A Highland-born minister has resumed the role of Moderator Designate of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland after recovering from a period of ill health.
Rev Angus Morrison – who was born in Glencoe and educated in Oban and Stromness – was forced to withdraw from the role last March.
At that time, he was replaced by Rt Rev John Chalmers, who was then Principal Clerk of Scotland’s national church.
But Mr Morrison has since recovered and has been able to resume the prestigious position.
He said: “It is a great honour to have been nominated as Moderator Designate for 2015.
“I am thankful that a very good recovery, following surgery, has made it possible for me to accept the nomination.”
He added that he and his wife, Marion, were deeply appreciative of the support and prayers of so many across the Church while he was unwell.
Mr Morrison, 61, who studied at Glasgow University, is a former minister of St Columba’s Old Parish Church in Stornoway.
A past moderator of the presbytery of Lewis, he is currently the leader of Orwell and Portmoak Parish Church in Kinross-shire.
Mr Morrison, who began his career in 1979 as a Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland minister, has also served as chaplain to the Queen and chaplain to the Lord Mackay of Clashfern when he served as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly.
The minister described the current time as “difficult days for our Church”.
And he said: “My main hope and prayer for the year ahead is that it may be possible to encourage a fresh focus on the centralities of our faith and calling, and that we may find new ways to bring encouragement and support to one another.”
Mr Morrison and his wife have four children between the ages of 16 and 29.