NOVEMBER 4, 2010: One of Greenock’s most high-profile religious figures was thrust into the international spotlight as a Church of Scotland ambassador.

To much local and national acclaim, Reverend Bill Hewitt was appointed Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for 2009-10 and spent a year of his life touring the world to spread the word.

He reflected on his many experiences in the role – which included spending a weekend with the Queen at Balmoral Castle.

Mr Hewitt took the stay in his stride as he dined with the monarch, left, her husband Prince Philip, and daughter Princess Anne, as well as other members of the family.

As the Royals’ chaplain, he took a service at nearby Crathie Kirk, which has been the scene of many historic moments.

It was the church where princes William and Harry were first pictured after the death of their mother, Princess Diana, in 1998.

Bill said: “It was a very relaxed weekend. I had actually been there the year before.

“I was invited to take a church service at Crathie Kirk and stay at Balmoral. “

“The Queen is wonderful at putting you at ease.

“She is very knowledgable about the Church of Scotland, as is Prince Philip. It was a tremendous honour to be there.”

This was just one of many important dates for the minister, who had served for the past 16 years at Greenock Westburn Parish Church.

He also had an audience with the then Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, at a time when Britain was teetering on the brink following the economic meltdown.

Bill said: “It is familiar territory for Gordon Brown. He knows all about the Church of Scotland.

“I found him warm and engaging.

“He is very comfortable talking about issues that are important to the church.

“We spoke about the fight against poverty and the economic problems. He listened to what I had to say and was very approachable.”

But a key highlight of his year was welcoming one of the world’s most iconic religious leaders, Desmond Tutu, to Scotland to speak at the church’s General Assembly.

The recently retired Archbishop of Cape Town helped bring down South Africa’s apartheid government, then set about rebuilding the country by heading up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The Greenock minister said: “He was just so charismatic.

“It is not what he said, it is the way he said it.

“He just fills the room with his infectious laugh. He was just wonderful.”