His brothers often visited him, and joined heartily in his pursuits whether gay or serious.

It was delightful to see the three brothers so happy in each other's society, and helping on a worthy common object.

Marmaduke, the Cambridge man, would talk astronomy, and William, the sailor, afterwards Admiral Ramsay, brought down a fine telescope, and himself gave them their first lesson in practical astronomy, handing over the instrument when he left to his brother the curate, that he might continue the instruction.
During all these years of useful, cheerful, happy employment at Frome, Edward Ramsay never forgot the land of his forefathers and of his own youth.

He sometimes visited Bath and London to hear Edward Irving preach, to see Kean act, to stare at old books and prints in the shop windows, to revel in the beauties of Kew Gardens; but every summer he found time for a visit to Scotland, and spent his holiday with boyish delight amongst the scenes and friends of his childhood.
It was on one of those visits to Scotland, in the autumn of 1822, whilst Mr.Ramsay was spending his holidays among his friends on Deeside, that the managers of St.Paul's Chapel, Aberdeen, offered him the place of second minister to that congregation, along with Mr.Cordiner.He was much gratified, and would gladly have accepted the appointment.

He liked the place--his native town; thought highly of the respectability of the congregation; but there was one objection, which to him was insuperable.
The congregation had for some time been Episcopal only in name, and it went against Mr.Ramsay's conscience to minister in a church calling itself Episcopal, but without the communion or discipline of a bishop.
He explained to the managers his objection, and thought for a time it might be overcome by a union with the Scotch Episcopal churches in the diocese.