Following a congregational vote, The Reverend Margaret McArthur was unanimously elected and appointed minister by the congregation – subject to the judgement of the courts of the church – following her preaching on Sunday, August 16. She will take up her post shortly.

Speaking of her decision to take up the post, Rev McArthur said: “I felt drawn to Cardross and it just felt like the right thing to do so I just went for it and responded to the call and thankfully it’s been fulfilled.” Rev McArthur is currently based in the Glasgow presbytery area but said the move to Cardross wouldn’t be a big adjustment familiar as her family are from around the area.

Rev McArthur said: “My parents originally come from Renton and they moved up to Tillicoultry in the 50s but we have family in the Dumbarton area and the Cardross area so it will be almost like completing the circle.” She said she was excited about moving to the Cardross area with her husband Neil. She added: “I hope to be very much part of the community and get involved with the school and all the things that go on in the community in general. They have all been very welcoming.” Rev McArthur is currently the minister at Fernhill and Cathkin Parish Church in the Presbytery of Glasgow, where she has served for 13 years.

Prior to that she was Associate Minister of the linked charges at Dollar, Glendevon and Mckart in the Presbytery of Stirling for seven years.

Rev McArthur said: “The parish I’m in at the moment is urban and it’s a big parish which takes in three distinct areas but where I was in before was a mixture of small towns and villages so Cardross is a wee bit different but at the same time there are similarities.” Prior to working as a minister, she studied a degree in divinity and a postgraduate in ministerial studies at the University of Edinburgh.

In between her ministerial duties, Rev McArthur enjoys walking, playing the piano and baking.

The previous minister of Cardross Parish Church was Rev Andrew Scobie, who died at the age of 75 in October 2010, having been minister of Cardross for 45 years. In the interim period, the congregation has been led by locum minister Rev David Munro of Kilearn.

A spokeswoman from Cardross Parish Church said: “We as a kirk session and a congregation are delighted that Rev McArthur can come to us as the new minister and we were very fortunate for the past five years to have David Munro.”