Sellar, John

Birth: July 31 1884 – Newtonmore

Marriage: July 29 1913 – Edinburgh to Isabella Forbes MacDonald

Death: July 17 1975 – Inverness

Short Life Summary

John Sellar was born and raised in Newtonmore. His early enthusiasm for shinty gave way to a strong commitment to the church. After earning an M.A. from Edinburgh University in 1908, he was ordained as assistant Minister in the Church of Scotland, Riccarton, Kilmarnock, in 1911. He married Isabella Forbes MacDonald in 1913, and they had three children: Isabel, Andrew and Charlotte. The family later moved to the Highlands, where John served as minister in Carnoch-Strathconon for seven years. On his call to the Parish of Urquhart and Logie Wester in 1918 he soon impressed his new parishioners, in the churches in Drummondreach and Conon Bridge as a gentle, humorous and kind minister.

A keen shinty player, he captained the 1906 Edinburgh University team and led Newtonmore to Camanachd Cup victory in 1907. He served with the Lovat Scouts in World War I and with the Home Guard in World War II.

He enjoyed curling with the Caberfeidh Curling Club, becoming honorary President and Chaplain in 1950.He was also fond of fishing golf. The manse maintained a beautiful garden.

Retiring in 1961, he lived on in his manse until his peaceful death in 1975

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Obituary

John Sellar was born and brought up in Newtonmore. An early enthusiasm for shinty was soon overtaken by a commitment to the church

After graduating with an M.A. from Edinburgh University in 1908, he was ordained assistant Minister in the Church of Scotland, Riccarton, Kilmarnock, in 1911. He married Isabella Forbes MacDonald on 29 July 1913. Together they had three children, Isabel, Andrew and Charlotte. The family then moved to the Highlands, where John was minister of the parishes of Carnoch-Strathconon for seven years. In 1918 he was called to the parish of Urquhart and Logie Wester where he faithfully served the churches at Drummondreach and in Conon Bridge until retiring in 1961.

A keen shinty player from his youth and student days, he captained the 1906 Edinburgh University shinty team, while he led Newtonmore, to Camanachd Cup victory in 1907.Forty years later his contribution was recognised when he was elected President of the Newtonmore Camanachd from 1947-1950.

During World War 1, he served with the Lovat Scouts and during World War 2, with the Home Guard. Known on the ice as ‘padre’ he enjoyed curling with the Caberfeidh Curling Club (Ross and Cromarty Province), becoming its honorary President and Chaplain in 1950.

A keen fisher all his life he took to golf too in his later years.

John and Isabella kept a fine manse garden, known for its roses and carnations, its abundant summer fruit. Bella, the housekeeper, was a good baker, preparing memorable high teas for visiting friends and parishioners.

John was quietly spoken, gentle, funny and very kind; he was known for his sense of humour, his compassion, his ability to tell an interesting story.

Retiring in 1961 he lived on in his manse until his peaceful death in 1975

He was survived by Isabel and Charlotte.

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