A Broughty Ferry minister and his family from Brazil say they are delighted to have swapped the heat of their native country for the cold, mist and rain of Scotland to become British citizens.
The Rev Alberto Almeida De Paula (42), his wife Luciane and sons Davi (16) and Isaque (13) were among 30 people to assemble in Dundee City Chambers on Wednesday to take the oath of allegiance to the Queen.
Mr de Paula is minister at St James Church in Broughty Ferry and he said the Dundee area is now firmly his family’s home.
“We came to this country seven years ago and, although we have received clearance to stay, we felt that going further to take out British citizenship was the right thing to do,” he said.
“Yes, Brazil is a good bit warmer than Scotland but we don’t mind the weather here. We are very happy at the church and we like living in Monifieth and our sons enjoy being at Monifieth High School. We are delighted to have done this today.”
His family have made many friends, and there was a special one at the ceremony.
The proceedings were conducted by deputy lord lieutenant Charles Webster, a former Broughty Ferry councillor who is also session clerk of St James Church.
Mr de Paula formerly worked as a laboratory technician before studying for the ministry in his native Brazil. He pastored in the south of the country on qualifying before arriving in Scotland.
He worked as an assistant minister in Arbroath for a year before taking up his current position for which his tenure lasts until 2015.
Mr de Paula is also pastor to Broughty Ferry Lifeboat.
As well as Brazil, Wednesday’s applicants were from China, Iraq, Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, India, Hong Kong and Algeria.
The 30 new citizens took the traditional oath of allegiance to the Queen and pledged to uphold British democratic values.