OLD Gourock & Ashton minister Reverend David Burt hopes to be a safe pair of hands as he leads the local Church of Scotland presbytery at a time of great change.

He has been selected as the moderator of the Clyde Presbytery this year, the third time he has held such a position in his 34 years as minister.

It comes as the presbytery faces up to a number of challenges and will be asked to unite behind a plan which looks at the future of church buildings and more link-ups between congregations.

Since arriving at the church nine years ago Rev Burt has made his mark on both it and the town as chaplain to Gourock Primary and Aileymill, a role he cherishes.

Reverend Burt, who also oversees St Ninian's Church of Scotland in Larkfield, said: "It is a privilege and an honour to take on this role. It is quite a big time for the church.

"There are a number of challenges and it is about guiding the presbytery along the road. It is a year of transition for the presbytery which has only existed since 2020.

"I have been a moderator twice before in my previous charges. I think the most important part is to conduct the meetings in a way which is bearable for everyone!"

His first act as presbytery moderator this year was to conduct the service to the mark the first official union of Skelmorlie and Wemyss Bay with Inverkip Church on January 16.

Another such change is the linkage between Hamilton Bardrainney in Port Glasgow and Wellpark Mid Kirk which has taken place.

The Church of Scotland is also in the process of selling the former Finnart St Paul's Church in the west end of Greenock which was part of the estate inherited by the Lyle Kirk.

There is also still a proposal on the table to unite Westburn, Lyle Kirk and St Margaret's, as the Church of Scotland looks to consolidate buildings and also address a shortage of ministers.

In Reverend Burt's own town there is a long-term plan to have only one minister at some stage, covering both Old Gourock & Ashton and St John's.

Originally from Paisley, the Church of Scotland has been a lifelong calling for David, who grew up in the Wallneuk Church.

The 59-year-old said: "When I was in primary seven I said I wanted to be a minister. It was part of my life. Rather unusually I went straight from school to university to study divinity for four years and then a masters for two years.

"I think over the years my style of ministry has changed. It was a lot more traditional when I first started and was ordained at 24-years-old. "

His first charge could not have been more different from his home town, in St Mary's and Old Parish Church in the border town of Hawick, where he remained for nearly nine years.

He then took on Hillhouse Parish in Hamilton, staying for 16 years. He moved to Old Gourock & Ashton with his wife Shona in 2014.

Along with other ministers, including Greenock Westburn's Reverend Karen Harbison, he has produced Church of Scotland learning programmes, including a workshop called Bubblegum and Fluff for primary pupils which they have now introduced across Inverclyde in partnership with schools.

Reverend Burt, who is a huge fan of heavy metal music, said: "Old Gourock & Ashton is a great parish. I love working in the schools and being a chaplain."