Former Kirk Moderator dies aged 86

The former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Very Rev Dr James Leslie Weatherhead, has died at the age of 86.

Dr Weatherhead died early on Saturday morning a few hours before the 2017 General Assembly was due to begin.

Born in Dundee in 1931, he was educated at the city’s High School before proceeding to Edinburgh University.

There he graduated in arts and law and served as senior president of the Students’ Representative Council.

National service in the Roy- 0 The Very Rev Dr James Leslie Weatherhead al Navy followed, including active service on HMS Eagle during the Suez crisis of 1956.

Thereafter he returned to Edinburgh University to study divinity at New College during which time he was elect- ed president of the Students’ Union.

James Weatherhead’s ministry began in 1960 when he became Assistant Minister at the Auld Kirk of Ayr.

In 1962, he was inducted to Trinity Church, Rothesay, where he served for seven years before moving to Montrose Old Parish Church.

There he remained until his appointment as Principal Clerk in 1985.

James Weatherhead, Kirk Moderator in 1993, is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dr Anne Weatherhead, their sons David and Andrew, his three grandchildren, brother John and sister Janette.