Rev Duncan Campbell (1930-40)
Duncan Campbell was born in Benderloch and was converted in 1913. Having trained at the Faith Mission College he worked for the Mission in Ireland and the Scottish Highlands before accepting a call to the United Free Church in Ardvasar, Skye, serving as an Ordained Missionary. When that church joined the Church of Scotland in 1929, Mr Campbell left and accepted the call from Balintore, being inducted on January 30th 1930. His ministry here was very fruitful, especially among the young people. He was a fiery preacher in both English and Gaelic, often banging on the pulpit to make his point, but he inspired his people to holy living. He guided and led the congregation through the very trying years and by 1940 the congregation was strong and well established.
He continued his ministry in Falkirk United Free Church and was ordained and inducted to full ministerial status on February 10th 1943. Leaving Falkirk in 1949 Mr Campbell engaged in his passion for evangelism and conducted many missions in many countries, the most notable being the revival on the Island of Lewis. From 1958 to 1966 Mr Campbell was Principal of the Faith Mission College in Edinburgh after which he went as lecturer to Duncan Cunningham's School for Evangelism in Lausanne. He collapsed and died in Lausanne in 1971.
Rev George Eakins (1940-47)
Before his ordination as a Missionary in the United Free Church in 1930, George William Eakins served various UF congregations, including those in Edinburgh, Cambusnethan, Maxwelltown, and Aberlour. In 1931, he moved to Boddam, followed by Aberdeen: Central (1935–1938) and Glasgow: Central (1938–1939). He was inducted to Balintore on 1 June 1940 and was ordained as a Minister in 1945. Described as "a tall, older man, always in clerical garb with a walking stick," Rev. Eakins was a devoted visitor throughout the villages. During the war, he took on the solemn responsibility of informing families of the loss of loved ones. In a meaningful gesture, the church held a special service of thanksgiving on VE Day, Tuesday, 8 May 1945. Throughout his ministry, the church offered a wide range of activities for children and young people.
Mrs. Eakins was well-liked for her kindness and caring nature, often providing practical help to women who were ill. She introduced the "Sunshine Bags" to every household, encouraging people to place a copper coin in the bag each sunny day as a token of thanks to God and to support the church financially. Upon Rev. Eakins' retirement in 1947, they moved to Kemnay, where they joined Torry UF. He continued to serve as clerk to the Presbytery of Aberdeen and the North until 1949. Mrs. Eakins passed away in 1961, followed by Rev. Eakins in 1962.
Rev Archie Cowie (1948-52)
Rev Archibald Cowie applied to the United Free Church in 1938 for recognition as a student in training for the ministry and was asked to serve an initial 6 months on Tiree. Prior to that, he had been a member at Aberdeen Central (now Northfield) UF, studied at Faith Mission College in Edinburgh and worked as a Pilgrim for seven years. As a student at Edinburgh University he served at Cowdenbeath (1939-42), and while completing his course at the Scottish Congregational and United Free Church Joint College he was appointed Student Pastor at Denny and Dunnipace. On June 13th 1945 he was licensed and was ordained in 1946 at Baltasound, Shetland. That same year he began his ministry at Edinburgh: Central.
In 1948 (23rd September) he was inducted to Balintore UF. Rev Cowie left Balintore in 1952 for Millerston and thereafter he ministered at Patna and Carnoustie before retiring in 1976. He died in 1996.
Rev lain Matheson (1953-59)
Rev. Iain Matheson began his ministry as a Student Missionary at Gordon in 1946. In 1949, he was ordained as a Missionary in Talisker, Skye, where he led both Sunday services in Gaelic. Shortly after, he also took on responsibilities for the church in Torrin. From there, he moved to Balintore, where he was inducted on February 26, 1953. He began officiating weddings almost immediately, including those of Dickson and Helen Ross (February 27), John and Helen Fisher Ross (March), and Andrew and Elma Allan (May 8). His ministry in Balintore proved to be very fruitful.
Rev. Matheson maintained a demanding Sunday schedule with two services, a Sunday School, and a Bible Class at the Manse at 8 p.m., which was consistently well attended. As an exceptional teacher, he provided a solid foundation for the many teenagers who had come to faith during the Billy Graham Mission at Kelvin Hall. He was known for his care and dedication, going out of his way to support his congregation. Many young people fondly remember him for providing references for their first jobs. Jenny Vass recalls his kindness when he traveled to her mother’s home in Invergordon to baptise her infant son David, who was gravely ill.
Rev. Matheson left Balintore in 1959 to continue his ministry in Broxburn (1959–1973) and later in Chryston (1973–1977). He passed away in 1977.
Rev J Cossar Walker (1960-61)
John C. Walker was the youngest of three brothers, all of whom became ministers. He experienced new life in Christ through God's transforming grace at the age of 16 during a Railway Mission meeting, which led him to work as an evangelist with the organisation in his early 20s. In 1928, he became the Evangelist for the Perthshire Christian Union. By 1931, he was called to serve the UF Church in Meigle as a Missionary, becoming an Ordained Missionary in 1934. Over the years, Rev. Walker served in various locations, including Cumnock (1935-1937), Patna (1937-1942), Stewarton (1942-1946), Buckhaven (1946-1950), Dunfermline (1950-1954), and Greenock (1954-1960).
He was known for his friendly, outgoing personality, quickly endearing himself to his congregation. Members have spoken of his gift for teaching and fondly recall outdoor activities he organised, such as a memorable hike to Adams Loch, where they enjoyed a "Sausage Sizzle." Despite his short and painful illness, he remained steadfast in his faith, often testifying to the grace and presence of God. Many visitors who spent time with him during this period felt blessed by his unwavering spirit despite his illness.
Though Rev. Walker's ministry at Balintore was brief, his impact on the community was significant, leaving a lasting impression on those he served.
Rev William Johnston (1962-70)
Rev Johnston studied at the Bible Training Institute in Glasgow in 1941 then served as Lay Missionary at Canisbay, (1950-55) and at Boddam (1955-56). In 1956 he began his studies for the ministry at Aberdeen University, serving until October 1958 as Student Missionary at Gorebridge. Ordained in 1958, he served in Airdrie UP until January 1962 when he came to Balintore. His 8 years at Balintore are still fondly remembered by many in the congregation; he is remembered as a gentle giant with big hands and a big smile. He began to conduct weddings almost as soon as he arrived - he married Robbie and Cecily Vass in Tain Parish Church because the Parish minister had double booked.
On Sept 2nd 1970 Rev Johnston was inducted to a new charge at Kilmaurs, taking on Kilmarmock to in 1975. He retired from there to ive in Inverness and a few years into retirement was called upon to work alongside Rev Donald Mut die bet Ballachulish and Fort William. In 1985 he was Maducted as Moderator of the General Assembly but she toore his year ended. Mrs Johnston stayed in Invas iss and kept contact with Balintore for several years; she took part in the Robing ceremony of Rev Tom Patterson.
Rev Tom A B Patterson (1971-98)
Rev Patterson was brought up in Edinburgh and was converted when he was 15 as a result of attending the BB Bible Class in Martyrs and St John United Free Church. He worked with the Civil Service before candidating for the ministry. He completed his studies at Glasgow University and the UF College in Edinburgh, at the same time serving as Student Pastor at Gordon (1970-71). He was ordained and inducted at Balintore United Free Church in 1971. All recall his boundless energy, his passion for souls; his enthusiasm for the Orbit competitions, Easter scheme collection, young people's activities of all kinds.
He introduced Holiday Clubs and seaside missions, and established the Thursday Youth Club in the Seaboard Hall. At his initiative local churches united to pray, and invite well known evangelists to hold week long missions at which many local people were converted. The whole congregation rejoiced when he was appointed Moderator of the Assembly in 1987, and again in 1996 at the celebration of 25 years' ministry. Rev Patterson introduced Christmas Carol and Easter Sunday family evening services in the church. He was greatly mourned at his passing in 1999 but all are richer for having sat under his ministry.
Rev Donald MacKenzie (2001-06)
Rev Mackenzie, a native of Lewis, studied at the Bible Training Institute, Glasgow and in 1977 began his ministry as Missionary at Dounby UF, Orkney. From 1981 till 1988 he was Missionary at Ballachulish and Kinlochleven, being ordained to full ministerial status in 1986. In 1994 Rev Mackenzie was inducted to the charge of Auchterarder, Perth, Balbeggie & Collace. He accepted the call to Balintore and was inducted on April 21st 2001. In 2003 he was appointed Moderator of the General Assembly. A faithful visitor to many in the villages and chaplain to Hilton School Rev Mackenzie was well known and liked by young and old. Rev Mackenzie introduced NIV Bibles to the pews and encouraged the children in morning service to sit at the front and sing a few choruses after their address.
The Christmas Carol Service and Easter Sunday evening service became so well attended that they had to be relocated to the Seaboard Hall. In October 2006, Rev Mackenzie was diagnosed with serious heart problems and doctors ordered his premature retirement. The sudden termination of his ministry was a sad blow to the congregation and the villagers he pastored so well.
Rev Raymond Smart (2007-10)
Rev Smart is a native of Durban, South Africa although his great grandparents were British. He was a fireworker and Chief Inspector of Police before training for the ministry. He ministered in two different congregations in South Africa before answering the call of God to the church in Balintore. He was inducted on October 27th 2007 and settled in very quickly to our different culture. He was passionate for the Gospel and soon became known to villagers who had little or no connection to the church. He demonstrated that love and compassion of the gospel by involving himself in community affairs and activities. He gently introduced a fresh approach to worship and encouraged as many members as possible to find their role in the life of the congregation.
The congregation received news of his return to South Africa with great sorrow, but the work he began under God is bearing fruit in the lives of the members and the challenge he presented lives on.
Rev Andy Downie (2014-21)
Andy was born in Edinburgh and grew up on the city’s south side where his faith journey began early, nurtured by Albany Street Church of the Nazarene and Buccleuch Free Church Campaigners. At just six years old, he trusted Christ through the Nazarene Sunday School.
After attending Sciennes Primary and Boroughmuir High School, Andy graduated in Chemistry from the University of Edinburgh. Feeling called to ministry, he studied at Nazarene Theological College in Manchester, where he met his wife, Norma. Together, they began a lifelong ministry partnership in 1983. For 15 years, they served as Wardens and leaders at Craigentinny Christian Centre in Edinburgh. During this time, Andy also taught RE at his former high school.
Worshipping at Holyrood Abbey Church led to his ordination as an Elder and, eventually, to ministry within the Church of Scotland. Andy served as Associate Minister to Rev Jim Philip at Holyrood Abbey and as Chaplain at HMP Edinburgh before becoming the first full-time Chaplain at HMP Kilmarnock in 1999.
After seven years of service, Andy accepted a call to Benbecula Parish Church in the Western Isles where he ministered for almost eight years. In 2014, Andy and Norma moved to the North East Highlands, where he served as Minister of Word & Sacrament at Balinore United Free Church until their retirement in 2021. Andy also served as Moderator of the United Free Church General Assembly during 2023-24.
Rev M. Scott Cameron (August 2024 - Present)
Scott origninally comes from the Isle of Skye and attended Portree High School. At the age of 16, he began his career in Aberdeen as an accordion demonstrator, and professional accordionist, playing with various bands and other well known musicians and Scottish entertainers. In October 1989, Scott experienced the life-changing power of the Gospel of Christ, which transformed his life and direction. In 1991, he began his training as a lay-evangelist at the St Ninian Centre in Crieff, and by 1992, he had embarked on a study programme for full-time ministry at the University of Aberdeen.
He graduated with his Master of Arts degree in 1997, followed by his Bachelor of Divinity degree in 2000. After serving as an assistant in Port Glasgow, he received a call to Stevenston High Kirk in North Ayrshire, where he served for 22 years.
In October 2022, Scott came as a guest preacher to Balintore UF, where he formed a loving friendship with the congregation. This connection ultimately led to God’s call upon his life, and then to be inducted to Balintore on Saturday 31st August 2024.
