Ayr Rotary Club hears of the Plight of the Covenanters

 

Members of the Rotary Club were taken back to one of the most turbulent periods in Scottish history when local historian and author Dane Love gave a fascinating talk on the plight of the Covenanters in the 17th century.

Dane, who was born and brought up in Cumnock, has a lifelong interest in Scottish and local history. A former teacher and Principal Teacher at Irvine Royal Academy, he has written dozens of books on Scottish history and has spent many years researching historical sites and events throughout the country.

His talk described the struggle of the Covenanters, who opposed attempts by the Crown to impose changes on the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. What began as a religious dispute developed into a bitter political conflict, leading to years of persecution, imprisonment and execution.

Dane highlighted several key events, including the Pentland Rising of 1666, when Covenanters rebelled against the harsh enforcement of royal authority. Following their defeat at Rullion Green, many were captured and executed. In Ayr and Irvine, even the official hangmen reportedly refused to carry out the executions.

He also described the Covenanter victory at Drumclog in 1679, followed just three weeks later by their defeat at Bothwell. Hundreds were killed and many more taken prisoner, marking the beginning of the period remembered as the “Killing Time”.

A particularly grim story concerned , who was killed at Airds Moss in 1680. His head and hands were cut off and publicly displayed. His name was later commemorated by the famous Scottish infantry regiment, the Cameronians.

Dane also brought the story closer to home with the tale of Alexander Peden, one of the best-known Covenanter figures. Peden was imprisoned on Bass Rock and later died in Ayrshire in 1686. His body was exhumed by government troops and taken to Cumnock, where they intended to display it on the village gallows. Instead, he was reburied there, and the people of Cumnock subsequently turned Gallows Hill into the village graveyard.

The persecution finally came to an end following the events of 1688, when William of Orange became King, with Scottish Presbyterianism subsequently recognised.

The talk provided Rotary members with a fascinating insight into a turbulent chapter of Scotland’s past, as well as highlighting the many Covenanter connections that remain throughout Ayrshire today.

Dr Jimmy Begg gave a thoroughly deserved vote of thanks