He had been up against four other candidates, including the Rev Canon Dr Alison Peden who had been hoping to become the first female bishop in a major church in the UK.

Dr Peyton is the current Archdeacon of Newark in the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham. He was voted in to his new role by an electoral synod comprising clergy and lay church members from the Diocese of Brechin.

Upon hearing news of his election, he said: “I am honoured to have been elected and look forward to returning to serve in the diocese where my ministry began.”

The post of Bishop of Brechin became vacant last year after Dr John Mantle went into early retirement, shortly before he passed away in November.

The electoral synod was chaired by the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Most Rev David Chillingworth, who welcomed Dr Peyton to his new role.

“I congratulate Archdeacon Peyton on his election. The Scottish Episcopal Church will be delighted to welcome him to leadership in the Diocese of Brechin and to share in the life of the College of Bishops,” he said.

A service of consecration and installation of the new bishop will take place at a later date in St Paul’s Cathedral, Dundee.