A Kirk and a College in the Craigs of Stirling

June 2, 2026James Dodson

By the

REV. D. D. ORMOND,

F.S.A., SCOT.

STIRLING:

At “The Journal” & Advertiser Office.

1897

My Office-Bearers,

With

Love and Gratitude.

PREFATORY NOTE.

Many are aware that for long there has been a Kirk, but not many—even in the “City of the Rock” itself—suspected that there was a College in the Craigs of Stirling. The following chapters deal with the history of both.

The substance of this work was given in the form of two lectures delivered to the Stirling Natural History and Archæological Society. This circumstance will explain its fulness and its reticence.

The record covers over a century. It is believed that many here and elsewhere will care to learn something of the Rev. John McMillan III. and of his students and his people. Comparatively modern details are given for the sake of completeness. The side-lights on ecclesiastical and local matters may add a little to the general knowledge. It may be mentioned that original documents have been consulted throughout, and that the dates given have been carefully verified.

I desire to express my thanks to the Rev. James Kennedy, B.D., Librarian of the New College, Edinburgh, for ready access to Old Presbytery and Synod records and rare pamphlets; to T. L. Galbraith, Esq., Town Clerk of Stirling, for his helpfulness in the matter of local legal antiquities; to G. M. Brown, Esq. (of Messrs. T. Nelson and Sons), Edinburgh, for information liberally supplied regarding his distinguished grandfather, Mr Thomas Nelson; and to the Rev. Dr Sprott of North Berwick, for details respecting his father.

The Rev. A. Symington, Greenock—the possessor of the original portrait of Professor McMillan—deserves special thanks for permission to reproduce it; as also that of his father, Professor Andrew Symington, D.D. Thomas Binnie, Esq., Glasgow, T. F. Binnie, Esq., Edinburgh, and Miss Binnie, Aberdeen, have given hearty assistance. Messrs J. W. Small, F.S.A. (Scot.), Architect, Stirling, and Thomas Ferguson have aided willingly in the illustration of the work. The Rev. Walter Scott, M.A., of Viewfield U.P. Church, Stirling, has kindly compiled a useful Index.

Services rendered by other helpers have been acknowledged in the text.

D. D. Ormond.

STIRLING,

October, 1897.

CONTENTS.

CHAP. I.—Stirling Ecclesiastical in 1778—The Rise of the R.P. Congregation—The Settlement of the First Minister in the West Church, 11th March 1778—The Four Johns—A Long Sermon, 9

CHAP. II.—John McMillan I.—John McMillan II.—John McMillan III., 19

CHAP. III.—Communion Services in the Old Days—The Cups—The King’s Park—A Disjunction, 25

CHAP. IV.—Local Details—The Site—The Trustees—The Building of the Kirk—How the Kirk was paid for—Finance: Quaint Entries—Viewforth, Residence of Mr McMillan, 30

CHAP. V.—Rev. John McMillan III.—As Presbyter—Preacher—Pastor—Author, 42

CHAP. VI.—Mr McMillan as Professor—The College—His Closing Days—Tombstone and Inscription—His Descendants, 50

CHAP. VII.—List of Students of Theology at Stirling, 1805–1819, 60