A prominent island minister died last night after being hit by a car as he left the General Assembly in Edinburgh.
The Rev Tom Sinclair, who was a commissioner at the General Assembly and clerk to the Presbytery of Lewis, was on Waverley Bridge walking across the entrance road to Waverley station when he was struck by the vehicle soon after the assembly finished for the day 5pm.
The Moderator, the Rt Rev John Chalmers, remembered the 76-year-old and his family in prayers at the start of the Assembly this morning.
And he assured the family that the prayers of the whole Church would continue to be with them.
He said: “The news of Tom’s death in such tragic circumstances came as a terrible shock to the General Assembly.
“Tom Sinclair loved the Church of Scotland and loved General Assembly, we mourn his loss and we commend his wife and family to the care of the community of faith and to the grace God.
“Tom’s death is a painful tragedy for his wife and family and will come as a real blow to the Presbytery of Lewis, which he was still serving as Presbytery Clerk.”
Mr Sinclair, originally from Glasgow, was Clerk to the Presbytery of Lewis for over 30 years.
He is survived by his wife Pam and a son Jonathan, 43, who lives in Edinburgh.
Mr Sinclair entered the ministry young after studies at Trinity College Glasgow.
He completed his probation in Aberdeen Holburn Central with the legendary Dr Knox.
His first parish was Scourie in Sutherland – now known as Eddrachillis. He later moved to Martin’s Memorial, Stornoway in the 1970s where he served for almost 30 years.
Police have confirmed that Mr Sinclair died at the scene of the accident.
Road Policing Sergeant Neil Inglis, who is in charge of the investigation, said: “This was a tragic incident where a man has sadly lost his life.
“I am appealing for any witnesses who were on Waverley Bridge around 5pm on Monday to contact Police Scotland on 101 or through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”