As many of our people will be aware, Rev Allan MacIver retired at the end of January from the pastoral charge of Strath and shortly thereafter vacated the manse.  Since that time, work has been going on to tidy and decorate part of the property in anticipation of one of our Divinity students with his wife taking up temporary residence there. 

Towards the end of February representatives from the majority Free Church led by Rev Kerry Stewart, minister at Sleat, arrived at the building, seeking entry to the building. They withdrew at that time.

However more recently Sheriff’s Officers have served summonses on Rev John Morrison, the interim moderator, Mr Peter MacAskill elder at Strath, and on two assessor elders (Peter Matheson & Roderick MacKay).  These summonses require answers within 21 days to an interim Interdict granted yesterday in the Court of Session, which prohibits our carrying out any further work of improvement to the building.  It also prohibits our allowing our Divinity student taking up residence.  Presently we have no option but to defend this action.

We do expect Sabbath services (held in the hall attached to the Manse) to be able to continue unimpeded.

May God give wisdom and grace to those especially involved and to the local Presbyteries (ours and the majority’s) at this time.