大象传媒

3/7
In 2010 we mark the 450th anniversary of the Reformation, an event which left an indelible legacy in Scottish society. In this major seven part series, Billy Kay tells the story of the great ecclesiastical traditions which have shaped the history of Christianity in this country.

In the third programme, The Faithful Remnant, we explore the history of Episcopalianism since the Reformation, and in particular its association with the Jacobite cause in the Risings of 1715 and 1745. It is ironic that a church often referred to erroneously as the English Church, was a target for the Duke of Cumberland's forces after Culloden, who burned Episcopal chapels to the ground on their road south. The Episcopal tradition was particularly strong in the North and North East of Scotland and we visit churches in Strathnairn, Aberdeen and Cruden Bay to hear stories of how they survived the persecution of the Jacobite era, yet retained a strong local Piskie identity - in the North East much of this was expressed in a vigorous Scots vernacular tradition which we celebrate in the work of Bishop John Skinner, a correspondent of Burns and author of the poem Tullochgorum. In the 19th century we will hear of its closer links to the Anglican tradition, but also its successes in the slums of Dundee. We also hear how the Jacobite spirit in the church survives and one contributor, Allan Macinnes points out that the historic Episcopalian heartland coincides with the SNP political heartland today!

Among those taking part are Professor Allan Macinnes of Strathclyde University, Gerald Stranraer Mull author of "A Church for Scotland" , former Primus and Bishop of Brechin, Ted Luscombe, Gavin Sprott , Marna Cruikshank from Cruden Bay and Canon Emsley Nimmo of St Margaret's Aberdeen.

For a majority of Scots, knowledge of other churches can be scant and based on stereotypes. This series reveals the deep historic roots of all of the major denominations in Scotland and explores their relevance to the future of the country.

An Odyssey Production for Radio Scotland.