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On behalf of the Grand Superintendent, MEC Gary D. Smith, and all at the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Glasgow, we send hearty congratulations to Past Grand Superintendent MEC John N. Steel, Depute First Grand Principal, on his appointment as Past Senior Grand Warden of the National Grand Lodge of Greece, by the Grand Master, Ioannis Benetatos.
Companions,
Please be advised that the Meeting of Thetis Royal Arch Chapter No. 122, scheduled for Thursday 4th June 2026, has been cancelled.
The Grand Superintendent, MEC Gary D. Smith recently attended the Annual Convocation of the Grand Senatus of the Order of the Scarlet Cord in London and was on duty as Grand Sword Bearer.
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.
Companions,
The Meeting of Pollok RAC No. 519 scheduled for Tuesday 19th May 2026 has been cancelled.
On Wednesday 29th April 2026, MEC Robert McFarlane, Depute Grand Superintendent, and MEC Ian Haldane, Provincial Grand Third Principal, represented the Province of Glasgow at the Half-Yearly Convocation of the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Lanarkshire Middle Ward.
The Depute Grand Superintendent MEC Robert McFarlane is pictured with members of the Commission, along with visiting Grand Superintendents and Companions from Sister Provinces, at the Half-Yearly Convocation of the PGRAC of Glasgow held on Monday, 13th April 2026.
The Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Glasgow, extends warm Easter greetings to all Companions, their families, and friends.
At this sacred season, as we reflect upon the resurrection of our Lord and the triumph of hope, light, and renewal, may Easter bring peace to your hearts, strength to your faith, and joy to your homes.
Wishing you all a blessed and peaceful Easter.
The Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Glasgow sends its warmest congratulations to MEC Gary Smith, Grand Superintendent, on his installation this afternoon at High Council in Edinburgh as Junior Substitute Supreme Magus of the SRIS.
We wish him every success and fulfilment in this distinguished office.
The Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Glasgow extends its warmest congratulations to the following Senior Royal Arch Companions on their appointment to the highest offices within Glasgow Sovereign Council.
Warm congratulations to MEC David Morrison on completing his year as Grand Commander of the 30th Degree.
Best wishes to MEC Gary Smith on his appointment as the new Grand Commander, to MEC Robert McFarlane on his appointment as Grand Treasurer, and to MEC Jim Orr on his appointment as Grand Secretary.
These distinguished appointments reflect the dedication, commitment, and exemplary service each Companion has given to Freemasonry.
The Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Glasgow wishes them every success and fulfilment as they undertake the important duties of their respective offices.
On Friday 27th March 2026, Clydesdale RAC No. 489 travelled to Eyemouth at the invitation of Land of Cakes RAC No. 15 to confer the Royal Arch degree.
The ceremonial work was very well received and a fine evening of companionship was enjoyed by all.
The Land of Cakes RAC No. 15 is the Chapter where Robert Burns was made a Royal Arch Freemason.
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