THE LIFE OF COLIN
BY KEITH McLEOD A MINISTER who appeared in Monty Python and the Holy Grail is to lead the Church of Scotland next year.
Colin Sinclair was an extra in the 1975 film starring John Cleese, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin.
Now he has his hands on the Kirk’s own holy grail – after being named yesterday as the next Moderator of the Church of Scotland’s general assembly.
The dad of four from Glasgow will succeed Rt Rev Susan Brown in May.
Colin had his brush with film immortality when he was a Stirling University student.
He spent the day running up and down a hill at Doune Castle in Perthshire with hundreds of other extras dressed as soldiers – only to be “attacked” by police in the film’s final scene.
Colin said his parents were “occasional churghgoers” and only got involved himself when
COLIN SINCLAIR ON BEING NAMED MODERATOR DESIGNATE
he darted into a room while trying to avoid a prefect at school and found himself in a meeting of the Scripture Union.
His faith developed through university and later by working at Scripture Union, who sent him as a missionary to Zambia.
His family were away the night before he left. His mum left a note that said: “Switch the gas off. Leave the keys on the table. See you in two years.”
Colin, minister at Palmerston Place Church in Edinburgh, said: “I am honoured to be selected for this opportunity to represent the Church of Scotland nationally and internationally.”