A HELENSBURGH 'songs of praise' service rounded off a week long visit to the area by a leading churchman.

The Rt Rev Dr Russell Barr, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland attended many locations in Helensburgh during his tour around the Presbytery of Dumbarton, including visiting congregations, meeting with council chiefs at the Helensburgh Civic Centre, visiting Faslane, Faslane Peace Camp and Helensburgh Parish Church.

Dr Barr was joined at the Civic Centre by local clergy who heard about the many opportunities offered by Argyll and Bute, including tourism, aqua marine science and space rocket development.

Chief Executive Cleland Sneddon and Provost Len Scoullar also explained how the council is working hard to offset the effects of depopulation by creating well paid and highly skilled jobs.

Dr Barr, who was accompanied by his wife, Margaret, presented the Provost with an engraved quaich to mark the visit.

Helensburgh Parish Church also hosted Dr Barr and informed him about the Starter Pack project, the local foodbank and the Child Contact Centre.

His visit concluded with a Presbytery-wide Songs of Praise service at which he spoke about how impressed he was at the work being done.

Also on the visit Dr Barr visited the United Service in Clydebank, Syrian Refugees at Linnvale Primary, Robin House at Balloch, St Margaret's Hospice, Low Moss Prison and a Dumbarton v Morton football match.

Dr Barr thanked those who organised his visit for a full and varied programme. He said: “It gave us a good insight into the life of the Church and its place in the life of local communities.

"We enjoyed joint services and the chance to meet so many people from different congregations. We also enjoyed our contact with the schools and the opportunity to visit local hospices and Lowmoss Prison to spend time with people who are offering care and support to folk in very challenging circumstances.”