Medic turned minister on the drastic career change that proved so fulfilling

A former doctor turned minister who grew up in Cumbernauld and Milngavie has made a video about his new life in Orkney.

David McNeish who grew up in Cumbernauld before moving to Milngavie as a teenager.

His father, GP Gordon McNeish, worked in Cumbernauld for 25 years and David followed his dad into medicine. However he has just celebrated his first year as a Church of Scotland minister in Orkney, after his training at Liberton Kirk in Edinburgh.

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The 40-year-old married father of three is based at Milestone Community Church in Dounby and describes his new role as the “most fulfilling” he has ever had.

And he is now one of the key figures in the kirk’s Tomorrow’s Calling initiative which aims to attract men and women to follow in his footsteps.

He features in a video, filmed against the dramatic backdrop of the Orcadian landscape which now be seen on YouTube.

David said that the greatest challenges have been getting used to the remoteness of island life and the weather which he describes as “a cantankerous member of the congregation.”

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He added: “I never thought I would end up a minister. It’s a fact that makes me chuckle. I had an idea in my head about what a minister would be and it wasn’t me.

“I then thought, if it’s not for me, it’s not for anybody. The variety and privilege of minister as well as the chance to make a difference in people’s lives has to be seen to be believed.

“It is a wonderful fit. The mixture of surprise and delight continues and I’d encourage anyone with a love of God and people to consider if it might be for them as well.”