“One of the old sufferers”: William Reid, Dunning – SFH112

“One of the old sufferers”: William Reid, Dunning – SFH112

Why did William Reid promise to give himself up to the authorities as a wanted field preacher? And why did he once preach in church with a loaded pistol hung around his neck? There are other stories of narrow escapes even in his death when he escaped the malice of the leader of the Jacobite troops, Lord George Murray who wanted “to have the old dog’s bones to bristle in the flames of his own manse”. We can see why Thomas Boston described Reid  as “a worthy man, one of the old sufferers in the persecution”.

Note: Cover Photograph by Simon Warren. This depicts the Rollo Standard referred to in the podcast episode. It was captured at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679 by Major Archibald Rollo, 3rd Lord Rollo (d. 1701), who fought for the royalists. It now hangs in the private collection of the home of the present Lord Rollo, who lives near Dunning in Perthshire and is not readily accessible (information from the Scottish Covenanter Memorial Association).

“The off-scourings of all things, yet…precious”: Alexander Pitcairn, Dron – SFH111

“The off-scourings of all things, yet…precious”: Alexander Pitcairn, Dron – SFH111

People suffered a lot for attending the preaching of Alexander Pitcairn. For many years he continued to minister near Perth without compromise or capture. We find out how. Returning again to Dron near Perth, we discover more about its minister and his experiences.

Cover Photo © Becky Williamson (cc-by-sa/2.0)

“No more night nor darkness”: John Welwood, Dron – SFH110

“No more night nor darkness”: John Welwood, Dron – SFH110

We explore the story behind a secret burial at dead of night.  The deceased young man was only 30 years old but his brief life is worth remembering and some of his dying words retain a unique power. It was the field preacher John Welwood, and he left an abiding influence on another young man Richard Cameron.

The Secret and True History of James Kirkton – Greyfriars, Edinburgh – SFH109

The Secret and True History of James Kirkton – Greyfriars, Edinburgh – SFH109

Wrestling an armed kidnapper and going on the run as an outlawed preacher: the personal history of James Kirkton is certainly dramatic. But he was more interested in writing a history of the momentous national events through which he lived. That too is an arresting narrative. Find out more in this episode.