An effervescent Moray minister – famed for his jokes, odd socks and love of dogs – has been immortalised in three carved wooden benches in the parishes he served for more than 19 years.
The late reverend Ranald Gauld touched the hearts of so many people that locals in Keith donated hundreds of pounds to erect the moving memorials to his quirks.
All three seats at St Rufus, Botriphnie and Grange church feature a pair of mismatched socks – a trend which Reverend Gauld adopted as a student minister in Aberdeen.
After receiving a pair of red and a pair of blue socks as gifts from his wife’s mother and father, he wore one of each during a children’s sermon – claiming they showed his support for Aberdeen and Rangers – so as not to offend either of his in-laws.
At the next sermon, the youngsters were upset that the minister had a matching pair on, so, thereafter, the odd socks stuck.
The most eye-catching of the three benches in the grounds of St Rufus Church is bookended by carvings of Mr Gauld’s cherished black and yellow Labradors, Samson and Delilah.
Mr Gauld and his wife, Reverend Kay Gauld, had a joint ministry in Keith until the 57-year-old lost his 13-year fight against cancer last February.
Mrs Gauld said: “Ranald was just a very lovely person — always full of fun and very intelligent. He was well-known and spoke to everybody in the community. He was obviously held very dearly in their hearts.
“Latterly, he was very ill, but he didn’t give up. He was still dragging himself across the pulpit until the end. He would maybe preach twice a month, and when he came back home he would have to go to bed for the rest of the day. He is greatly missed.”
Locals Sadie Ogg and June Simpson headed the fundraising effort to gather more than £1,000 for the tributes.
Ms Ogg, 41, said: “I’m not a church person at all, but he was such a community person and always good for a laugh. We raised the money for the benches because it’s something that represents him – the cross, the two dogs, odd socks and the love heart with a K and an R in it. That was all you needed to know about Ranald Gauld.”
Keith resident Esther Green said: “Kay is still very much apart of our community, and Ranald is very much in the memories of the local people. He wasn’t just your typical minister, he was a bit different and a bit quirky.
“The bench with the Labradors is quite a head-turning thing. You see quite a lot of people stopping to look at it and take photos.”