ED HIM TO JOIN UP AND WHY HE’S HANGING UP HIS HELMET
skin and lugging gearboxes about.” Angus also has an eye on a passion project – rebuilding the fallen Rowan Park house after he purchased the derelict site 20 years ago.
He said: “It remains to this day a demolished ruin but, one day, I hope to rebuild her from the dust.”
Being so involved on Arran has meant Angus being required not only as a firefighter but as a minister, serving through sermons, weddings and funerals.
This included the burial of Police Scotland constable Tony Collins – one of 10 people who lost their lives in Novembe r 2013 when a force hel icopter crashed i nto the roof of the Clutha Vau lt s pub in Glasgow.
Angus said: “That was difficult, yes. Tony’s mum and dad are both members of my congregation and, while I didn’t know him so well personally, I’ve known his wife Lucy since she was young. It was very tragic.
“I was coming back from my son’s graduation in Aberdeen the night the news came through.
“I remember hearing the news about the helicopter and I don’t know what it was, call it instinct, but I just knew there would be someone from Arran involved.
“I came off the boat the next morning and went to see his mum and dad straight away.”
Earlier this year, Angus also led the funeral of his long- standing crew manager Alan Johnston, who died of cancer, aged just 53.
He said: “Alan wasn’t just good, he was the very best. The crew have been through the mill with that. I was privileged to be able to take Alan’s funeral and be there for everyone.
“It’s a different way of serving but something that has been very much part of my duties. “Every funeral is important, of course, especially being a native of the island.” But Angus’s responsibilities haven’t always been tinged by tragedy.
He added: “The first wedding I conducted after I was ordained was for a col league, f iref ighter Lee Popplewell and his wife Kirsty.
“Their son Jack was the first baby I baptised, and I’ve baptised all five of their children.
“In fact, on Christmas Eve five years ago, I baptised their triplets, along with two children of our crew manager.
“The joke that night was I might need a length of hose to do the job lot of all five at the same time.”
After taking the cloth in 2006, Angus moved across the island to Brodick.
He said: “I’m not so sure some of the younger firefighters, who didn’t know me so well, thought it was such a great idea having the minister in the crew.
“But very soon I think they became aware I’m maybe not the stereotypical image of the killjoy parson.” James Scott, Scottish Fire and Rescue local senior officer for East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire, praised Angus’s career.
He said: “Angus’s commitment and contribution to the safety of the community of Arran is immeasurable.
“The number of people who have benefited from Angus’s support, both professionally in his role as a firefighter and spiritually in his role as a minister, is outstanding.
“He has been a credit to himself, his community and the whole service.”
Chief officer Alasdair Hay added: “Retained firefighters like Angus show that anyone can make a difference.
“Angus and nearly 7000 others like him are living proof that heroes take many forms and that fills me with greatest pride. I would encourage others to broaden their horizons, learn new skills and serve at the very heart of their community by becoming
a retained firefighter.”