Church of Scotland Moderator visits Kinloss' Royal Engineers
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THE Moderator of the General Assembly Church of Scotland has described meeting sappers at Kinloss Barracks as a "huge privilege".
The Right Reverend Colin Sinclair was in Moray last week to learn more about the work of personnel in 39 Engineer Regiment.
The Moderator spends a week with the Army each year because the Church of Scotland has military chaplains who serve in the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.
They provide spiritual support, pastoral care and moral guidance to personnel and their families irrespective of religion or belief.
Chaplains wear uniforms and accompany their troops wherever they go but they do not bear arms.
Mr Sinclair said: "My wife Ruth and I were given a full briefing on the work of 39 Engineers and given a tour round the barracks to see various aspects of what they do.
"We were impressed at the range of specialist skills the soldiers were trained in and the amount and range of work they undertake both in the UK and around the world."
Mr Sinclair said he enjoyed speaking with service personnel at all levels.
"In particular we appreciated the joined-up thinking between unit welfare, the chaplains and the chain of command and the informed awareness of mental health issues," he added.
"It has been a huge privilege to be allowed into this part of their world and I appreciate in a new way what they do for Queen and Country and the importance they put on being part of the local community."
Mr Sinclair was accompanied by Rev Dr Marjory MacLean, convener to Her Majesty's Forces Committee, and Rev Duncan MacPherson, Senior Chaplain Scotland.
Reverend Shuna Dicks, the minster at Cults who was previously at Aberlour and Craigellachie, was also in attendance along with the Reverend Keith Blackwood, of Mannofield in Aberdeen.
Both serve as padres in the 2nd Battalion The Highlanders Army Cadet Force which is made up of youngsters from across the north-east.
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