Split in Kirkmuirhill Church

Their move comes amid allegations that the church is becoming too liberal and straying from Biblical teachings.

The Rev Ian Watson told the Gazette that 135 of the 280 members were leaving.

Ian will now resign from the Church of Scotland and he has applied to become a minister of the more strict Free Church of Scotland.

Negotiations are taking place for new premises for services and Ian has had an offer of a house when he leaves the manse.

Kirkmuirhill has one of South Lanarkshire’s biggest congregations.

It is one of only a third of Scottish churches which pays its way and subsidises the other two thirds.

For more on this story pick up a copy of this week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette.