Dornoch Royal Arch Chapter No 374
Masonic Hall, Bridge Street, Dornoch
Meetings:-1st Thursday, October to April inclusive:-8:00pm
The Royal Arch is a natural progression from the normal degrees witnessed in what are regularly referred to as the 'Blue Lodges'. Brethren should on most occasions have done the Royal Arch Degree before considering joining other side orders and will often find that membership of a Royal Arch Chapter is essential. As Dornoch Royal Arch is the only Arch Chapter in Sutherland and does not have any Sister Chapters it therefore answers directly to The Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland, The Dornoch Royal Arch meets once a month on the first Thursday of the month from October through to April at 8:00pm in the Masonic Hall in Dornoch. It has become tradition in the last few years to hold a special meeting, usually in March, taking place on a Saturday afternoon, on this day the whole degree is conferred on a candidate, (usual practice is to split it between two evenings) it is then followed by a fund raising dinner and auction. The money raised on these evenings is donated to local charities and has been known to be more than £1000 on occasion.
History
An extract taken from the minute book following the meeting on 14th November 1912 at Lodge St Gilbert reads:- "The R.W.M. informed the meeting of a desire among the Brethren that a Royal Arch Chapter should be formed and that five of the Brethren were recently made Royal Arch Masons. Royal Arch Masons of Tain and Invergordon Chapters agreed to assist in the formation of a Chapter in Dornoch. The five brethren who were R.A.M.'s were to approach the Office Bearers of St Gilbert to advance the funds to form the Chapter."
On 28th November 1912 the minute reads:- "St Gilberts Lodge agreed to advance the funds on terms agreed by the Office Bearers, a sum of £50 was suggested."
On the 26th December of that same year a meeting was held in the Masonic Hall, Dornoch, present were the five members of St Gilbert's who had been made Royal Arch Masons, James Rideout, David G. Murray, William Dunbar, Harry E. Rattray, and D. F. MacLeod and the Office Bearers of Lodge St Gilbert, they agreed that the newly formed Chapter would be called the Dornoch Royal Arch.
On the 11th March 1913 the Charter was granted to Dornoch Royal Arch Chapter no 374 by the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland.
The Dedication of the Chapter and Installation of Office Bearers took place on 4th April 1913. The ceremony was performed by Sir Arthur MacKenzie of Coul of Bart, Grand Superintendent of Ross and Inverness.
The first Installed Office Bearers of the the chapter were:-
MEZ:- Donald Francis MacLeod
MEH:- James Rideout
MEJ:- David G. Murray
ESE:- Alexander W. Brook
ESN:- Angus Smith
Treasurer:- William McRobbie
E 1st Soj:- Harry Edgar Rattray
E 2nd Soj:- William Dunbar
E 3rd Soj:- John Beange
Following the Installation the first meeting of Dornoch Royal Arch Chapter No 374 was opened and six members of St Gilbert No 790 received the M.M., E.M., and R.A.M. Degrees. There after the Companions adjourned to the Sutherland Arms Hotel, Dornoch for dinner and speeches.
Charitable Donations
2000
Muscular Dystrophy £306
MacMillan Cancer £306
Beachview Lodge £306
2001
Cambusavie Equipment Fund £500
2002
Rainbow Ward Raigmore £942.15
2003
C.R.U.S.E. Bereavement Care £100
Crossroads Young Parents £100
Lairg Community Association £100
Embo Community Centre £100
Sutherland Autistic Group £100
Migdale Patients Comfort Fund £100
Puffin Hydrotherapy Pool £100
2004
Brora Community Centre £150
Dornoch Community Nursing Fund £150
Golspie Biblical Garden £150
2005
Sutherland Crossroads Care £500
Sutherland Young Carers £100
Golspie in Bloom £50
Dornoch in Bloom £50
PGL St Gilbert St Donan St Andrew Loch Shin Laxford Clyne Eastern Star Calendar News
Contact:-sutherlandmasonic.info