His retirement after a half-century was marked on Sunday, June 29 with special morning presentation in a united service with friends from Rhu and Shandon.

In the evening the church hosted An Evening to Remember when a number of the congregation’s musical friends offered a farewell and note of thanks for the richness of music – sacred and secular – Walter has provided during his time at the kirk.

Guests included the familiar faces of the church’s own Helensburgh choirs, soprano Pat MacMahon, BBC’s ‘voice of music’ Jamie Macdougall, and organist John Langdon.

The Moderator of the General Assembly, the Right Rev John Chalmers, who at one time was minister at Renton where Walter hails from, was also in attendance.

Rev Chalmers said: “What a remarkable life of service Walter Blair has given to the church. Fifty years committed to bringing the music of the church to life – music which he believed was to stir every emotion and to stimulate the spiritual experience of worship.” He added: “It takes a very special musician to pick up the mood of worship and to produce the right music which reflects the theme and the moment, that was one of Walter’s great gifts and the Church of Scotland owes a huge debt of gratitude to him for his devotion and commitment over so many years.” On the night the audience took a wander down memory lane with some of the old broadcast recordings.

There was also an offering for Cancer Research UK, for whom Walter set up an annual fundraiser, and a drinks reception.

After becoming accomplished at the piano, Walter took up his first post an organist aged 13 in Dumbarton’s Riverside Parish Church before his appointment in Helensburgh a decade later.

Walter was made a BEM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2013 for his outstanding contribution to music through performance, teaching, and accompaniment.

Aside from his time at Helensburgh, where he also helped organised the Sunday at Seven series of concerts, the professional musician is involved with the St Andrews University music department as a coach, and he also works as an examiner and moderator for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

Walter told the Advertiser he thought it was time to ‘give someone else a chance’. He said: “Over the past 50 years I have made a number of friends and met a lot of good people and singers in my time in Helensburgh. but now I think it is time to give someone else a chance.” Walter added that although support in terms of membership has dropped over the past 50 years, the commitment to the church remains a central to many communities and members of the public – and music plays a key role.

He added: “Music is such an important part of the church and it plays a key role in heightening the preaching. The choir contribute to what’s happening in the service and the music can even add to it.

“I also think it can bring people to the church and attract them to the service.” Walter said standing in a church performing is not too different from playing in a concert, and performers must always do the best they can.

He said: “You must always keep working. Always perform to the best of your ability and that follows for any line of work.”