St Ninian's Clock Tower, Stirling

James Mackie (1685–1765) was a Church of Scotland minister and historian who served as Moderator of the General Assembly in 1751.

Life

The destruction of St Ninian's Church by explosion in 1746 (shown on a contemporary fan)

He was licensed by the Presbytery of Dalkeith in 1719 and ordained as minister of Forteviot in March 1720.[1]

In 1734 he translated from Forteviot to St Ninian's Parish, south of Stirling, under the patronage of King George II. He remained there for the remainder of his life.[1]

During his period of occupancy, in 1746 St Ninian's Church was blown up as part of the Jacobite Uprising of 1745. The Jacobite forces at gathered on the morning of 1 February 1746 at the church, but Bonnie Prince Charlie was late to arrive. They were trying to organise a systematic retreat of the Jacobite forces due to approaching forces from Edinburgh. Lord George Murray was therefore in charge. At some point, the church which was being used as a gunpowder store, blew up. It is unclear if this was a complete accident or a deliberate act gone wrong (as many people were injured).[2] The congregation met in the West Church of Stirling until a new church was built in 1750.[3]

In 1751 he succeeded Rev Robert Patoun as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland the highest position in the Scottish church.[4]

He died in Stirling on 13 June 1765 aged 79.[1]

Family

In November 1726 he married Catherine Laing (died 1770). Their children included:

  • Rev Alexander Mackie of Arbroath
  • Amelia
  • Catherine, married Rev Andrew Gray of Abernethy
  • Jean, married Rev Patrick Meik of Kinnoull

Publications

  • A True and Impartial Account of the Blowing Up of St Ninian's Church in 1746
  • Answer to Mr Hamilton's Testimony

References

  1. 1 2 3 Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae; by Hew Scott
  2. ↑ A True and Impartial Account of the Blowing Up of St Nininian's in 1746 by Rev James Mackie
  3. ↑ "St Ninians Old Parish Church | Post Reformation Ministers".
  4. ↑ "Moderators of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland genealogy project".
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