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A welcome from
Clèir Eilean ì: Highlands and Hebrides
Welcome to Clèir Eilean Ì – the Church of Scotland in the Highlands and Hebrides. We’re a Presbytery of The Church of Scotland, and we represent over 100 Christian congregations across more than 40% of Scotland’s landmass. Clèir Eilean Ì was born on 1st January 2024, out of the coming together of nine previous Presbyteries, from the Mull of Kintyre to John O’Groats, and from the Western Isles to West Moray. Island churches, rural churches, town and city churches, all united in mission and ministry. A new way of being church; and a major part of the restructuring of the national Kirk across Scotland. A Transition Team, with representatives from all nine of the uniting Presbyteries working together, led to our General Assembly approving this new expression of Church. The Presbytery itself is made up of ministers and elders from across the area staying true to their ordination vow to “…seek the unity and peace of this Church… and to take your due part in the administration of its affairs.”
Clèir Eilean Ì marks a real step of faith – one we’re taking together, after four years of prayerful planning. By doing things in ways that have never been done before, we will open up new possibilities, new ways of ministering and mission. We’re glad you’re interested!
What's in a name?
Clèir Eilean Ì literally translates as “The Presbytery of the Island of Iona.” The whole area we represent owes much of its Christian heritage to those early missionaries who flowed from Columba’s Iona. In some areas, nearly all of it; in others, not so much, but still of real weight. And there is no area untouched by it. Columba reached Iona after landing in Kintyre in 563AD. Iona became the centre of Celtic Christianity, and its missionaries reached out across Scotland from the Western Isles as far as Moray and Wick, and further into England, and even continental Europe. That’s our heritage – but it’s also our call.
In 21st century Scotland, our methods may be worlds away from the coracles and manuscripts of Iona, but our hearts, minds and souls are still Christ’s; our mission call is the same, gaining strength from uniting the languages, cultures and heritage of the communities we serve with the call to live the message and the life of Christ :
“Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of
life, marking them by baptism… I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the
end of the age.”
(Matt 28:19-20, The Message)
Rev Janet MacKellar, Presbytery Moderator, 2025/26
I was born in Dunoon on the Cowal Peninsula and brought up in the small village of Strone. I was brought up in the Church, my father, a Master Mariner was Session Clerk.
At 10 years of age, when the parish minister asked the class what we wanted to be when we grew up, I replied ‘a Minister’, to which he laughed saying that there were no woman ministers, and I thought my plan was over. However, God had other ideas, and over time, I was ordained as an Elder at 25, was set apart as a Reader, worked for the Board of Parish Education, and was ordained as a minister of Word and Sacrament (OLM) in 2019. I became Moderator of Argyll Presbytery in 2022.
In my day job, I am CEO of a local charity ‘HELP’, who provide support for young people who are either homeless, in threat of homelessness or coming out of care, I am a fellow of the Institute of Management, and after 25 years, I will retire in October 2025.
I am a proud Mum, Step Mum, and Granny and I was privileged to be wife and soul mate to Gordon.
I am delighted to be Moderator of Cleir Eilean I, the Church of Scotland, in the Highlands and Hebrides. What a privilege to serve God in such a wonderful place and with such wonderful people. I look forward to this year ahead and wish you all God's blessing as we travel together.
Meet the Team
Amanda Anderson
Presbytery Support Officer
I hope to inspire an enthusiastic vision that will spread the Good News …
Diary Date
The next main gathering of Presbytery will be Wednesday 10th of September 2025 for our 2nd Annual Conference- more details to follow. Every full meeting of Clèir Eilean Ì is hybrid, allowing every member to take part – a series of “Hubs” across the country have already been established, and more are expected to come together throughout this first year.
Two of our four scheduled meetings each year take place on Tuesday evenings; this is the first of our Saturday meetings. The overall aim is to allow as many members as possible to get involved, at times less likely to interfere with work and other commitments.
This meeting is expected to run through to mid-afternoon, but with a break for lunch and – where people have gathered together in hubs – for fellowship. Zoom links will go out to every member in good time ahead of the meeting, together with all relevant reports and documents. We look forward to welcoming you all, as we continue to move forward in this new way together.