Early Royal Arch working
Royal Arch Freemasonry is known to have been worked in the Province from around this year.
About the Province
Rooted in history, focused on the future
Royal Arch Freemasonry has been worked in Angus and Mearns since the eighteenth century.
Our history
From 1765 to the present day
Royal Arch Freemasonry has been worked in the Province since around 1765. In 1861, Sir John Ogilvy, Baronet, became the first Grand Superintendent.
The first Grand Superintendent to appoint commissioned office bearers was Thomas McPherson Bruce Gardyne of Middleton in 1874. At that time, eight Chapters formed the Province: Enoch No.3, Union No.6, Noah No.7, Haran No.8, Hope No.9, Elijah No.12, Strathmore No.19 and Horeb No.23.
Horeb No.23, based in Stonehaven, was later transferred to Aberdeenshire. The other seven early Chapters remain part of the Province.
Milestones
Notable moments
First Grand Superintendent
Sir John Ogilvy, Baronet, is elected and serves until 1872.
Commissioned office bearers
Thomas McPherson Bruce Gardyne of Middleton becomes the first Grand Superintendent to appoint a commissioned team.
Hope No.9 reponed
At Arbroath, James Berry repones the Chapter and 116 Brethren are exalted.
History published
The Province’s detailed history was recorded in History of the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter 1861–2007.
Jurisdiction
The degrees under Provincial oversight
Under the Scottish Constitution, the Province supports work across the Royal Arch series and associated Orders.
Chapter
- Mark Master Mason
- Excellent Master
- Holy Royal Arch
Royal Ark Mariner & RCC
- Royal Ark Mariner
- Red Cross or Babylonish Pass
- Knight of the Sword
- Knight of the East
- Knight of the East & West
Cryptic Council
- Royal Master
- Select Master
- Super Excellent Master
For a fuller explanation of the degrees, visit the official Journey to the Royal Arch page ↗.
Provincial leadership
Office bearers
The names below are carried over from the 2023–24 list on the previous website and should be confirmed before public launch.
Grand SuperintendentDonald DownieHope No.9
Immediate Past Grand SuperintendentEdward BonnarBroughty Castle No.423
Past Grand SuperintendentGordon RossUnion No.6
Past Grand SuperintendentWilliam N. BeckersSt David No.164
Past Grand SuperintendentWilliam McEwanCamperdown No.271
Depute Grand SuperintendentColin WardenAncient No.470
Depute Grand SuperintendentRobert WishartProgress No.421
Provincial Grand H.Kenneth HepburnOperative No.459
Provincial Grand J.Ian CruickshanksStrathmore No.19
Provincial Grand Scribe EPeter StantonNoah No.7
Provincial Grand Scribe NSteven MiddletonEnoch No.3
TreasurerMichael MilneHope No.9
RecorderAlbert FindlayOperative No.459
ChancellorSydney TurnerHope No.9
1st SojournerGeorge LeaburnSt David No.164
2nd SojournerHarry ConwayVictory No.449
3rd SojournerPrimo ZaccariniAncient No.470
Sword BearerColin AdamThistle Operative No.416
Director of CeremoniesAlexander JoinerOperative No.459
Assistant Director of CeremoniesWilliam RattrayAncient No.470
Superintendent of WorksAlex WebsterNoah No.7
1st Standard BearerStephen LewisEnoch No.3
2nd Standard BearerStephen AlexanderCamperdown No.271
3rd Standard BearerIain GilbertUnion No.6
4th Standard BearerSteven SmithHaran No.8
OrganistDavid TaylorAlbert No.503
President of StewardsThomas LloydEnoch No.3