James M'Turk Strachan (1861-1936) was born in Langholm, son of William Greig Strachan, schoolmaster, and Isabella Jolly. He studied at the United College of St Andrews University from 1877 to 1882 and then at St Mary's College until 1885. He was licensed by St Andrews presbytery in the same year, and worked as minister of Kilspindie in Perthshire from 1888 until his death in 1936.
John Grant Tulloch (1823-1886) studied at the United College of St Andrews University from 1837 to 1841, going straight on to St Mary's College for another 3 years. He was licensed by Perth presbytery in 1844, working as minister of St Paul's in Dundee (1845-1849) and Kettins (1849-1854), until he was appointed principal of St Mary's College, St Andrews. He was awarded a DD in the same year, and received honourary degrees from Glasgow and Edinburgh. He died in office in 1886.