Latest News

Castle Park RAC No.520 Installation 2023/2024

The Castle Park RAC No.520 Installation was carried out on 21st September 2023 with a fantastic team of Installing Principals – MEC Andrew S McKeen Immediate Grand Superintendent, MEC Alexander F Moonie Past Grand Superintendent, MEC Walter Archibald Depute Grand Superintendent and MEC George Wilkie Immediate Past Depute Grand Superintendent.

This was the first time in 4 years where the Installation Team carried out full Chair Degrees for the Second and Third Principals, and the Installation was done to a very high standard.

MEC George Veal, First Principal would like to thank the Installing Board and all who attended making it a fantastic night, and looks forward to visiting and supporting other Chapters in the Province in the coming year.

Castle Park RAC No.520 Centenary Celebration – March 2022

It was a great pleasure for Castle Park Royal Arch Chapter that after 2 years of inactivity due to the Covid 19 Global Pandemic, the Centenary Celebration went ahead as planned.

The Ceremony was carried out by The Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland and was the first such Ceremony to be performed since the lockdown. Needless to say, it was all done with exactly the same finesse and to the usual high standards we have all come to see from the team, headed by MEC John J Morrow CBE, Q.C., LL.D, First Grand Principal of Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland.

Thanks to Bro. Murrie Thomson P.M. from Lodge Kirkliston Maitland No.482 for the photography.

Our new Home!

Friday, 01 March 2019 20:55 | Written by George Veal

Castle Park Royal Arch Chapter found themselves in a position of needing to replace and purchase extra items of furniture to create a Chapter at the Astoria Centre in Corstorphine. In addition, due to limited storage space within the venue, there was no guarantee we would be able to store extra items at the premises.

In order to solve this problem, the Castle Park members voted at the last regular Convocation (14th January 2019) to hold future Chapter meetings with in the premises of Lodge Colinton & Currie, M.H. 1 Riccarton Mains Road, Currie, Edinburgh.

The Brethren and Companions at Colinton and Currie have been very welcoming and we find the venue to be perfect for our needs.

We hope that you can join us at our new premises sometime soon.

Return to Kirk Loan – September 2018

Monday, 23 April 2018 19:17 | Written by George Veal

Following the successful return of Lodge St John Corstorphine No.788 to Kirk Loan, we are pleased to announce that The Castle Park Royal Arch Chapter No.520 are doing the same.

Some work has been done behind the scenes to make every attempt to choose a new meeting night (our usual Thursday evening is not available at the venue ) that doesn’t conflict with other meetings within the Province of Mid & East Lothian.

We will now be meeting as follows:

Installation Monday 10th September 2018 (2nd Monday)

Meeting T.B.A. Monday 14th January 2019 (2nd Monday)

Meeting T.B.A. Monday 13th May 2019 (2nd Monday)

We hope the return to Kirk Loan will bring back members and visitors who could not make it to Bonnyrigg where we have been meeting after our old premises were destroyed in 2013.

Finally, a great thanks to Lodge Dalhousie Bonnyrigg No.720, Laird O’Cockpen No.500 and The Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Mid & East Lothian for their support during this time.

Dryburgh Abbey 2015

Monday, 29 June 2015 11:59 | Written by George Veal

Along with our 2nd Principal Ned and our newest companion Harry we visited Melrose Abbey Chapter 337 on Saturday 27th June on the working of their Annual Regular Convocation in the grounds of Dryburgh Abbey. With a few of our honorary members we witnessed M.E.C. Robyn Hayes 1st Principal of 337 and his office bearers confer an an excellent working of the Holy Royal Arch Degree. It a great sight to witness and be part of the Masonic working in such historic grounds as Dryburgh Abbey. The meeting was well supported by the companions near and far and a great night had by all. Roll on next year.

M.E.C. Calum Stewart 1st Principal

Castle Park 520

Fire at Corstorphine Public Hall

Tuesday, 15 October 2013 19:33 | Written by George Veal

Today – 15th October 2013 will be etched in the history of the Corstorphine Public Hall Company.

It was on this day that a fire started and engulfed most of the building, including the Temple for the Masonic Lodge – St John Corstorphine No.788 and Castle Park Royal Arch Chapter No.520.

St John Corstorphine was formed in 1892 and held all it’s meeting within this building until with the last meeting being held on Thursday 10th October 2013 – a First Degree for a candidate keen to progress through his steps in Freemasonry. This will be a huge personal loss for the Lodge in terms of sentimental and historic value.

Media reports say that the fire was most likely to have been started by an electric heater housed in another part of the building which was unoccupied at the time – allowing the fire to take hold.

Honorary Members of Castle Park RAC No.520

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 11:29 | Written by George Veal

Caste Park Royal Arch Chapter No.520 are proud to have a fantastic team of Honorary Members.

Shown here are our newest Honorary Members including Bert T Waite and David Weir who can be seen beside, Walter Archibald, Andrew S McKeen, and our Provincial Grand Superintendent Alexander Foster Moonie.

You can almost always be guaranteed to see our Honorary Companions in action when you visit the Chapter as they always find it a joy to help out with the ceremonies.

Visit to Dryburgh Abbey – 2012

Wednesday, 11 July 2012 12:37 | Written by George Veal

Castle Park Royal Arch Chapter No.520 had a good turn out for the Annual Visit to Dryburgh Abbey held on 30th June 2012. Present were 1st P – Fraser Gaunt, 2nd P – Calum Stewart, IPZ – Archie McKellar, PZ – William McGillivary, 1st S – Edward Kelly and Ex. Scribe E – George Veal.

Despite the dire summer weather we are having, It turned out to be fine day with heavy showers only appearing when the Convocation was being held and all Companions comfortably seated inside.

The Degree was conferred by members of the Melrose Abbey Royal Arch Chapter No. 337 with refreshments thereafter in their Chapter premises in Lauder.

If you’ve not yet witnessed this historic event, pencil it in your diary for next year.

Deputation to Edinburgh RAC No.1 2011

Monday, 27 February 2012 18:24 | Written by George Veal

Castle Park Royal Arch Chapter No.520 were invited to bring a Deputation to Edinburgh RAC No.1 and it was a pleasure indeed to meet and greet the guys again.

On this occasion, the meeting was being held in alternative premises – those home to Lodge Cannongate Kilwinning No.2 who meet at St John Street in Edinburgh, near to Hollyrood.

It has to be said that walking into these premises is like walking into a living history museum. To be fair, old is mixed with the new but this is the location of the famous painting depicting the Inauguration of Robert Burns which dates back to 1787. It is fantastic to be able to walk into these premises and still be able to recognise it by a painting which is over 200 years old.

The deputation was headed by IPZ Archie McKellor on behalf of our First Principal Fraser Gaunt. Accompanying Archie on the evening were Calum Stewart, Edward Kelly, Chris Syme, Sean Cairns, Graeme Johnston, Mark Hussey, George Glendinning and George Veal.

Needless to say, the evening went very well and all the Companions enjoyed a lovely meal and hospitality afterwards.

Building of King Soloman’s Temple

Friday, 29 April 2011 15:01 | Written by George Veal

The special event jointly hosted by Lodge St John Corstorphine No.788 and Castle Park Royal Arch Chapter No.520 proved to be a great success.

The two main events of the evening were to confer Honorary Membership on Bro. Barry Nutley who is the Right Worshipful Immediate Past Provincial Grand Master of Midlothian, and also to receive a demonstration / Lecture on the Building of King Soloman’s Temple.

Both events were very well received by the Brethren and Companions who attended.

On the evening, our R.W.M. Bro. Calum Stewart presented a cheque to the Cleveleys Mark Lodge for the sum of £500.00 for their charity and an additional £250.00 was raised for CCLASP (Children with Cancer Leukaemia Advice Support for Parents) which is the charity of choice for the next 18 months in the Province of Midlothian.

Preston Tower RAC 499 Burns Supper 2011

Thursday, 28 April 2011 14:51 | Written by George Veal

Some Companions of Castle Park Royal Arch Chapter No.520 attended an Burns Supper at Preston Tower No.499 in Prestonpans.

On the evening we were treated to a very fine 3 course meal which included Roadside Soup and of Course, Haggis, Neeps and Tatties. We had a fantastic ‘Immortal Memory’ of Burns and Holy Willie was so good you would have believedvyou had just been transported to the 18th Century.

Oh, and I (George Veal) was there with my Guitar – to help them empty the place at closing time 🙂

Help for Heroes Charity Walk 22nd May 2010

Monday, 06 September 2010 13:55 | Written by George Veal

On 22nd May 2010 members of the Castle Park Chapter No. 520 assisted Lodge Members from both Lodge St John Corstorphine No.788 and Lodge Kirkliston Maitland No.482 to raise money for the Help for Heroes Charity.

The walk was extremely well supported by friends and family of members which all made for a very enjoyable day.

We were assisted half way by Lodge St John Inverkiething No.60 who kindly opened their doors for us and provided refreshments which was very much appreciated.

Combined with entertainment later in the evening and of course more fundraising an amount in excess of £5000.00 was raised for a very worthwhile charity.

Photos by Bro. Murrie Thomson Lodge Kirkliston Maitland No.482