Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire East
SPGM Bro. Gavin Burt raises £4,500 in sponsored hill climb
It was with a great sense of pride that Substitute Provincial Grand Master, Bro. Gavin Burt, unfurled the Provincial Standard on the summit of Ben Lomond this summer.
The 3,196 ft hill climb – which raised a total of £4.500 in aid of the PGL’s 200th Anniversary in 2026 – took place on Saturday, 30 July, despite some potential setbacks.
These included the fact that Bro. Gavin, who had been in poor health earlier in the year was given the all-clear by the hospital just two days prior to the climb!
There was also the challenge of heavy rain when Bro. Gavin and his companions on the day, Bro. Drew Calderwood PM, RWM of The Pollokshaws Royal Arch Lodge No.153 and Bro. Michael Meldrum PM, PGL Senior Warden, set off at 7 am.
Even when they reached the summit it was shrouded in mist with visibility down to about 50 ft.
However, Bro Gavin said: “I was determined to reach the top and be photographed with the PGL Standard as the support from the Lodges in the Province and individuals, both masons and non-masons was extraordinary and, on behalf of PGL, I thank everyone who donated.”