The Free Church of Scotland is a Presbyterian church. This means that it is governed by presbyters (elders). In each congregation there are usually a teaching elder (the minister) and several ruling elders (laymen), and they are all of equal status. The minister and ruling elders are elected by the congregation and together make up the Kirk Session. In addition, there are deacons who manage the temporal affairs of the church. These are also elected by the congregation and are known collectively as the Deacons' Court. Unlike in the political arena, elders and deacons do not need to stand for re-election every few years.

In Smithton-Culloden Free Church we have at present 15 elders and 10 deacons.



Charlie Anderson

Charlie is our very able treasurer and has also assumed many other roles in the church over the years. In his spare time, he loves to get out into the hills or off for a run on his bike.

Calum Graham

Calum is an active participant in congregational life, helping with precenting, small groups and the lunch club. He enjoys travelling and travellers' tales.

Scott Lauder

Scott chairs meetings of the Deacons' Court. He is an ardent supporter of Ross County Football Club and a keen amateur golfer.

Stephen Loch

As well as being our Child Protection Co-ordinator, Stephen is involved in pastoral care. He enjoys reading and most kinds of music and has a keen sense of humour!

James MacArthur

James co-ordinates our video and audio recordings. He thought he'd get all his outstanding DIY projects completed when he retired, but seems to have less spare time than ever.

Donnie Maclean

Donnie chairs our Missions Committee and does some preaching and teaching in Smithton and beyond. His leisure interests include golf, cycling and foreign travel with his family.

George Maclean

George is Session Clerk and a founding member of our church. He is also very involved with the Inverness YMCA and has many preaching engagements. He is a keen gardener and enjoys fishing.

Gillies Maclennan

Although Gillies does not enjoy the best of health, he continues to play an active part in the congregation through his prayers and hospitality and his involvement in the men's Bible study.

Donald Iain Macleod

Donald keeps the other elders alert with his thought-provoking papers and has often been active in the national committees of the Free Church. He enjoys quality literature and classical music.

Donnie Peter Macleod

Donnie Peter co-ordinates the pastoral visitation team and precents at services in both Smithton and Nairn. He enjoys sea fishing and hillwalking when he is able to go west.

Colin Macpherson

Colin is Chair of the Free Church International Missions Board and has many speaking engagements. He likes to relax with his fiddle when he can and dabbles more than a little in photography.

David Meredith

David is the teaching elder in the congregation. He also accepts many preaching opportunities beyond our church. Among his other interests are politics, motorbikes and drinking Starbucks coffee.

David Sutherland

David is a Smithton original. With a fine tenor voice, he is a regular precentor in our services and is often invited to preach in neighbouring congregations.

Iain Wilson

Iain's health prevents him from being as active as he once was but he maintains a keen and prayerful interest in all that is going on and is a faithful participant in the men's Bible study.


A profile of Ian MacGillivray will follow shortly.



Jonathan Appleby

James Chalmers

Laurie Chancellor (clerk to deacons' court)

John Lee

Angus Mackay

Iain Mackay

Sammy Macleod

Donald MacRitchie

David Roberts

Vince Tough