New moderator announced by the Church of Scotland

Rev Arnott will take up the post next May

A former chaplain to one of Scotland's toughest prisons is to be the new moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

The Reverend David Arnott, who spent two years as a part-time chaplain at Barlinnie, has been named as moderator-designate.

The minister is a regular guest on BBC Radio Scotland's Thought for the Day.

The married father-of-three and grandfather-of-six was born in Dunfermline, Fife.

Mr Arnott studied at St Andrews and Edinburgh universities before receiving his call to the Church.

Following a probationary placement at St Ninian's Parish Church in Greenock in 1971, he was ordained to Stobhill Parish Church in Gorebridge.

Two years later he was called to Netherlee Parish Church in Glasgow.

In 1996 he was inducted to his last charge at St Andrews - Hope Park which was linked to Strathkinness Church in October 2005.

Throughout his church career Mr Arnott has served on various Church of Scotland boards and committees both at presbytery and national level.

From 2006 to 2009 he was senior director of the Kirk's new assessment conferences.

He will replace Rev John Cairns Christie at the Kirk's next general assembly in May 2011.

The role is an honorary one which is held for a 12-month period.