5 minute
Podcasts
You can cram a lot of Scotland’s Forgotten History into 5 minutes!
Covenant Close and the International Covenant – The Royal Mile, Edinburgh – SFH104
The Royal Mile was the trunk of Old Edinburgh with a large number of small alleyways called closes, courts or wynds branching off on each side. Most of the alleyways are called “closes” which tend to be narrow with tall buildings on both sides and access private...
Newbattle Abbey and the International Covenant – Lothian Burial Ground, Newbattle Abbey – SFH103
You would never realise that this neglected spot within the grounds of Newbattle Abbey witnessed considerable events of such historical significance. Our story weaves around Robert Leighton and the leading Covenanting noble the Earl of Lothian. But there are some...
Freedom and Faithfulness? – George Johnstone of Newbattle – SFH102
Could this Covenanters cave in Newbattle near Dalkeith have been a hiding place for the local minister George Johnstone? Who was Johnstone and why was he wanted by the government? We learn much about his life, sufferings and decisions. Will he always stand without...
Explaining the International Covenant – SFH101
What exactly was the Solemn League and Covenant all about? Many people were asking this at the time of course. And some tried to help them with published explanations. In this episode we get an overview of the International Covenant and how it was applied by a leading...
“Honest Mr William Erskine” – Tron Church, Edinburgh – SFH100
Imprisoned (as he put it himself) “merely for preaching the Gospel, as he had received power from Christ”, William Erskine would certainly preach again to the benefit of many. His cousins Ralph and Ebenezer are better known but the little we can learn about "honest Mr...
“So great an engagement, than which nothing is higher”: The International Covenant in England – SFH099
The International Covenant was enthusiastically welcomed and subscribed to in England as well as Scotland. The momentous day it was sworn first, 25 September 1643 was said to be "a day of contentment and joy." Some said, "we judged the day of entering into this...
“Smoking Desires for Union” – The International Covenant at St Giles – SFH098
Intense emotion surrounded the beginnings of the movement that brought about the Solemn, League and Covenant. It was an international covenant that embraced the political, religious and personal of these nations - a very unique thing. In this episode, we find out how...
“A Man of Many Meditations” – John Carstairs – SFH097
We conclude the life of John Carstairs (or Carstares), this remarkable story is not often told. He was not just a man of prayer but also "a man of many meditations". Also "of great and rare piety; he was full of love; he dwelt, walked, and lived in that fire of love"....
Escaping from Prison – Canongate Tolbooth – SFH096
Many Covenanter prisoners were kept in the fearful conditions of the Canongate Tolbooth. Anyone would want to escape, and more than a few Covenanter prisoners actually managed to gain their freedom. We find out more about that in this episode but also look at those...
“Such a wife, such a friend, such a counsellor” – Janet Carstairs – SFH095
What was it like to be married to a persecuted minister? Did the trials put a strain on relationships? We find out first hand from the letters that passed between Janet and John Carstairs (sometimes Carstares) while he was being pursued by the authorities. She would...
“O what a glory appears here!” – John Carstairs’ Revival Experiences – SFH094
Revival came on two different occasions in the 1650s in the same area by the same preacher. Samuel Rutherford said that John Carstairs had "much of heaven in his bosom". We find out more about the prayers and preaching of the man who experienced remarkable revival in...
“A friend to Reformation” – Archibald Campbell – SFH093
Archibald Campbell's portrait seems stern and forbidding at first glance, but there is an unfortunate reason for that. And as we discover more of the life and words of the Marquis of Argyle it is clear that it would be a big mistake to judge him by his appearance. He...
An Ingenious Alibi – Bowbeat Hill, Moorfoots – SFH092
Interrogated on your way to an illegal worship service. Would you admit where you were going and endanger your life as well as others? Would a lie be wrong? This happened to one young woman and in this episode we find out more about the circumstances and her ingenious...
“Much melting of heart” a Covenanting Communion service – Ormiston Old Kirk – SFH091
A very small glimpse of some ordinary spiritual experiences during a time of widespread revival. If you have wondered what Covenanting communion services were like, including their impact, listen to this episode. Andrew Hay records experiences in the place where Knox...
“To sink or swim together” – Henderson and British Church Unity – SFH090
In the various twists and turns of unfolding events, Alexander Henderson is greatly favoured then scorned by the king within months. But as incidents erupt, negotiations fail and positions harden the destinies of some in England and Scotland begin to move together....
Scotland’s Forgotten International Covenant – SFH089
What was the connection between reformation and covenant? Why did English puritans as well as Scots come to think it was necessary to have a covenant for the whole British Isles? Most people today know little about the Solemn League and Covenant and what makes it...
Alexander Reid’s “Very Remarkable” Experiences – Kirkliston Church – SFH088
Many narrow escapes and other experiences filled the life of the man marked by a fine table stone grave at Kirkliston Parish Church. Alexander Reid from Broxburn tells us a lot about his experiences in evading capture. He wrote it all down at the end of his life as a...
How Peden’s Ministry Began (But Almost Did Not) – Biggar Kirk – SFH087
We visit the last church to be built in Scotland before the Reformation to discover some of its later history. In 1659, the Covenanter Alexander Peden was here and about to begin his ministry when some dramatic events threatened to put a stop to it. It was said that...
A Strange Transformation, James Harkness and the Captain – Biggar – SFH086
James Harkness from Dumfriesshire was the special object of loathing for the dragoons. They called him Harkness with the "long gun" and were only too pleased to capture him and treat him with brutal contempt. But strangely, that experience was going to turn out for...
“Hanged Without Trial” – Peter Gillies, Skirling – SFH085
We find out about the Covenanter connections with the pretty little village of Skirling. While there is not much information about James Ramage and Alexander Smith, we know much more about Peter Gillies. Driven out of his native district he narrowly escaped from...