Finlay Macrae, North Uist, Church of Scotland, 1841

Seeking to discover the story of Finlay Macrae’s heresy has been both interesting and frustrating. I have a conclusion, but very little detail as to the journey, and nothing at all on the substance of the heresy which Macrae was alleged to have propounded.

On the other hand, reading a little about life on the edge of Scotland in this period was a fascinating diversion. 

Context 

Finlay Macrae was born in 1792, educated at Kings College, Aberdeen (MA, 1812) and minister of North Uist [map, wiki] from 1818. (History of the Clan Macrae).

In 1841 he preached to the assembled synod of Gleneig. Whatever he said caused some consternation amongst his colleagues. He was accused of heresy and found guilty. 

He appealed to the General Synod meeting in 1841. In the course of the Synod a committee was formed which

  “... having read and considered the [sermon], they were of opinion, that no unsoundness of opinion was chargeable upon Mr Macrae; and, consequently, that his complaint should be sustained, and instructions given to the synod of Glenelg to take no further proceedings in the matter. Agreed to.” (here)

The life of a minister on North Uist

Many of Macrae’s colleagues seem to have disdained his mode of ministry. He was the “tacksman of Griminis” who would receive “the lion’s share of the profit from the seal hunt” (possibly one-third). He also served as Parish-Clerk and as a Justice of the Peace (from 1831). He spent much of his time farming and “drank whisky to excess. All men considered him very imperfectly sanctified.” Nor was he popular with the population:

My curse on the Sheriff

And on the Red-haired Trustee,

Cooper and Finlay,

Contemptuous of the people.   (here)

Macrae had Baleloch farmhouse built (1816-17). It was described as a “well-appointed farmhouse with a bowed porch, standing shoulder into the hill in its own walled enclosure.” and remained the minister’s residence until the 1930s.” It was part of “the Hebridean tradition of agriculturally improving clergymen, who had farmhouses and farms rather than manses and glebes.” (here).