Rev John Fraser Retires
From Moriston Matters, Issue 30, December 1982.
On the evening of Friday 24 September a gathering of his congregation and friends met in the Memorial Hall, Fort Augustus, to pay tribute to the Rev John Fraser, Free Church Minister of the congregations of Glenmoriston Fort Augustus and South Laggan on his retiral. The Rev Mr Morrison of Fort William was in the chair and opened the proceedings with an act of worship.
A native of Kiltarlity who grew up with his uncle in Stratherrick where he learned the ways of the land, Mr Fraser served the Free Church congregation of Wick before coming to the dear Glen where he and Mrs Fraser, along with her mother, Mrs Murray, for a number of years, made their home at Culnacarn, and their garden an oasis in the midst of the hills.
John Smart, elder in Glenmoriston spoke at the gathering as follows:
"On behalf of the three congregations, I would like to say how thankful we should be to the “Most High” for all that he has enabled our minister, Mr Fraser, to be and to do for us during these seventeen years.
I trust we will be enabled to rejoice and be glad with the good tidings and the good news of the Great Salvation of God in Christ Jesus which he has been dutifully preaching to us all these years – and now we wish him, and Mrs Fraser, God's blessing as they retire to their new home in Munlochy. It is not so far away but, if spared and well, we may have the pleasure of seeing them occasionally.
Since we became fully aware of our minister's intention to retire, and especially since he got a house in Munlochy we became anxious about getting him, and Mrs Fraser, a small presentation. So, after some discussions, we decided to have a meeting at Miss Maggie MacLennan’s with her willing consent. We had a nice meeting and a nice tea with Mics Maclennan's usual hospitality.
We decided to go round the three congregations and collect from the Church adherents. There was a very good response, so after another meeting and arrangements, this is now the pleasant result, our gathering here this evening.
We are all very glad to have present the Rev Murray, Glenurquhart, and the Rev John Morrison, Fort William; also their wives, Mrs Murray and Mrs Morrison; also the elder from Fort William, Mr MacDonald, and Mrs MacDonald.
We also welcome the friends who contributed, and wish to thank them very much".
Then Miss Lily Baker, Fort Augustus and Miss Janet MacRae, South Laggan presented Mr & Mrs Fraser with a colour television set and two lovely pot plants, and Miss Maggie MacLennan handed over a sum of money to help keep the set licensed. Mr Fraser replied, thanking the people and telling of the urge that had led him to the Great Glen and of how much he had enjoyed his stay there.
There followed a specially delicious tea served by Mrs Coutts who had been in charge of all the practical arrangements, and her helpers.
A short epilogue led by the Rev Mr R Murray of Drumnadrochit brought the evening to a fitting close.