Sunday Flowers and Hymns
Join Rev. Robin McAlpine at Bennochy Parish Church
Rev. Robin McAlpine

Robin McAlpine Biography

I was born in Glasgow in 1959 and brought up, just outside of Glasgow, in Bearsden. I attended school in Milngavie before going on to study dentistry at Glasgow University. Before finishing this degree, I was called into the ministry. After working as a dentist for a couple of years, I returned to Glasgow University to study for my divinity degree.

My main influences in entering the ministry were my own minster, John Paterson, minister of St Paul's church in Milngavie (a former moderator of the General Assembly), being part of an organisation called ‘Crusaders’ (now 'Urban Saints') an independent evangelical organisation which was particularly strong in the Glasgow area at the time, St Paul's Youth Fellowship and my grandfather, who was also a Church of Scotland minister in Orkney and Clydebank.

After finishing my Divinity degree I did my probationary period at Temple Anniesland church in Glasgow. I was ordained and inducted to Duntocher Trinity church in 1988 and after serving there for 9 years took up the post of Regional Adviser in Mission and Evangelism, working for the Board of National Mission. The office was based in Kirkcaldy, so I made the 'cultural shift' from one side of the country to the other!

After reorganisation, my post changed to being a Development Officer, specialising in Elder Training and Leadership Development, working for the Mission and Discipleship Council. While working for the central church, I graduated with a master’s degree from Glasgow University in church consultancy. After 13 years in these roles I left and in 2011 took up the post of parish minister of the new union of Bennochy church.

I have been married to Anne, an occupational therapist, for over 30 years; have two of a family, Stuart who is studying for a PHD at Durham University and Fiona who has the most important job of all, being mum to our granddaughter, Hollie, who is eight. I enjoy golf, walking and music – I play guitar, bass guitar, ukulele and percussion. I also sing in a local community choir and enjoy reading (Sci-Fi and Scottish history).



Robin was inducted into Bennochy Parish Church on 3rd February 2011 and his final service was held at Bennochy on Sunday 23rd October 2022 prior to his retirement.