New Deputy-Lieutenant for Dumfriesshire

DUMFRIESSHIRE has a new Deputy-Lieutenant – after she swapped the oil platforms of the North Sea for the pulpit. The Reverend Elsie Macrae was born in Malawi in Africa, before coming to Scotland to study engineering in Aberdeen and thereafter started working in the oil industry. Raised in a Christian family, Elsie began feeling a calling, and started process of becoming ordained as a minister in the Church of Scotland. Five years ago she came to Moffat to serve as Minister at Upper Annandale Parish Church. Since then, she has thrown herself into community life – engaging with different organisations from local schools and nursing homes to the Men’s Shed and the RAF retirement home at Dowding House, commenting: “Helping people is key – and my faith is central to everything I do.” Married with two children, Elsie is passionate about getting young people involved in church life. She also works closely with other churches, including Gretna and Eaglesfield parishes. The Lord-Lieutenant of Dumfries, Fiona Armstrong, added:“I am delighted to have Elsie representing the Lieutenancy in the Upper Annandale area. She is an enthusiastic, dedicated, and very popular lady who will do an excellent job in serving King and community.”