Canon Iain, who recently retired as the parish priest at St Andrew's after 23 years' service in Rothesay and 44 years in the priesthood, officiated with his successor, Father Michael Hutson, and his friend and colleague, Father Sandy Culley of St Mun's Church in Dunoon, at a mass of thanksgiving at the church.

All three had taken part in a similar service at nearby St Andrew's Primary School earlier in the day, at which pupils Mark Cobain and Sean Anderson presented Canon Iain with a beautiful Ed Hunter painting.

In his homily at the church service that evening, Fr Culley paid a generous tribute to Canon Iain, "who," he said, "for all these 44 years, has served faithfully the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles, and in particular you, the people of Bute, with unfailing kindness and generosity."

Canon Iain was presented with gifts by Harry and Cathy Thomson, on behalf of the congregation at St Andrew's, and by Julian Hankinson on behalf of the United Church of Bute.

"After all that you have done, what am I going to say?" Mr Thomson asked. "It has been a pleasure to have been one of your parishioners over all these years."

Mr Hankinson handed over a beautifully decorated bowl, "as a token of our very great respect for you, and your goodwill and kindness to our congregation, over the years."

Fr Hutson, meanwhile, received a resounding cheer when he suggested that Canon Iain be told he was "welcome to come back to Rothesay whenever he likes".

With typical humility, Canon Iain himself singled out a large number of people for their help and kindness towards him during his time on Bute - and had some very generous words of praise for his successor.

"It is a new advent for you as a parish," he said, "for you have in your midst now a true leader.

"While he was still a young student I noted that he is a fine human being who sees the good in everyone who passes before him - and that is a very rare gift."

Promising to return to Scotland in the new year, Canon Iain's parting words to the people he came to know so well during his 23 years on Bute were simple: "I shall miss you all, and love you forever."