Bro. Douglas Nicol IP-RWPGMAE

The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Aberdeenshire East (2019-2024)

Bro. Dr. Douglas Nicol PM served with distinction as The Right Worshipful Grand Master of Aberdeenshire East from 2019 until 2024, when he passed the baton to the current Right Worshipful Grand Master, Bro. David James Wemyss. A dedicated Freemason, respected medical practitioner, and committed community servant, Bro. Nicol’s contributions to both Freemasonry and society at large have been profound and far-reaching.

Personal and Professional Background

Aged 71, Bro. Nicol is married to Alison, a retired Head Teacher. He has had an illustrious career as a medical practitioner, holding the titles of Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners and Member of the Faculty of Homeopaths. Currently, he continues to work part-time in General Practice and NHS Management as a Secondary Care Appraiser for NHS Grampian. His medical expertise extends to his role as Local Medical Advisor for the RNLI station in Fraserburgh. Amongst his past medical responsibilities was performing vasectomy lists in Fraserburgh Hospital.

Bro. Douglas Nicol

Craft Freemasonry

  • Initiated into Lodge Leask No. 1084 in 1994, where he held several offices before becoming Master from 1998 to 2000. He has served as Lodge Secretary since 2001.
  • Reponing Member of Lodge Felix No. 355 in 1998, serving in various offices before becoming Master from 2010 to 2011. Currently active as Lodge Chaplain.
  • Founding Member of Lodge St. Columban No. 1858 in 2024, currently serving as Depute Master.
  • Affiliate Member of Lodge Sir Robert Moray No. 1641, Scotland’s Premier Research Lodge, and Past Depute Master (2015-2016).
  • Affiliate Member of Lodge Dundonnie No. 1087, currently serving as Chaplain.
  • Honorary Member of multiple lodges both domestically and overseas, including Montefiore No. 753 and Sonheuwel No. 1707 in Eastern Cape.
  • Regular visitor to Lodges across Scotland, arranging visits for Lodge Montefiore of Glasgow and the District Grand Lodge of Newfoundland to Lodges in Aberdeenshire.
  • One of only four Honorary Members of the Widows Sons, in recognition of his role in founding Lodge St. Columban.

Provincial Office

  • Elected to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Aberdeenshire East in 2001.
  • Served as Provincial Grand Secretary under PPGM Billy Grant (2011-2014).
  • Held the office of Depute Provincial Grand Master under PPGM Ronnie Simpson (2014-2019).
  • Served as Provincial Grand Master of Aberdeenshire East (2019-2024), demonstrating strong commitment to Masonic ideals and charitable causes. His tenure was marked by significant initiatives, including supplying hand sanitizers to elderly care homes during COVID-19 and organizing the “Walk the Lodges” Sponsored Walk, which raised approximately £12,000 for local food banks and school breakfast clubs.
  • Member of the Provincial Grand Lodges of Aberdeenshire West and Edinburgh.
  • Honorary Depute District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Grand Lodge of Scotland

  • Grand Steward from 2006 until 2019, resigning to assume the office of PGM Aberdeenshire East. He also founded the Grand Lodge First Aid Team for Grand Lodge meetings.
  • Served on the Grand Committee, elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2011, 2014, 2017, and 2020, consistently advocating for the Province.
  • Member of the Benevolence Committee of Grand Lodge of Scotland since 2008, playing a key role in the allocation of charitable funds and Masonic homes, with involvement in Prostate Scotland projects.
  • Proxy District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of Newfoundland and Labrador (2020-present). He attended Installations in 2015 and 2020 and participated in the 150th Anniversary Celebration of the District in May 2018. He is set to travel to Newfoundland for the installation of the new DGM.
  • Former Proxy District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of Eastern Cape of Good Hope, South Africa (2017-2020), attending Installations of DGMs in both the Eastern and Western Capes in February 2018.
  • Elected onto the new Governance and Strategy Board of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in October 2024.
  • Member of the Scottish Masonic History & Heritage Group, contributing to projects such as the Oral History Project and Masonic War Memorials.

Other Orders

Bro. Nicol is actively involved in various Masonic Orders, having held past leadership positions such as:

  • Past PZ of St. Andrew 146 Royal Arch Chapter.
  • Past Preceptor of Keith.
  • Past Most Wise Sovereign of Mormond Conclave of Secret Monitor.
  • Member of several other Orders, including the 18th and 30th degrees.

Personal Interests and Community Engagement

Beyond Freemasonry, Bro. Nicol and his wife Alison share a passion for traveling, history, reading, and spending time with their dogs. They are both Church Elders in the Church of Scotland. Additionally, Bro. Nicol is involved with “Shirley’s Space,” a mental health support charity based in Crimond, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the well-being of his community.

Bro. Dr. Douglas Nicol PM’s tenure as The Right Worshipful Grand Master of Aberdeenshire East was defined by leadership, dedication, and benevolence, leaving a lasting impact on the Province and Scottish Freemasonry as a whole.