The History of the Church in Mackay Country
By Reverend John Mann
Restoration and Reorganisation
Following the re-establishment of Presbyterianism in 1690, it was soon thought that the parish of Durness, which at that time stretched from Skerray to Kylesku was too large for one minister to cover. In fact, in 1638, an agreement had been made between Donald, 1st Lord Reay, and the Bishop of Caithness for the Tongue part of the parish of Durness to be disjoined and become the Parish of Kintail. The plan was shelved, but in 1724, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland split the parish of Durness into three parishes: a much reduced parish of Durness, a parish of Tongue, and a parish of Eddrachillis.
In Eddrachillis, there had been no church building, so one was built south of Scourie. It was originally heather-thatched, but was later slated. (The building still stands, having been converted into a house c.1970.)
In Tongue, there was no need for a new building, since there had been a medieval chapel at Kirkiboll near the House of Tongue, which the chiefs of the Clan Mackay had maintained over the years as their private chapel and burial vault, and, in the 17th century, rebuilt as a place of public worship. It has been repaired and altered over the years, but remains in use as the parish church in Tongue today.
The new parish of Tongue was not, initially, very fortunate in its ministers. The first minister, George Mackay, arrived in 1726, but only lived two years. The second minister, Walter Ross, was inducted in 1730, and ministered for 31 years in Tongue. He was, in the words of the Second Statistical Account, “a man of fine preaching talents, but whose reserved manners and secluded habits were not calculated to gain upon the rough, frank Highlander.”
His nephew, Murdoch Macdonald, who was minister of Durness at this time, kept a private diary, which came to light after his death, and he clearly did not have a high opinion of his uncle and “remarks freely on his worldliness and marked want of hospitality even to the brethren of the Presbytery.” (Morrison). Ross was succeeded by John Mackay, who had been minister of Eddrachillis (not to be confused with John Mackay of Mudale, or any of the other John Mackays in Mackay Country!). He was apparently a good preacher, but “being of a weak and sickly constitution, was unable to labour efficiently in the parish” (2nd Statistical Account), and died six years after coming to Tongue.
“In 1769” (according to the 2nd Statistical Account) he was succeeded by Mr William Mackenzie.” When he arrived, he found the parish
“in a deplorable state of religious ignorance. Scarce could one be found to repeat the Shorter Catechism. There was only one elder within the bounds, and it was impossible to fix on others, bearing the necessary religious character, who could be ordained to this office so as to constitute a session. The sanctity of the Lord’s day was grossly violated by persons forming bargains, going and coming to the house of God. A general apathy to the means of grace was manifest; and several gross practices, the relics of a barbarous age, were common at funerals and festivals. With these evils to contend against, he entered his charge with zeal and energy, and an untiring devotedness to the interests of his flock.”
The 2nd Statistical Account, written, incidentally, by William Mackenzie’s son and successor, Hugh Mackay Mackenzie, goes on to describe how a change eventually came over the parish:
“The people showed all docility in receiving the instructions of their pastor; the house of God was thronged by persons from the most distant corners of the parish; respect and attention were shown to the ordinances and duties of religion; barbarous usages were gradually laid aside, and under his affectionate, glowing, and faithful ministry, there sprang up a race of intelligent Christians . . . .”
Outside Melness Church 1996
Catherine Mackay and Donald Brown - Just leaving the church on their wedding day.
Kindly donated by: Margaret Mackay TF10Q
Church of Scotland, Scourie Kindly donated by: Rhoda Mackay ED14A16
Loch Clash, Kinlochbervie Around 1950 Rhoda and Irwin Mackay with two fishermen in the background
East coast fishermen worked on the west coast for 3 weeks and on one of the Sundays a 'brethren' service was held. This photograph possibly depicts such a Sunday. Rhoda remembers the wonderful singing and the church floor being made of pebbles.
Kindly donated by: Callum McLeod ED33A79