grand Principal 2022 until 2025. Depute First Grand Principal from 2025.
I have had some wonderful experiences during my terms of office in Supreme Grand Chapter, the highlight of course being involved in the 200th anniversary proceedings. I have also represented Supreme Grand Chapter in deputations to India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Spain and Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Australia, however the single most unexpected honour was in November 2019 when our M.E. First Grand Principal wrote and graciously offered me the appointment as Third Grand Principal of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland, to which I of course replied affirmatively.
Hopefully my sojourn in Royal Arch Freemasonry is not complete and there are further duties which I will be able to accomplish.
I am extremely proud to say, that’s not bad for a wee boy from Ayrshire.
John N. Steel
Depute First Grand Principal
Supreme Grand RAC of Scotland