| Description | Synod of Moray:
Presbytery of Abernethy, 1722-2001
Rothiemurchus Kirk Session, 1798-1911; Laggan Kirk Session, 1775-1961; Duthil Kirk Session, 1820-1978; Cromdale, Inverallan and Advie Kirk Session, 1702-1986; Abernethy and Kincardine Kirk Session, 1731-1923; Insh Kirk Session, 1837-1928; Alvie Kirk Session, 1713-1924; Boat of Garten and Kincardine Kirk Session, 1935-1977; Kingussie and Insh Kirk Session, 1892-1977; Advie/Cromdale and Advie Kirk Session 1888-1978
Presbytery of Inverness, 1632-1935
Urquhart and Glenmoriston Kirk Session, 1861-1977; Petty Kirk Session, 1644-1935; Kirkhill Kirk Session, 1707-1979; Moy and Dalarossie Kirk Session, 1742-1971; Inverness and Bona Kirk Session, 1661-1961; Boleskine Kirk Session 1737-1957; Inverness West Kirk Session, 1840-1908; Daviot and Dunlichity Kirk Session, 1771-1976; Kiltarlity East Kirk Session, 1814-1980; Dores Kirk Session, 1806-1943; Inverness East Kirk Session, 1834-1927; Inverness St Stephen's Kirk Session, 1894-1945; Inverness St Mary's (Gaelic) Kirk Session, 1884-1959
Presbytery of Nairn, 1773-1929
Croy Kirk Session, 1640-1950; Cawdor Kirk Session, 1719-1998; Ardclach Kirk Session, 1686-1967; Auldearn Kirk Session, 1767-1977; Ardersier Kirk Session, 1729-1963; Nairn Old Kirk Session, 1812-1942
Synod of Ross, 1707-1929
Presbytery of Chanonry, 1706-1929
Cromarty Kirk Session, 1678-1980; Avoch Kirk Session, 1728-1886; Rosemarkie Kirk Session, 1737-1935; Knockbain Kirk Session, 1750-1934; Killearnan Kirk Session, 1744-1999; Resolis Kirk Session, 1771-1977
Presbytery of Dingwall, 1649-1953
Kiltearn Kirk Session, 1697-1928; Carnoch in Strathconon Kirk Session, 1834-1959; Contin Kirk Session, 1793-1955; Fodderty Kirk Session, c.1719-1947; Kilmorack Kirk Session, 1808-1960; Dingwall Kirk Session, 1677-1974; Urquhart and Logie Wester Kirk Session, 1684-20th century; Alness Kirk Session, 1872-1948; Urray and Kilchrist Kirk Session, 1861-1978
Presbytery of Tain, 1693-1929
Tain Kirk Session, 1701-1943; Tarbat Kirk Session, 1750-1957; Kilmuir Easter Kirk Session, 1771-1935; Logie Easter Kirk Session, 1777-1962; Fearn Kirk Session, 1771-1980; Rosskeen East Kirk Session, 1754-1942; Kincardine Kirk Session, 1804-1947; Croick Kirk Session, 1872-1947; East Edderton Kirk Session, 1821-1920; Nigg Old Kirk Session, 1705-1971
Presbytery of Ross, 1981-1996
Synod of Sutherland and Caithness:
Presbytery of Tongue, 1726-1960
Tongue Kirk Session, 1777-1934; Durness Kirk Session, 1764-1953
Presbytery of Dornoch, 1707-1961
Golspie Kirk Session, 1731-1977; Lairg Kirk Session, 1855-1915; Kildonan Kirk Session, 1851-1911; Creich (Bonar Bridge) Kirk Session, 1838-1946; Assynt Kirk Session, 1818-1933; Stoer Kirk Session, 1882-1932
Synod of Glenelg, 1725-1929
Presbytery of Lochcarron, 1724-1929
Applecross Kirk Session, 1779-1862; Glenelg Kirk Session, 1831-1977; Glenshiel Kirk Session, 1831-1987; Kintail Kirk Session, 1774-1986; Mallaig Kirk Session, 1904-1980
Presbytery of Skye, 1712-1957
Strath Kirk Session, 1886-1917; Bracadale Kirk Session, 1800-1919; Kilmuir Kirk Session, 1851-1923; Duirinish Kirk Session, 1836-1983; Sleat Kirk Session, 1853-1914; Portree Kirk Session, 1854-1900; Hallin-in Waternish Kirk Session, 1849-1973
Synod of the Southern Highlands, 1976-1992 |
| Administrative History | The Church of Scotland is the established church in Scotland, with roots in the 4th century Celtic Church of St Ninian, Whithorn, but current doctrine and organisation dating largely from radical reform by Presbyterians, notably John Knox, since 1560. It is a Protestant and Reformed church, set in the tradition of John Calvin. Its doctrine is Trinitarian, and it accepts the Westminster Confession of Faith as its principal subordinate standard. Church government is Presbyterian, and exercised through a series of courts, from Kirk Sessions at the local level, through Presbyteries, Synods and ultimately, the General Assembly, which meets annually in Edinburgh. This system was initiated by John Knox in the First Book of Discipline, modified and refined by Andrew Melville in the Second Book of Discipline and ratified by Government in the Act of 1592.
Conflict between Episcopalians and Presbyterians prevailed in the seventeenth century, finally resolved by constitutional change in 1690, which confirmed the Presbyterian church as the Established Church of Scotland. The Episcopal Church in Scotland has been a non-established independent church since that time.
During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the unity of the Church of Scotland was broken by internal unrest and the breakaway of several new Presbyterian churches, most notably the Secession Church in 1733, and the Free Church of Scotland and the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland at the Disruption of 1843. In 1900 the Free Church and the United Presbyterian Church united to form the United Free Church of Scotland; and in 1929 their re-union with the Church of Scotland was effected. Some congregations abstained from the unions of 1900 and 1929, and these remain as independent Presbyterian denominations (principally the Free Church of Scotland; United Free Church of Scotland; Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland; Associated Presbyterian Churches; and Reformed Presbyterians). In 1990, there were 12 Synods, 49 Presbyteries, and 1685 Kirk Sessions in the Church of Scotland. |