Scotland's Forgotten History Podcast

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)

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.

How did hissing pupils lead their teacher to discover Reformation teaching? And how did the number 7 feature in the life and ministry of Archibald Simson of Dalkeith? We explore his imprisonment and attempted murder along with other incidents in this episode.

We conclude our series about the Solemn League and Covenant in Ormiston and we discover how and why the international covenant made an international journey from here. What abiding significance did the covenant have after it was publicly burned by the authorities?

The renewing of the Solemn League and Covenant at Aberlady, East Lothian in 1648 gives us the opportunity to consider the international covenant further. The General Assembly had published A Solemn Acknowledgement of Public Sin and Breaches of the Covenant; and a Solemn Engagement to all the Duties contained therein which was to be made use of in this.  It would be publicly read by the minister after a period of public fasting when the Covenant was to be renewed. It was a document that certainly emphasised the "solemn" in Solemn League and Covenant and it was the duty of the Aberlady minister to do this too. We find out more about this event in the penultimate episode in a mini-series on the international covenant.

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 property. They all have their own names. One of them is called Covenant Close and as you might have guessed there is a story behind this.

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 other famous Covenanters that share some connection with the location too.

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 wavering?