James Harkness: key obituary facts
Is James Harkness dead? Yes. James Harkness died on August 24, 2026, at age 90.
Cause of death: James Harkness's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was James Harkness known for?
He was a Scottish minister.
More about James Harkness
Born: 20 October 1935.
Place of birth: Thornhill.
Gender: male.
Occupation: Christian minister, chaplain.
Education: University of Edinburgh.
Awards: Officer of the Order of the British Empire, Companion of the Order of the Bath, Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.
James Harkness, a Scottish Church of Scotland minister, died on August 24, 2026, aged 90.
He served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and held a number of honours, including KCVO, CB, OBE, KStJ, QHC and FRSA. Born in Thornhill on October 20, 1935, he studied at the University of Edinburgh after attending Morton and Dumfries Academy.
Harkness later served as a student assistant minister at Edinburgh’s St George’s and at North Morningside, where he had two spells of service early in his career.