ROSYTH Parish Church has said goodbye to its long-serving minister, the Reverend Violet McKay.

After being at the helm for the last 15 years, Violet marked her retiral with a farewell service and lunch.

Originally from Cowdenbeath, she began her studies for the ministry at Edinburgh University in 1982 and was based at Lochgelly Macainsh Church for her probationary year.

She then went to St Ninian’s in Glenrothes where she was ordained in 1988 and spent 11 years there before moving to St Andrews and then working for a short time as an interim minister.

Violet, 64, was called to Rosyth in August 2002 where she has had to oversee a large amount of upheaval and change.

“Shortly after I arrived, major dry rot was discovered in my church and we had to get out and we went and used the wee dockyard church down at St Columba’s and were there for a long time,” she explained.

“Funding was found and the church was refurbished and we moved back in around September 2015. I am just sorry we weren’t in earlier when we could have done a bit more but I think it is time for fresh blood.”

As well as planning more holidays, retirement will give Violet more time to spend time with husband Tom and her family – especially her three young grandchildren Emily, Luke and Josh.

“I will really miss the congregation,” she added. “You get to know people and their families and they get to know you but the time is right to go.”