ONE county minister will succeed another as Moderator of Lothian Presbytery.

The Rev David Scott, minister of the Parish of Traprain, takes over from the Rev Neil Dougall, minister of North Berwick’s St Andrew Blackadder Church, following a meeting in the town this evening.

Presbytery brings together ministers and representatives of the Church of Scotland’s parishes across East and Midlothian.

Mr Scott, who was previously the convener of the presbytery’s business committee, told the Courier: “It is an honour to be elected moderator of Presbytery.

“It doesn’t happen to everyone.

“But this is tempered by the understanding that, in the Kirk, leadership is corporate and subsidiary to Christ’s.

“He is the King and Head of our Church.’

Mr Scott, who lives in East Linton, has been minister of Traprain, which includes the churches of Prestonkirk, Stenton and Whittingehame, for the last seven years and is a married father of four.

Meanwhile, Mr Dougall added that he had enjoyed his 12 months in the role.

He said: “Our presbytery gathers people from a diverse mix of congregations, from Penicuik to Dunbar and debate can be quite lively.”

This evening’s meeting of Lothian Presbytery at St Andrew Blackadder Church begins with a communion service at 7pm to which all are welcome.

Meanwhile, Mr Neil Watson is due to be ordained and inducted as the new minister at Belhaven Parish Church next Thursday at 7pm.

Mr Watson will follow in the footsteps of the Rev Laurence Twaddle, who had been minister at the county church, which is linked with Spott, for almost 40 years.

Mr Twaddle, along with wife Lindy, who was previously headteacher at Macmerry Primary School, moved to Switzerland earlier this year where Mr Twaddle took up the role of minister for the Church of Scotland in Geneva.

Mr Watson’s first service is due to take place at 11.30am on Sunday, October 8.