Well, that's our last meeting of the year done and dusted and it was great to end on a high with our R.W.M. Bro. Gordon Yeoman presenting Bro. Alex Stewart M.M. with his 50-year G.L.O.S. jewel, the fifth Lodge member to receive this newly-created jewel during 2017.

It was good also to welcome our last deputation of the year from Lodge Gorebridge Dundas 1039 headed by their R.W.M. Bro. Simon Fairley.  And all the brethren enjoyed a well-worked Master Mason Degree, with a huge thanks to Bro. Alan Banks H.M. for stepping in as our candidate.

All in all, 2017 has been an exciting year. Since our Installation in February we've welcomed 22 deputations and seven new Honorary Members - and of course our latest Master Mason Bro. Scott Travis.

​And one of the major highlights was in November at the Festival that followed the Installation of The Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason and his Office Bearers when our R.W.M. replied to the toast to Sister Lodges. A very proud moment indeed for Bro. Gordon and for Lodge Kirkliston Maitland 482.

Bro. Gordon described being Right Worshipful Master of 482 as 'A Dream Job', one that would be totally impossible without the help of all the Lodge Brethren.

Bro. Gordon said: "I would really like to express my sincere thanks for support of the office bearers, Past Masters and brethren during 2017. They have been absolutely fantastic and I'm so grateful."

He then added: "I would also like to mention our Secretary Bro. Murrie Thomson and his good lady Janet, our W.J.W. Bro. Peter Cox and his good lady Karen for all their help with harmonies during the year. And of course our President of Stewards Bro. Alex 'Sugar' Clark for all his work behind the scenes. Without this support, the Lodge just wouldn't run so smoothly."

Now we can look forward to 2018 when we celebrate our 150th Anniversary. A special year indeed. And as part of the celebration we'll be presenting new Lodge furniture and an amazing new Lodge Banner!!

However, before that big day we have our Installation on Saturday 3rd February when Bro. Gordon will again be Installed into the Chair of King Solomon.

Our first meeting of 2018 will be on Wednesday 17th January when we'll be working a Fellowcraft Degree and we look forward to welcoming members and visitors on the night.

In the meantime we wish all our members, Honorary members and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful New Year.

Lodge Kirkliston Maitland 482 are delighted to have been involved in the project to 'Light Up Kirkliston' this Christmas.

Because of budget cuts, the City of Edinburgh Council announced that they would no longer provide Christmas lights for the village so a group of dedicated volunteers set up a fund-raising initiative to ensure Kirkliston did indeed have Christmas Lights.

The 482 brethren have sponsored one of the 25 lamp-posts placed along the Main Street and down Path Brae, all of which were switched on at the beginning of the month.

Our Right Worshipful Master Bro. Gordon Yeoman said: "Christmas is for kids and we're delighted to have joined the many other businesses, organisations and individuals who have stepped in to help 'Light Up Kirkliston' at this special time of the year and we salute the volunteers and the community for their magnificent effort and truly sparkling result."

A double celebration at our meeting on Wednesday when we welcomed our latest Master Mason and our newest Honorary Member.

With Bro. Peter Ritchie P.M. in the Chair, Bro. Scott Travis was Raised to the High and Sublime Degree of Master Mason and, earlier in the evening, our Right Worshipful Master Bro. Gordon Yeoman conferred Honorary Membership on Bro. John Anderson, Master Elect at Lodge St. Margaret South Queensferry 548.

And joining members and visitors on the night were excellent deputations from Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho No. 85 and Lodge St. Margaret South Queensferry 548, heading by their respective Right Worshipful Masters Bro. Kenny McMaster (H.M. 482) and Bro. Trevor Cronin.

During the unofficial harmony that followed the R.W.M. proposed toasts to both brethren and the duo were very warmly received by all present.

​On behalf of himself and his Dad, Bro. Sid Yeoman H.M. 482, Bro. Gordon then presented Bro. Scott with a new Master Mason Apron and Sash.

​And congratulations to the degree team on a first-class Master Mason degree.

Congratulations and Celebration certainly were most certainly the order of the day at our meeting on Wednesday.

Congratulations to Master Mason Bro. Stuart Donald and his team when he took the Chair for an exemplification of an EA Degree - and Celebration when Bro. Dick Munro, a Past Master of Lodge Dalhousie Bonnyrigg 720, became the latest Honorary Member at Lodge Kirkliston Maitland.

Honorary Membership was first on the agenda and our R.W.M. Bro. Gordon Yeoman thanked and complimented Bro. Dick on being a long term friend of Lodge Kirkliston Maitland. Bro. Dick thanked the R.W.M. and all the members of 482 for this great honour, adding that it reflected not only on him, but on everyone at Lodge Dalhousie Bonnyrigg.

The R.W.M. then presented Bro. Dick with a certificate, jewel and one of our new Lodge ties.

The Lodge then worked a 'step up' Degree with Bro. Gary Cox, a Master Mason of 'Auld 13' as our candidate. This was the first time Bro. Stuart had presided over 1st Degree and two other Lodge Office Bearers also carried out parts of the EA ritual for the very first time.

Bro. Peter Cox, who 'stepped up' to W.S.W. had never before presented the ritual of that office and Bro. Greig Robinson who 'stepped up' as S.D. presented the secrets for the first time.

Our R.W.M. complimented Bro. Stuart and all his team on their excellent degree work and this sentiment was echoed by all present. The R.W.M. also thanked Bro. Gary for 'stepping in' as our candidate.

Bro. Craig Gordon presents a certificate to our Right Worshipful Master Bro. Gordon Yeoman to mark the contribution made by 482 to the recent Provincial Grand Lodge of Midlothian Charity Golf Tournament.

With £3000 raised, the event was a great success and, as an added bonus, the team representing 482 won the tournament by two strokes.

Team Captain was the R.W.M's son-in law Bro. Grant Milne and Bro. Craig also presented a £75 voucher for each of the team members.

Bro. Craig is a Past Master of Lodge Dalhousie Bonnyrigg 720 and Honorary Member of Lodge Kirkliston Maitland

The second half of the 482 Masonic Season gets underway on Wednesday 6th September. This will be our AGM and for members only.

Our meeting on Wednesday 20th is an E.A. Degree and will be worked by Bro. Murrie Thomson P.M. All welcome.

Bro. Les Duff P.M. once again answered the age old rallying call when he took part in the 2017 "Two Bridges Six Province" Charity Cycle Event which this year was raising funds for MND Scotland.

Bro. Les flew the flag for the Province of Midlothian in the company of Bro. Alan Young R.W.M. of Lodge Liberton 1201 and the total amount raised so far is over £12,000.

"The conditions were much better than last year" said Les. "There was a great atmosphere surrounding the event and great camaraderie between the riders. Heavy rain near the end of the run didn't dampen our spirits." 

Kirkliston Bowling Club made it five-in-a-row when they again defeated 482 to win the 2017 Bob Duff Trophy Tournament.

It was an aggregate win, with event organiser Les Duff's rink winning and the other three scores in favour of KBC. The photo shown the first jack being thrown by Les's sister, Linda Faichney.

​It was another superb day and yet another opportunity to further cement the relationship between Kirkliston Bowling Club and Lodge Kirkliston Maitland.

Match over, both teams retired to the comfort of the lounge for a few celebration drinks.

You can view a selection of photographs from the event HERE.