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