The Rev’d Canon Ian Edward Walter  01/07/1947 – 19/05/2026

It is with deep sorrow that St John’s Cathedral, Oban, shares the sad news of the death of The Rev’d Canon Ian Walter on May 18th 2026.

Ian was ordained deacon in the Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway in 1973, having trained at Cuddesdon College and gained Masters degrees at Edinburgh University and Keble College, Oxford.

He served curacies in St John the Evangelist, Greenock and at St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow, before being appointed Rector to St Barnabus, Paisley. Always mentioning his wife, May’s contribution to his ministry, their next steps took them to serve in the Church of England in the Manchester Diocese (St Philip, Bolton le Moors) where, alongside parish life, Ian also served as the Diocesan Ecumenical Officer for 6 years. Ian spent seven years in All Saints Elton, before being appointed to St George Stalybridge and then returning in 2001 to the Scottish Episcopal Church to serve his final appointment in St Cuthbert’s, Hawick in the Diocese of Edinburgh.

Ian retired in 2008 and with May, moved to Oban, where his next 18 years were in faithful and stalwart service at St John’s Cathedral, latterly also maintaining regular services in St Columba’s, Gruline on the Isle of Mull. Retirement was not quiet, he assisted in the Cathedral through 2 vacancies and still delighted in celebrating at midweek services even until a few months before his death. Diocesan recognition of his service was made on July 2nd 2023 when he was installed as an Honorary Canon of St John’s Cathedral on his 50th anniversary of Ordination.

We will miss his presence and ministry shared over many years among the Cathedral congregation, in Gruline and around the Diocese; and we will remember his warm welcome to visitors, immense care in preparing to lead services, his devotion to serve and work for God's Kingdom alongside a deep longing he always felt to do more in his ministry. Theological learning and debate was immensely important to him, alongside duty to the community and his stories of experiences in ministry, and hills and mountains walked, filled many a coffee morning. He was deeply pleased that his final act before being taken ill was to cast his vote.

We have sorrow in his passing from our presence, but pray he has the joy of being in the nearer presence of our God, reunited in the eternal with his wife May - almost 5 years to the day of her death. May died on May 20 2022, and in realising that he would not be able to visit her grave on the anniversary this year, he asked for white carnations to be placed by the paschal candle in the Cathedral. This was done, in the end, marking also his final step into the Kingdom he had faithfully proclaimed for nearly 53 years of ordained life.  

We offer our prayers to Ian’s brothers and wider family and give thanks for his life and ministry. 

We will share more details of his funeral once known.  

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

 

 

The Very Rev'd Margi Campbell

Provost and Dean

 

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The Rev’d Kit (Christopher) Jarman

It is with deep sorrow that we share more sad news, of the death of the Rev’d Kit Jarman, who assisted at the Cathedral from 2004—2017 alongside Canon Ian, and around the Diocese.

Kit trained for Ordination at Wells Theological College and served his curacy at St Philip and St James, Leckhampton in Gloucester Diocese. He served as a Royal Navy Chaplain from 1973 until 1993, before serving as Rector at Holy Trinity, Stirling until 2003. During this time in Stirling, he also served as a Chaplain to the RAF, both until his retirement into the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles.  Serving as Chaplain to the Oban Sea Cadets, after recovering from cancer, he made headlines in Oban by walking five miles on the Corran Esplanade, raising £3,500 for the Sea Cadets. 

Andrew Swift, now Bishop of Brechin writes. “I got to know Kit very well in my time as Dean of Argyll, and valued his faith, directness and determination to serve out his vocation as priest come what may. He supported the cathedral in Oban and other Argyll charges with his characteristic gusto and energy, often being found outside the church in his cloud of tobacco smoke. He greatly valued his years in the SEC after many his years of naval service and he related well to clergy, laity and even, maybe a little bluntly, to bishops. I will miss his annual message to me on the anniversary of my consecration as bishop, humorously reminding me of what I have let myself in for! He is fondly remembered and will be greatly missed.”  The Rt Rev Andrew Swift      Bishop of Brechin 

Provost Margi adds her fond memories of Kit from brief meetings: Kit was always ready to support and shared numerous stories of a varied ministry, especially enjoying his time ministering alongside Canon Ian. He hosted a celebration for Canon Ian’s 50th Anniversary of Ordination, here in Oban.  Kit made time to ring me with congratulations and conversation  each year on the anniversary of my Installation at the Cathedral.

We offer our prayers and condolences to his wife Catherine.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

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We are pleased to announce that Bishop David’s 2026 Lent Appeal will be in support of Embrace the Middle East and their vital work tackling poverty and injustice across the Middle East.

This year, Bishop David is inviting us to stand alongside some of the most vulnerable communities in the world — families facing conflict, displacement, economic hardship and inequality.

Embrace the Middle East partners with trusted local Christian organisations to:

• Support education and healthcare services

• Empower women and young people

• Provide humanitarian relief in times of crisis

• Challenge injustice and promote dignity for all

Through practical action and long-term development, they help communities build resilience and hope for the future.

In a region where many continue to endure instability and deep-rooted poverty, our Lent Appeal offers a meaningful opportunity to respond with compassion and solidarity. Every gift, prayer and act of support will contribute to life-changing work on the ground.

Scottish Episcopal Church

DIOCESE OF ARGYLL & THE ISLES

The Right Reverend David Railton

Bishop of Argyll & The Isles

Diocesan Centre

Croft Avenue

Oban

Argyll

PA34 5JJ

21^st December 2025

 

Announcement from the Bishop’s Office

 

The Bishop of Argyll and The Isles is delighted to announce the appointment of the Revd Iain Osborne as Priest-in-Charge of St Columba’s, Portree, and St Michael and All Angels, Raasay. This appointment is subject to the receipt of the required paperwork and appropriate PVG clearance.

It is hoped that the service of licensing, celebrating the beginning of this new ministry, will take place in April. Iain and his wife Susan will receive a warm welcome as they join the congregations and settle into their new home on Skye.

Bishop David said: “I am thrilled to share the news of this appointment. Iain brings a wealth of ministerial experience, and the appointment of the first stipendiary priest on Skye for a number of years is a moment of real joy and significance for the Diocese. This is wonderful news for the Scottish Episcopal Church on Skye. We look to the future with hope and confidence, trusting in God’s abiding presence as we begin this new chapter of ministry together. I very much look forward to welcoming Iain and Susan and hold them in my prayers as they prepare to move.”

Iain currently serves as Senior Chaplain and Strategy Advisor to the Bishop of Ely and will be warmly welcomed, along with Susan, as they join the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles.

Iain writes, “Susan and I are so much looking forward to getting to know the people of the churches and the islands.  I know that many prayers by the faithful congregations on Skye and Raasay have led up to this appointment.  Susan and I have also tried to hear and follow God’s call in our lives.  So, while we don’t know exactly what the coming years will bring, we believe God has good things in store for all of us in the churches and across the islands.”