The Rev’d Dr Clare Caley, Priest-in-charge
I grew up in Kent and, after gaining a degree in Biochemistry from Imperial College London, moved to Scotland to continue my studies – and have never looked back! Following study for a PhD at the University of Edinburgh, I worked for a number of years in industry as an environmental chemist. Looking for a more people -centred role, in 2000 I went back to college and trained as a Chemistry teacher. After two fixed-term posts in Aberdeenshire and then at Plockton, in 2003 I moved permanently to the north-west to teach chemistry at Gairloch High School where I spent 15 very happy years.
I started my training for ministry with the Scottish Episcopal Institute in 2014 on a part-time basis, whilst still continuing to teach full-time, and was ordained deacon in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Inverness in August 2017. I served my curacy with Fr John Cuthbert in the churches of St Michael and All Angels, Inverness and St John the Evangelist, Inverness, and was ordained priest by Bishop Mark in St Michael’s on the Feast of St Clare (11th August) 2018. By this time, it was clear that, although I loved both, the demands of teaching and ministry in the church were such that it was not possible to give each the attention I wished to, and in October 2018 I transferred to full-time church ministry. My curacy finished at Michaelmas 2020 – the last 6 months not going quite as anticipated due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but a wonderfully happy time in which I learned a great deal.
At the end of November 2020, I was licenced by Bishop Mark as Priest-in-charge of the Northwest Charge in an unforgettable service that took place in the open-air at Ardvreck Castle in Assynt on a spectacularly glorious day. Although the Covid regulations have had a significant impact on the start of my ministry here, I am delighted to be serving in this beautiful part of God’s world amongst the scattered small communities that are so familiar to me from my many years in Gairloch.
When not busy working, I enjoy walking and gardening, and I love music, particularly classical and traditional. I am also continuing with some further theological studies which keep me pretty busy. However, the opportunity for a chat with someone over a cup of something is a temptation that usually wins out.