Letter: In Goth's name

I was mildly amused by your article and opinion piece on the Free Church's desire to reach out to the wider community (19 May).

As a student many years ago I went through a Goth phase, and the bands you name-checked in your piece brought back memories (although I doubt many younger Goths would recognise them). It was during this period that I was first taken along to a Free Church service.

Now, many years later, in spite of speaking no Gaelic, being from Borders stock and not having any relatives from Lewis, Harris or Skye, I'm an elder in the church. While I've (mostly) outgrown my Goth phase, I do still enjoy listening to the Sisters of Mercy now and again.

Not long ago my friends and I were listening to a talk where someone referred to the stereotypical Wee Free elder dressed all in black. One of my friends looked at me with a grin, but I doubt Dr Martens, black jeans and T-shirt and a battered biker's jacket is what the speaker had in mind.

The good news is that the Free Church is open to everyone, and better still, so is the good news of the gospel. I fear that these days my Goth status would be revoked for being too upbeat and cheerful.

DAVID FERGUSON

Birchwood

Invergordon