Through an inspirational history teacher, Bill Hodgson, he was able to pass exams.

From there, he was called to Garthamlock and Craigend East, in the Easterhouse area of Glasgow from 1979 to 1988.

[7] In 1999, he formed the charity, Fresh Start,[1][6] which helps people who have been homeless establish themselves in their new home.

[4] In October 2015 he was nominated to succeed Right Rev Dr Angus Morrison as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Barr is married to Margaret, a retired secondary school biology teacher.

[5] After retiring from Cramond Kirk, they now live in St Andrews.