In the 17th Century many people in Scotland opposed interference by the Stuart Kings in the affairs of the Presbyterian Church. They refused to accept the King as head of the church, insisting that only Jesus Christ was head of the Presbyterian Church.

And in 1638 the National Covenant was signed, thus beginning the group we now know as The Covenanters.

Ministers who supported the National Covenant were ousted from their churches, which were put under the charge of Episcopal curates. Many continued to preach at ‘conventicles’ - gatherings for worship held out in the open air, in barns, in private houses.

There was, over the years, great persecution of Covenanters: imprisonment, transportation, and death were common.

In this region stand many memorials, preaching and communion stones, which mark our history, and remind us of the blood shed and the loyalty given.

By the faith of these Kirk folk, the Presbyterian Church remains independent of government and continues to hold Jesus Christ as head of the Church.

Locally, we have graves of martyrs in Glencairn Kirkyard; a preaching stone at Breconside; stones which mark the place where local Covenanters were killed; and in Moniaive itself a monument to the memory of Jams Renwick who was the last Covenanter to be hanged in Edinburgh.

With the market cross, the George Hotel, and Caitloch cave we have a most interesting part of the history of our Church and faith.

Read about these ordinary men, women an children who were brave enough and faithful enough to stand for what they believed.  Theirs is an intriguing story, a story that is repeated in many other parts of  Scotland.

                       Renwick Monument   on outskirts of Monaive Village.

Communion Stone at Breconside - inscribed with the name James Renwick

Smith Stone - in a field near the Old Free Church

Ingleston Stone

Glencairn Kirkyard - site of Martyrs' Graves - where some of those killed in open land, are now laid; with inscribed stones which tell their story.

- the places Glencairn and Dunscore congregations, with many friends, have worshipped over the years,  remembering those who gave so much to maintain the Presbyterian forms of worship and government.

28th July 1996 - Skeoch Hill (Irongray)

where in July 1678 more thnan 5000 Covenanters gathered to hear

Revs John Welsh (Irongray), John Blackaddder (Troqueer), Samuel Arnot (Tongland)

and John Dickson (Rutherglen) - all 'outlaws under sentence of banishment or death.

A monument is surrounded by 'communion stones' where the Sacrament was shared.

24th August 1997 - James Renwick Monument (Moniaive)

Born in Moniaive, James Renwick began his public ministry

in 1683 at Moss of Darmead, Cambusnethan Parish.

For just over 4 years during the 'Killing Times' Renwick stood firm

and the pressure to have him apprehended grew.

The Cowgate, Edinburgh was the place

of his arrest - the captain of the guard,

on seeing the youthful 26 year old, is recorded as saying:

Is this boy Mr Renwick that the nation hath been so much troubled with?'

He was taken to the gallows in Edinburgh Feb 17th 1688,

and is interred at Greyfriars', Edinburgh.

16th August 1998 - Smith Stone (Moniaive)

William Smith, a lad of 18, was neither a great preacher, nor a leader of the Covennaters.

Smith was a young boy who remained loyal to his faith even when confronted, and on threat of death did not turn for his belief. The stone marks the place he was killed - it is not a remarkable stone - not easily seen, nor found! Just as the ordinary folk today need not have high position to be true to God.

Smith was originally buried beneath the threshold of his family's farmhouse.

He was not allowed a Christian burial. However he was later interred at Tynron Kirkyard.

25th July 1999 - Allan's Cairn (Tynron)

Commemorates George Allan and Margaret Gracie.

This monument was built in 1857

in place of the cairn which had marked the graves.

A few miles south west is Altry Hill,

a splendid natural depression in the landscape

which was perfect for gatherings.

Grierson of Lag made a habit of searching out this location

each time he was near; and one day he came upon a conventicle.

Allan and Gracie were pursued, and when they did not swear

the Oath of Allegiance to the king,

were shot and left face down on the open moor.

Later their friends returned and buried them

at the top of the hill - Allan's Cairn.

3rd September 2000 - Glencairn Kirkyard

16th September 2001 -Tynron Kirkyard                                                                        

1st September 2002 - Ingleston Mains (Moniaive)

Five friends - Robert Grierson, Robert Edgar,

John Gibson, James Bennoch, and Robert Mitchell,

were arrested and taken to Ingleston Mains Farm,

where they were herded into a walled enclosure.

After a swift trial they were deemed to be deserving of death

and were shot where they stood.

Friends took Robert Grierson back to his home area of Balmaclellan,

the others were buried at Glencairn.

31st August 2003 - Dalgarnoc (Thornhill)

We gathered, folks from the parishes of Durisdeer, Closeburn. Thornhill, Tynron, Keir, Penpont, Dunscore, Glencairn & Moniaive; andfriends from near and far at the Nithsdale Cross  which bears the names of 57 martyrs.

6th June 2004  - Lochenkit (Larghill, Urr Parish)

Eight men discovered at this spot - four were shot, four were arrested -

of whom two were hanged at Hallhill (Irongray)

and two deported to the West Indies.

SIx were martyred,

the other two had their futures altered by pesecution,

yet retained lives strong through faith.

The four who wre shot were:

William Heron, John Gordon,

William Stewart and John Wallace.

Edward Gordon and Alexander McCubbiin were hanged at Hallhill.

Robert Grierson and his un-named companion were taken from their families.

4th September 2005 -Brockhillstone Farm, Dunscore

30 gathered beneath the 6 oak trees  - so close to Lag Tower, you could imagine the fear and courage of Covenanters living here, let alone worshipping.