He continued his studies at the Scots College, Rome in August 1836 and was ordained a priest on 15 April 1843.

He returned to Scotland and was appointed professor of Latin, Greek and Hebrew at Blairs.

After a year and a half, he was recalled to Scotland to serve as rector of St Clement's Academy, Wellburn and as priest in charge of the Lochee mission.

The principal consecrator was Archbishop Charles Petre Eyre, with Bishops John McLachlan and Angus MacDonald as co-consecrators.

He also convened and presided over the First Plenary Council of Scotland which took place at Fort Augustus Abbey.