A Haven from Persecution – Greenhill House, Biggar – SFH084

A Haven from Persecution – Greenhill House, Biggar – SFH084

Often the scene of danger, Greenhill House now stands in a tranquil corner of the town of Biggar. Lady Greenhill was a wise and courageous protector of Covenanters who sought out her home as a place of refuge. She was a wanted woman by the authorities. Once Claverhouse arrived suddenly with a band of soldiers and there was no time to escape or hide. “Is Lady Greenhill within?” he demanded. ” I am Lady Greenhill,” she replied coolly. “If you were the lady, you would not so readily acknowledge it.” Her working clothes made her seem like a mere servant. After a search, they once again demanded the same question. She replied: “I am all that you will get for Lady Greenhill today”. Enraged they continued to search but got nowhere. Listen to some other stories connected to this remarkable place. Once a museum, sadly it is being sold, there are photographs of the interior here. You can sign a petition to retain the house for the community here.

 

Lanark Covenanter Memorial – SFH022

Lanark Covenanter Memorial – SFH022

“Lanark is a real Covenanter town…”  Matthew Vogan and Jimmy Fisher are at a large obelisk in St Kentigern’s churchyard in Lanark, which is covered on all four sides with inscriptions of names.  It was built to commemorate the men from the town who were martyred, fined or banished for their adherence to the Covenanting cause.

To dig deeper, visit ScotlandsForgottenHistory.com

James Gavin Memorial Cairn – Douglas, Lanarkshire – SFH021

James Gavin Memorial Cairn – Douglas, Lanarkshire – SFH021

Near the bottom of the Main Street in Douglas, Lanarkshire, you’ll find a small memorial garden with a cairn. If you look closely at the cairn you’ll see some initials carved into the main stone at the top of the cairn.  ‘IG’ and ‘HD’ stand for James Gavin and Helen Dickson. The stone is the lintel stone that was at the top of the doorway to their house which used to stand on the site.  It’s a marriage lintel which James carved for Helen for their wedding. Matthew Vogan is joined by Jimmy Fisher from Scottish Reformation Tours to explain the gruesome meaning behind the carved tailor’s shears…

To dig deeper, visit www.scotlandsforgottenhistory.com.

 

The Cameronians – Douglas & Dunkeld – SFH017

The Cameronians – Douglas & Dunkeld – SFH017

Jimmy Fisher is back with Matthew Vogan and they’re in Douglas, Lanarkshire where the statue of James, Earl of Angus points the way to the location where the Cameronian Regiment first mustered on May 14th, 1689. The Regiment was made up of followers of the Covenanter, Richard Cameron.  Jimmy recalls the role that 900 Cameronians played just a few months later on on August 21st, 1689 at the Battle of Dunkeld, defending the Perthshire town against 4000 – 5000 Jacobites (about a month after the Battle of Killiecrankie).  The defeat of the Jacobites at Dunkeld put an end to the first Jacobite Rising.

To dig deeper, visit ScotlandsForgottenHistory.com

Richard Cameron – Douglas, Lanarkshire – SFH010

Richard Cameron – Douglas, Lanarkshire – SFH010

Richard Cameron was one of the most influential figures among the Covenanters, but the story of what happened to his head and hands is rather grisly. Matthew Vogan of Reformation Scotland is joined again by Jimmy Fisher of Scottish Reformation Tours in the Lanarkshire town of Douglas to find out more.

To dig deeper, visit www.scotlandsforgottenhistory.com