The Moderator of the Church of Scotland has praised local church-goers in Dumbarton for their efforts in engaging with the local community while on a seven-day tour of the area.

The Rt Rev. Russell Barr, who leads the Church of Scotland, spent a week around Presbytery of Dumbarton meeting with community groups and organisations, as well as engaging local and national politicians, prisoners, schools and church activists.

During the visit - which can take place every ten years, he toured a number of sites and attractions across Dumbarton and the Vale, including Dumbarton FC, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and the Maid of the Loch.

The Moderator also paid tribute to some of the charities and voluntary groups in the area, including the Tullochan Trust, and spent at Robin House in Balloch, the hospice that hosts CHAS and its work with children with life-shortening conditions.

The chaplain at Robin House, Amanda Reid, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Moderator to Robin House so he could see and hear first-hand about the vital services we provide to over 400 children across Scotland with life-shortening conditions and their families. During the visit he led our reflection time, had a tour of the hospice, met with a family supported by CHAS and took part in some arts and crafts activities with the children which was great fun.

"Visits like this are so important in helping us raise awareness of our work so we’d like to say a big thank you to the Moderator for taking the time to learn more about what we do.”

Dr Barr also used the time in the community to attend several church services and holding a number of joint services across the area, including services at the Balloch and Alexandria, and Dumbarton Riverside churches.

He said: “It gave us a good insight into the life of the Church and its place in the life of local communities. We enjoyed joint services and the chance to meet so many people from different congregations."

At the end of the visit, Dr Barr commented on the main highlights that he had taken from his time in Dumbarton and the Vale:

"Our week was summed up by one person who said she felt really proud to be part of the Presbytery of Dumbarton – and so she should – and so should everyone else - because people are outward looking, connecting with their community and sharing the love and grace of God in a whole variety of helpful and exciting ways."