Robert Blair (minister)

The Rev. Dr. Robert Blair DD VD (3 May 1837 – 4 November 1907) was a Scottish minister and a Gaelic scholar.

Blair was born in Bullwood, Dunoon, Scotland, the son of Duncan Blair and Margaret Campbell. He was educated at Bowmore School, Islay, then Glasgow University where he gained an M.A. in 1863.

He was licensed by the Presbytery of Kintyre on 29 November 1865 when he was assistant at Saddell. He was ordained to Tarbert, Loch Fyne on 19 September 1867.

On 6 May 1869 he moved to St Columba's Church, Glasgow, a Gaelic Church. He then went to Cambuslang on 23 May 1882, where he succeeded the Rev. Dr. James S. Johnstone. Blair was followed at Cambuslang by the Rev. James Edward Houston (1892-1908). Blair moved to St John’s parish church, Edinburgh on 20 July 1892. He was awarded a Doctorate of Divinity by Glasgow University in 1891. He served as chaplain to the Glasgow Highlanders and to H.M. Prison, Edinburgh, and was awarded the Volunteer Officers' Decoration (VD) on 15 August 1902.