6 February 1999 (125th Anniversary): A Special Meeting was held to celebrate the 125th Anniversary Rededication Ceremony[cite: 1]. A large deputation from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Linlithgowshire, headed by Bro Gavin McDonald (Provincial Grand Master), entered the Lodge[cite: 1]. The Rededication Ceremony was carried out by Bro Gavin McDonald PGM, assisted by Bro Derek Milne PM (Provincial Grand Chaplain)[cite: 1].
Library Donation: After the ceremony, Bro Roienton M S Bhumgara and Bro Arthur D Johnson donated their personal Masonic Library to the Lodge[cite: 1]. It was named the Lodge St Margaret No 548 Memorial Library in memory of Bro Alec Fraser PM, PPGM and Bro James Milne PM, PDPGM[cite: 1]. Bro William Rennie RWM warmly accepted the resource[cite: 1]. Bro Derek Milne PM subsequently carried out a Service of Dedication for the new library[cite: 1].
23 February 1999: In recognition of their library donation, Bro William Rennie RWM conferred Honorary Membership on Bro Roienton Bhumgara and Bro Arthur Johnson[cite: 1].
14 December 1999: At the First Regular Meeting, Bro Tom Chmylowskyj PM announced his participation in the 2000 Loony Dook charity swim in the River Forth to raise sponsor backup[cite: 1].
2000
New Millennium Master: Bro Robert Forrest was installed into the Chair of the Lodge by Installing Masters Bro Derek Milne PM and Bro Tom Chmylowskyj PM[cite: 1].
25 January 2000: The Lodge was saddened by the passing of Honorary Member Bro Roienton Bhumgara after a short illness[cite: 1].
11 April 2000: Bro Robert Forrest RWM informed the Brethren of the sad passing of Bro Alexander Tulloch PM[cite: 1].
29 April 2000: A social organized by Bro James Liddell raised £650 for the Solway Harvester Families Appeal, following the sinking of the scallop dredger on 11 January 2000[cite: 1].
10 October 2000: Bro Keith Walledge WJW thanked Bro Colin Leslie SD for organizing the annual golf outing[cite: 1]. Bro Derek Milne PM won the Lodge 548 Trophy, and his son Kyle Milne won the Visitors’ Trophy[cite: 1].
12 December 2000: Bro James McDonald PM and a team of Past Masters conferred the Master Mason degree on Bro John Neal[cite: 1]. Bro Derek Milne PM dedicated a new Bible Dais Fall in memory of Bro Alexander Tulloch PM[cite: 1].
2001
13 January 2001: Life Membership Certificates were presented to Bro James McDonald PM and Bro Norman Colborne for 21 consecutive years of test fee payments[cite: 1].
19 April 2001: Bro Alistair Gall (Worshipful Master) headed a deputation from Benevolence Lodge No 4035 (English Constitution) to work an exemplification of a First Degree[cite: 1].
14 June 2001 (The Great Fire): A devastating fire occurred in the early hours, gutting the lounge and bar areas, severely damaging the main hall by flash fire, and causing heavy water damage to the lower floor[cite: 1].
18 June 2001: A Special Management Committee meeting was convened at the Boat Club to address the crisis[cite: 1].
6 August 2001:Lodge Kirkliston Maitland No 482 kindly offered their premises for meetings[cite: 1]. A Fire Sub-Committee was formed (including Bro Robert Forrest, Bro George Whittle as Insurance Broker, and others) to navigate the insurance process[cite: 1]. Forensic teams attributed the fire to “carelessly discarded smoking material”[cite: 1].
13 November 2001: Bro Tom Chmylowskyj PM received his Life Membership Certificate[cite: 1].
11 December 2001: The first regular meeting was held back inside the refurbished premises, successfully restored in just six months[cite: 1]. Bro George Whittle shared that the Grand Master Mason, Bro Sir Archibald Orr Ewing, conferred the rank of Honorary Grand Director of Ceremonies on Bro Derek Milne PM[cite: 1].
2002
11 January 2002: Bro Norman Ford and Bro Alistair Gall (Lodge Benevolence No 4035 EC) presented the new RWM, Bro James Adamson, with a commemorative wall clock from the Brethren of the Province of Warwickshire to replace the timepiece lost in the fire[cite: 1].
26 February 2002: The Annual Visit from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Linlithgowshire (headed by PGM Bro Gavin MacDonald) included a Rededication Ceremony for the restored temple, furniture, and regalia[cite: 1]. Bro Gavin MacDonald accepted Honorary Membership[cite: 1].
12 March 2002: Payments of £250 each were approved for the Boat Club and Lodge Kirkliston Maitland No 482 for the temporary use of their venues[cite: 1]. A gift of £100 was awarded to Bro Gordon Yeoman PM for his skilled restoration of the fire-damaged Lodge Charter[cite: 1].
23 April 2002: The Lodge received a framed print of Bro Alec Fraser PM in his PGM regalia, painted by Bro David Paris Craig PM, replacing the original portrait lost in the fire[cite: 1].
27 December 2002: Life Membership Certificates were presented to Bro Willie Rennie PM and Bro Alec Irving[cite: 1].
2003
14 January 2003: Bro George Preston PGM conferred the rank of Honorary Senior Provincial Grand Deacon on Bro Norman Colborne[cite: 1]. The regalia and jewel were formally presented on 11 March[cite: 1].
24 April 2003: Lodge Benevolence No 4035 EC visited to demonstrate a First Degree and Tracing Board[cite: 1].
9 September 2003: Bro James Hilditch PPGM delivered a lecture entitled “Apathetic Mason”[cite: 1].
14 October 2003: Approved sponsorship of the Hot Chestnut Barrow for the Christmas in Queensferry lights switch-on[cite: 1].
28 October 2003: Bro Morgen Zeidler (Lodge De Tre Hamre No 815, Danish Constitution) presented 75th Jubilee Medals from the Grand Lodge of Denmark to Bro George Preston PGM and Bro Tom Chmylowskyj PM[cite: 1].
9 December 2003: The Lodge marked the sad passing of Bro Robert Denholm Summers PM with a piper’s lament and memorial service[cite: 1].
2004
26 April 2004: Bro James Liddell (Depute Master) was thanked for raising £1,500 for the Sam McLean Appeal[cite: 1].
3 September 2004: Hosted a successful Past Masters Dinner[cite: 1]. Bro Derek Milne PM presented RWM Bro Keith Walledge with a gold pocket watch belonging to the late Bro Alec Fraser PM[cite: 1]. It was decreed that this watch become part of the RWM’s official regalia passed down to future successors[cite: 1].
28 September 2004: Bro Arnott Robertson added to this regalia by presenting a gold Albert chain and medallion in memory of his father, Bro Robert D Robertson PM (Master 1941–1943)[cite: 1].
23 November 2004: A Lodge of Sorrow was held for Bro Alexander Tulloch PM and Bro Robert D Summers PM[cite: 1].
2006 – 2007
14 February 2006: In compliance with the new Scottish Parliament indoor smoking ban, the Lodge moved to full compliance and purchased “No Smoking” signage[cite: 1].
12 December 2006: A Lodge of Sorrow was held for Bro James Orr PM (Master during the 1974 Centenary Year)[cite: 1].
27 February 2007: Bro George Preston, PGM of Linlithgowshire, was made an Honorary Member[cite: 1].
2008 – 2009
11 March 2008: In a unique ceremony, Bro Robert D Harris RWM invited Bro Derek Milne PM to temporarily take the Chair to initiate his two sons, Kyle and Grant Milne, into Freemasonry[cite: 1].
5 May 2008: Noted with sadness the death of Queensferry Parish Minister, Rev. John Carrie, who served the community for over 40 years[cite: 1].
4 May 2009: Bro Kevin Mullen updated the committee on the launch of the new Lodge website[cite: 1].
Summer 2009: The Jim Liddell Memorial Dinner raised over £5,000 for local charities, with £3,000 going directly to the Ferry Fair Festival[cite: 1].
15 September 2009: Mourned the passing of Honorary Members Bro John Grant and Bro Dr Ian H Thomson[cite: 1].
19 September 2009: Welcomed an English delegation from Astley Lodge No 2997 EC, reviving a bi-annual inter-lodge visit tradition originating in the 1970s[cite: 1].
2010 – 2012
14 September 2010: Mourned the passing of Bro Kenneth Lindsay, PGM[cite: 1].
14 December 2010: A rare weather cancellation occurred due to severe cold conditions rendering access to the building unsafe[cite: 1].
13 September 2011: WSW Bro Andrew Combe launched the official Lodge St Margaret Facebook Page to coordinate digital communications[cite: 1].
31 October 2011: Hosted the Provincial Grand Lodge of Linlithgowshire Annual Reigning Masters’ Degree[cite: 1].
9 October 2012: Bro Bruce Liddell RWM conferred Honorary Membership on Bro Gordon Yeoman PM for his incredible work archiving and restoring fire-damaged materials[cite: 1].
2013 – 2015
9 April 2013: The Lodge Curling Team presented the runners-up trophy from the Scottish Masonic Curling Competition[cite: 1]. Bro John McCabe Smith received his 50-Year Jubilee Certificate[cite: 1].
24 September 2013: To streamline administrative business, the Brethren approved delivering minutes via email rather than reading them aloud in open Lodge, though the physical Minute Book remains meticulously hand-written[cite: 1].
28 November 2013: Bro Norman Colborne was conferred the rank of Honorary Grand Senior Deacon[cite: 1].
11 February 2014: The Brethren designated First Aid Responders and Blood Bikes as localized charity benefactors[cite: 1].
24 February 2015: Bro Arnott Robertson was awarded his 50-Year Jubilee Certificate[cite: 1].
24 March 2015: Welcomed a large delegation of 21 Brethren travelling from the Grand Lodge of Finland[cite: 1].
22 September 2015: The Lodge celebrated sports victories by winning both the Tyler’s Cup and the Centenary Cup in competitive bowling[cite: 1]. Bro Ian Simpson received his 50-Year Jubilee Certificate[cite: 1].
2016 – 2017
Summer 2016: Senior Deacon Bro Robert Hawkins MBE requested permissions to feature the Lodge in a documentary focusing on his naval life aboard the newly constructed HMS Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier at Rosyth Dockyard[cite: 1].
27 December 2016: Unanimous approval was granted to purchase and install a public defibrillator on the property[cite: 1].
Early 2017 Losses: The Lodge suffered the untimely losses of past masters Bro James B.B. Adamson PM (aged 58)[cite: 1], Bro Kenneth MacDougall PM[cite: 1], and highly regarded Provincial Grand Chaplain Bro Tom Chmylowskyj PM[cite: 1]. Lodges of Sorrow were respectfully held throughout the year[cite: 1].
28 November 2017: Following a tribute service, PGM Bro James Ellis invited Bro Norman Colborne to accept the office of Grand Steward at the Grand Lodge of Scotland to assume the duties of his late friend, Bro Tom Chmylowskyj[cite: 1].
2018 – 2019
23 January 2018: Bro John Anderson, in his first meeting as RWM, presented Bro George Whittle with a 50-Year Jubilee Certificate and Jewel[cite: 1]. Additional Jubilee Jewels were presented retrospectively to Bro Arnott Robertson, Bro John Smith, and Bro Ian Simpson[cite: 1].
12 February 2019: Bible Bearer Bro Richard Buffrey walked from John O’Groats to Land’s End to raise charity funds for Edinburgh’s Sick Kids Hospital[cite: 1]. Total annual charity distributions reached £6,947.25[cite: 1].
April 2019 (Copenhagen Trip): RWM Bro John Anderson led a 19-man deputation to St George De Fidilitas No 823 in Copenhagen to perform a demonstration First Degree[cite: 1]. They also visited the Danish Grand Lodge for the installation of Grand Master Bro Per Hellmund[cite: 1].
10 December 2019: Bro Norman Colborne was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Members Service (DMS) Award for 40 years of service—the first in the history of Lodge 548[cite: 1].
2020 – 2022 (Pandemic & Renovation Era)
23 March 2020: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdown mandates, the Grand Lodge of Scotland suspended all Masonic gatherings[cite: 1]. The suspension lasted 18 months[cite: 1]. During this interim, Almoner Bro Norman Colborne maintained a vital community safety-net via email updates regarding health, illnesses, and tracking Lodge widows[cite: 1].
Renovations & Materials Crisis: Building modernization plans earmarked for the upcoming 150th Anniversary celebration faced massive delays due to global supply chain material shortages[cite: 1]. Through dedicated volunteer labor by Bro John Anderson RWM, Bro Stephen Berry, Bro Alex Roberts, Bro Richard Reid, and Bro Norman Colborne, renovations wrapped successfully by Summer 2022[cite: 1].
20 September 2022 (The Return): The first regular assembly since March 2020 took place[cite: 1]. The Lodge marked a moment of silence for the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and honored 10 Brethren lost during the dark lockdown years[cite: 1].
Masonic Service Awards: Long-standing service honors were distributed[cite: 1]:
Platinum (75 Years): Bro Thomas Haig PM[cite: 1]
Platinum (70 Years): Bro Allan Stewart[cite: 1]
Jubilee (50 Years): Bro William Cogdell, Bro George Hogg, Bro Kenneth Anderson, Bro William Hill, Bro Peter Allan, and Bro Derek Milne PM[cite: 1]
Ladies Committee: A dynamic new Ladies Committee was formed by partners of members to spearhead social fundraising for the 150th Celebration Fund[cite: 1].
Charity Walk: Bro John Anderson IPM completed the West Highland Way Walk, successfully generating £1,600 for Queensferry Churches Care in the Community[cite: 1].
2023 – 2024
24 January 2023: WSW Bro Robert Hawkins MBE was named Chairman of the 150-Year Celebration Committee, with Bro John Anderson RWM stepping in as Recorder[cite: 1].
25 April 2023: Bro John Anderson presented Bro John McCabe Smith with his Diamond Certificate and Jewel celebrating an exceptional 60 years of masonic service, highlighting his long popularity as Lodge Steward and Tyler[cite: 1].
12 September 2023: The “150 Club” initiative was launched at a tier of £150 per seat to guarantee celebration dinner access, ties, history books, and historical memorabilia[cite: 1].
October 2023: The Lodge suffered a major blow with the sudden passing of its Worshipful Senior Warden, Commander Robert Henry Hawkins MBE, Royal Navy[cite: 1]. Bro Derek Milne PM stepped in to guide the 150th Planning Committee[cite: 1].
12 December 2023: A historically unique meeting took place when three members joined simultaneously via three completely different methods: Mr. Marshall McKenzie (Initiated), Bro John Sandilands (Affiliated), and past PGM Bro James Ellis (Made an Honorary Member)[cite: 1].
27 January 2024: The Annual Installation ceremony saw Bro John Anderson officially installed as Right Worshipful Master to guide Lodge St Margaret No 548 through its historic Sesquicentennial (150th) Celebrations[cite: 1].
