The Covenanters in the Highlands: Scotland's forgotten religious war

The Covenanters are often overshadowed in Scottish history by tales of Jacobite rebellions, yet their struggle was no less dramatic. Emerging from a conflict over religion and power, they were 17th-century Presbyterians who resisted King Charles I’s attempts to impose Anglican practices. They signed the National Covenant in 1638, sparking decades of turmoil and violence. While their story is usually associated with the Lowlands, there are occasional references to the Highlands in this religious war. But how much of it is fact, and how much is legend?

The Covenanters in the Highlands

Despite some claims, the Covenanters had little direct presence in the Highlands. Their movement was rooted in the south-west Lowlands, where conventicles - illegal open-air Presbyterian services - drew large gatherings. The Highlands, with its clan-based society and strong Catholic and Episcopalian influences, was more aligned with Royalist causes during the mid-17th century.

The most notable Highland connection came during military campaigns. Covenanter forces clashed with Royalist Highlanders led by James Graham, the Marquis of Montrose, in battles like Inverlochy (1645). Montrose’s forces often included Irish Catholic soldiers, which added a sectarian element to the conflict. After the Covenanter victory at Philiphaugh later that year, their forces committed atrocities, slaughtering hundreds of captured Irish women and children near Selkirk. However, these events occurred on the fringes of the Highlands rather than in its heart.

The Highlands also largely escaped the oppressive measures of the "Killing Times" (1660-1688), a period of severe persecution against Covenanters who refused to swear allegiance to Charles II. While the Lowlands saw executions, imprisonments and even torture, there is no evidence of widespread Covenanter martyrdom or cultural impact in the Highlands. Instead, the region was mostly a backdrop for skirmishes between Royalist clans and Covenanter-aligned forces.

It is worth noting that much of what is known about Covenanters comes from Lowland sources with no equivalent narrative from the Highlands. Unlike the well-documented martyrdoms and conventicles in the south, the Highlands offer little archaeological or written evidence of significant Covenanter activity.

Key Takeaways

• The Covenanters were primarily a Lowland movement, with minimal direct involvement in the Highlands.
• Highland connections to the Covenanters stem mostly from military campaigns, such as battles involving Montrose.
• The Highlands avoided the worst of the "Killing Times," where persecution was concentrated in the south-west Lowlands.
• No major Covenanter sites or strongholds exist in the Highlands, with their legacy centred in Lowland Scotland.
• Stories of Covenanter influence in the Highlands often blur fact and legend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who were the Covenanters?

The Covenanters were 17th-century Scottish Presbyterians who resisted the imposition of Anglican practices by signing the National Covenant in 1638. They sought to defend Scotland’s Presbyterian church governance and engaged in a series of wars and uprisings over several decades.

What happened to Covenanters in the Highlands?

There is little evidence of significant Covenanter activity in the Highlands. The region was more aligned with Royalist and Catholic forces during the wars. While some skirmishes occurred, the Covenanters’ main presence and persecution were concentrated in the Lowlands.

While the Covenanters’ story is a rich and complex chapter in Scottish history, their connection to the Highlands is limited. For those intrigued by their legacy, visiting sites like Dunnottar Castle, where Covenanter prisoners were held, or exploring Lowland battlefields and memorials offers a more accurate glimpse into their turbulent past. To explore a different chapter in Highland history, consider learning about the Jacobite rebellions and the Battle of Culloden, where the clans played a central role.