KIRK membership has dropped by almost 50,000 in the past three years, more than 320 a week, according to new figures. The statistics, due to come before the Church’s General Assembly next month, have led to claims that it the Church of Scotland is “struggling to stay relevant”.

Issues such as ordination of gay ministers and a row over same-sex marriage have been blamed in part for members of congregations departing, though the Kirk has said that both demographic and societal changes were more significant drivers than any single issue, writes Craig Brown in The Scotsman