Iain Maciver Writes » Harris

Updated – Reverend Tom Sinclair dies in car accident

Iain — Tue, 20 May 2014 09:30:14 +0000

Update: Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident involving Rev Sinclair. Road Policing Sergeant Neil Inglis, who is in charge of the investigation, said: “This was a tragic incident where a man has sadly lost his life and I am appealing for any witnesses who were on Waverley Bridge around 5pm.”

The clerk of the Lewis presbytery of the Church of Scotland has died after a car accident in Edinburgh on Monday.

Reverend Tom Sinclair, the former longtime minister of Martin’s Memorial church in Stornoway, a commissioner at the General Assembly this week, was on Waverley Bridge walking across the entrance road to Waverley station, when he was in collision with a car.

The incident involving Mr Sinclair, who lived in Tarbert on Harris, happened when the Assembly finished for the day just after 5pm.

Originally from Glasgow, he was Clerk to the Presbytery of Lewis for more than 30 years. He is survived by his wife Pam and a son Jonathan, 43 who lives in Edinburgh.

Mr Sinclair entered the ministry after studies at Trinity College Glasgow. He completed his probation in Aberdeen Holburn Central with the legendary Dr Knox.

His first parish was Scourie in Sutherland – (now known as Eddrachillis). He later moved to Martin’s Memorial in the 1970s where he served for almost 30 years. After retirement he moved to Tarbert.

Moderator The Rt Rev John Chalmers remembered Tom and his family in prayers at the start of the Assembly today (Tue) and assured the family that the prayers of the whole Church would continue to be with them.

A church statement said: “The news of Tom’s death in such tragic circumstances came as a terrible shock to the General Assembly. Tom Sinclair loved the Church of Scotland and loved General Assembly, we mourn his loss and we commend his wife and family to the care of the community of faith and to the grace God.

“Tom’s death is a painful tragedy for his wife and family and will come as real blow to the Presbytery of Lewis which he was still serving as Presbytery Clerk.”

MV Hebrides running late

Iain — Sat, 03 May 2014 12:00:14 +0000

Due to the earlier incident at Tarbert, MV Hebrides did not depart until 12:24 and is due in Uig at 14:04

Incident in Tarbert

Iain — Sat, 03 May 2014 10:19:25 +0000

A police incident is ongoing in the Tarbert pier area on Harris. Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed the incoming ferry from Uig – due in at 11.20am – has been halted off Scalpay until further notice. Emergency services are at the scene, including Leverburgh lifeboat.

Historical view of the area

Moderator-Designate Angus Morrison withdraws due to ill health

Iain — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:32:29 +0000

Statement – 18 March 2014

The Church of Scotland expressed great regret that the Rev Dr Angus Morrison has health issues and, following medical advice, has had to withdraw from the position of Moderator-Designate for the 2014 General Assembly.

He is undergoing treatment and it is hoped that over the remainder of this year his health will be fully restored. In the meantime his well-being depends on having time and space to fully recover.

Rev Dr Morrison, Minister of Orwell and Portmoak Church in the Presbytery of Perth, said: “This has been a very painful decision but deep down I feel it is the right one. I am undergoing medical treatment and anticipate an operation ahead. The demanding role of Moderator requires someone to be operating on all cylinders. I do not have the necessary reserves just now.

“It is with huge regret and reluctance that I make this decision. My heartfelt prayers will be with all those on whom unexpected burdens now fall. May God’s guidance, strength and peace be given to each one.”

The Rev John Chalmers, Principal Clerk for the Church of Scotland, said: “We ask the whole Church to remember Angus and his family in their prayers and we hope that his health is fully restored in due course. I know that the General Assembly will be enormously sympathetic to Angus’s position and will no doubt want him to fulfil the role of Moderator at some time in the future when he has made a full recovery.”

The Committee to Nominate the Moderator will be recalled in order to bring forward the name of another nominee. There is no precedent in living memory for a Moderator-Designate standing down. The Committee, which is drawn from across the Presbyteries of the Church of Scotland, has wide ranging powers to act in the event of such unforeseen circumstances. The name of the new Moderator-Designate is likely to be announced on Wednesday 2nd April.

Rev Dr Morrison was born in Glencoe in 1953. As his father worked for the Northern Lighthouse Service, the young Angus went to school in Oban, Stromness and Edinburgh before progressing to higher education at the University of Glasgow. He undertook further studies at Pisa University and London University before a PhD at Edinburgh University (New College).

Rev Dr Morrison’s church career began when he was ordained in the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland in 1979, but after ministries in Oban and Edinburgh, he transferred into the Church of Scotland, became the minister of St Columba’s Old Parish Church in Stornoway and is now Minister at Orwell and Portmoak Parish Church.

Rev Dr Morrison, who has a degree in Classics and speaks Italian and Gaelic, is married to Marion who is a primary school teacher in Fife. The couple have four children between the ages of 16 and 27.