The letter from Kevin Byrne in the October issue of Life and Work about the island of Colonsay brought back many happy memories to me.

As a Church of Scotland Reader, I provided pulpit supply there on many occasions. My ‘fee’ was the use of the manse for a week. Services were held alternately either in the Church of Scotland or in the Baptist Church, on the other side of the island. Kevin was always about.

On one occasion, when it was my turn to lead worship, I was informed that the Islands Book Trust were on the island and that they would be present at morning worship. I met one of them and he asked if I would read from a special bible which had been gifted to the island by a professor who had been a regular visitor to the island. The bible, a very large one, was kept at the manse. I willingly agreed.

A day or two later, I looked out the bible. To my dismay, it was in Gaelic. A little later that day a member of the Islands Book Trust visited the manse. He wondered if I would be so kind as to let him do the reading. I willingly agreed.

I am pleased to say that the Church was packed on that Sunday and the service went very well!

Bill Findlay, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow