Having served as both a policeman and a minister, as well as holding one of the most important roles within the Church of Scotland, it is fair to say George Whyte has lived a life less ordinary.

Now he is preparing for the latest chapter as he looks forward to well-earned retirement.

Hailing from Barrhead, George was ordained as an elder at the age of 21 and studied science and then divinity at the University of Glasgow, with a year as a police officer in between.

He will stand down from his current post as Principal Clerk of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland next month.

George said: “Looking back on 41 years of ministry, I would say it has been a privilege to serve the Church in many different settings and alongside so many wonderful people.

“I have always been surprised at what I have been called to do and where I have been asked to serve.

“I am glad that I answered God’s call to the ministry, even if, at the time, I had no real idea of what I was taking on.”

It was back in 1981 that George became minister at Kilchrenan and Dalvich with Muckairn, in Argyll.

He then served at Langside Parish Church, in Glasgow, before becoming the spiritual leader of Colinton Parish Church, in Edinburgh, and later taking on the role of Clerk of the Presbytery of Edinburgh in 2008.

That led to service as Depute Clerk to the General Assembly between 2010 and 2017 and he was also convener of the Board of Ministry between 1996 and 2000.

In 2014, George stepped in, at very short notice, to be Acting Principal Clerk when the Very Rev Dr John Chalmers became Moderator of the General Assembly.

He has held the position of Principal Clerk, which requires in-depth knowledge of church law, history, practice and procedure, since 2017.

In addition to advising the General Assembly, the Principal Clerk also supports the Moderator throughout the year, as well as providing training courses and advice to Kirk Sessions, presbyteries, ministers and other church bodies.

George, who is a Chaplain-In-Ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen, is part of a select group of around 40 people who have served in the role since the 1570s.

Described as a man with a sharp mind and excellent sense of humour, he is credited with “holding the Church together” during the Covid pandemic and a time of enormous structural change through his work in roles such as secretary to the Assembly Business Committee.

The committee’s convener, Rev Donald McCorkindale, and vice-convener, Susan Pym, said: “All Principal Clerks face challenges in their day-to-day work but very few will have had to face the enormity of supporting the Kirk through a global pandemic whilst facilitating and encouraging presbytery reform.

“In these worrying and demanding times, he has held the Church together, helped and encouraged us all with new methods of communication such as Zoom and Teams meetings, culminating with the first ever online General Assemblies.

“We are indebted to George for his years of service to his beloved Church.”

A strong supporter of the Boys’ Brigade, George also received a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2004.

He is married to Moira, who has made her own “significant contributions” to the Church over the years.

George added: “I am pleased to be laying down the responsibilities of being Principal Clerk.

“I have no idea what the future holds but, as that has always been the case, I am very comfortable waiting to see what is in store.”