THE FORMER Perth minister, who supported the royal family in the hours after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, is to leave his charge of Crathie and Braemar after nine years.

Bob Sloan, who spent 18 years at North Church, Perth, is to take up a new post on the interim ministry team of the Church of Scotland’s board of ministry.

On Sunday Mr Sloan informed his congregation of his decision.

He will take up his new position in mid- October.

In August 1997, Mr Sloan found himself at the centre of international media attention as the world awoke to the news of the death of Diana in Paris.

Just hours after the news of her death was relayed to her sons and the rest of the family, the royals left Balmoral Castle to attend the Sunday service at little Crathie Kirk, perched on a rise just above the village.

That day Mr Sloan had the task of preaching at the service he was sharing with visiting minister Adrian Varwell.

Mr Sloan made no mention of Diana’s death but prayed for those whose lives were darkened by tragedy and grief.

Yesterday the Church of Scotland confirmed Mr Sloan’s departure and said that in his new post he will be helping congregations to work through a period of change as they look for a new minister.

Mr Sloan will become one of six interim ministers, joining the existing team of five.

Before he took over at Crathie and Braemar, Mr Sloan had been minister at the North Church between 1978 and 1996.

He had previously served as minister of Invergordon Church for 10 years.

Born in Appin, Argyll, Mr Sloan came to Perth as a child and was educated at Viewlands Primary School and Perth Academy.

He graduated from Edinburgh University before serving as assistant at St David’s in Glasgow before his ordination.