John Cairns

Who is John Cairns?

John Ballantyne Cairns KCVO (born 1942) is a retired minister of the Church of Scotland.

Following a career as a solicitor, he studied theology and was ordained in 1974. His first charge was as minister at the parishes of Langholm, Ewes and Westerkirk. He then became minister at Riverside Parish Church, Dumbarton. He then served as minister of Aberlady and Gullane Parish Churches, East Lothian, until retiring in 2008. In retirement, he is serving as part-time locum minister at St Columba's Church, London. His formal title is the Very Reverend Dr John Cairns.

He was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1999-2000 and was appointed Chaplain to the Queen in 1997. He became Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland in 2006. He has also held convenerships of several General Assembly boards and committees.

The General Assembly over which he moderated was uniquely held in the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. This was to allow the Scottish Parliament to meet in the Church's Assembly Hall.