A Church of Scotland congregation on Skye has appointed a new minister who served in Afghanistan with the Royal Marines.
The Rev Rory MacLeod, who was as a forces chaplain for more than six years, has been called to lead members of Strath and Sleat on the south of the island.
His appointment means the Kirk now has are two ordained Kirk ministers on Skye – the other being the Rev Sandor Fazakas of Portree Parish Church.
One of the biggest challenges facing the Church of Scotland is attracting new preachers and it is at risk of being short of 200 ministers by 2024.
Mr MacLeod, who previously led Holy Trinity Church in St Andrews, hopes to inspire parishes to create self-sustaining worship models to stimulate ministry.
The 50-year-old has written a doctoral thesis on how to empower congregations to ‘fly solo’ and worship God themselves.
Mr MacLeod said he has been “hugely impressed” with the degree of work already going on in Skye.
“There are preaching rotas, home groups, bible study groups – there are projects that are already flourishing,” he added.
“The Church is facing a shortage of ministers.
“We need to look at other ways of worship and we are.”
Mr MacLeod was inducted into his new charge on Friday.