List of Church of Scotland synods and presbyteries
Last updated
The Church of Scotland has a Presbyterian structure, which means it is organised under a hierarchy of courts. Traditionally there were four levels of courts: the Kirk Session (at congregational level), the Presbytery (at local area level), the Synod (at a regional level) and the General Assembly (the Church's highest court). Synods were abolished in 1993.[1]
It is the presbyteries which have oversight of parishes and pastoral responsibility for parish ministers, and the Kirk Sessions of the individual parishes are subordinated to them. A parish minister is answerable to the Presbytery, not to the Kirk Session.
History and mergers before 2020
The original Presbyteries of the Church of Scotland were created in April 1581, about 20 years after the Reformation in Scotland and the establishment of the Church of Scotland. In 1581, the original 600 parishes were grouped together into about 50 presbyteries, 13 of which were erected immediately: Edinburgh, St Andrews, Dundee, Perth, Stirling, Glasgow, Ayr, Irvine, Haddington, Dunbar, Chirnside, Linlithgow and Dunfermline.[2]
Scottish local government was reorganised in 1975, creating a new system of regions and districts to replace the long-standing counties and burghs. The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland also ordered a major reorganisation of presbyteries in the mid-1970s, redrawing presbytery boundaries to make them broadly contiguous with the then-new local government boundaries. An example was the union of the former Presbyteries of Cupar and St Andrews, creating a new Presbytery of St Andrews (which also included the Parishes of Newport-on-Tay, Wormit and Tayport, previously in the Presbytery of Dundee). This new Presbytery's boundaries mirrored the North East Fife District Council.
Following further local government reorganisation in the 1990s (replacing regions and districts with a single-tier system of councils), it was proposed to further considerably reduce the number of Presbyteries (possibly to as few as seven). This proposal was rejected by the General Assembly. However, the synods were abolished in 1993.
The following is a timeline of the mergers that took place before 2020:
From 1581 - 1700
In 1590, the original Presbytery of Paisley and Dumbarton was split into the presbyteries of Paisley and of Dumbarton.[3]
In 1597, a new Presbytery ofEllon was disjoined from Aberdeen.[4]
In 1609, a new Presbytery of Kelso was disjoined from parts of Duns and Jedburgh.[4]
In 1611, Forfar was disjoined from Meigle, Dundee, Brechin and Arbroath.[4]
In 1924, Abertarff was renamed Lochaber and some parishes moved to Inverness.
In 1929, Lerwick, Burrovoe and Olnafirth presbyteries united to form Shetland.[3] (thus reflecting the original 1581 boundaries).
In 1929, Dunfermline and Kinross united as the Presbytery of Dunfermline and Kinross.[14]
In 1929, the original Linlithgow presbytery was split into Bathgate and Linlithgow and Falkirk.[5]
In 1929, Biggar and Lanark were united as Lanark.[14]
In 1929, Dumfries and Penpont were united as the Presbytery of Dumfries.[5]
In 1929, Lochmaben and Annan were united as the Presbytery of Annandale.[5]
In 1929, Langholm was subsumed into a new Presbytery of Hawick.[4]
In 1929, Irvine was split into the presbyteries of Irvine and Kilmarnock and Ardrossan.[5]
In 1929, Haddington and Dunbar were united as the Presbytery of Haddington & Dunbar.[4]
In 1929, Duns and Chirnside were united as the Presbytery of Duns.[4]
In 1929, Jedburgh was divided. Part of it united with Kelso to form Jedburgh & Kelso, and part united with Langholm to form Hawick.[4]
In 1929, Earlston and Selkrik were united as the Presbytery of Melrose.[4]
In 1929, Dunkeld and Weem were (re)united as Dunkeld.[4]
In 1929, Stirling and Dunblane were united as Stirling & Dunblane.[4]
In 1929, Brechin and Fordoun were united as Brechin & Fordoun.[4]
In 1929, Nairn was merged into Inverness.
In 1929, Ellon and Aberdeen merged to (again) form the Presbytery of Aberdeen.[4]
Dornoch and Tongue united to form Sutherland in 1961.[10]
In 1961, Forfar, Arbroath, Brechin & Fordoun were united as the Presbytery of Angus & Mearns.[4]
Lorn and Mull reunited to form Lorn & Mull in 1963.[9]
In 1963, Dumfries and Kirkcudbright united to form Dumfries and Kirkcudbright.[5]
In 1964, Bathgate was renamed Livingston and Bathgate.[5]
In 1972, Jedburgh & Kelso and Hawick united as the Presbytery of Jedburgh.[4]
In 1974 the presbyteries of North Europe, South Europe, and Spain and Portugal merged to become the Presbytery of Europe.
in 1976, Livingston and Bathgate was renamed West Lothian, with some charges moved to Falkirk.[5]
In 1976, Linlithgow and Falkirk was renamed Falkirk, with some charges moved to West Lothian.[5]
Inveraray, Islay and Kintyre united to form South Argyll in 1976.[13]
Lochcarron and Skye united to form Lochcarron-Skye in 1976.[7]
In 1976, Dunkeld and Meigle united as the Presbytery of Dunkeld and Meigle.[4]
In 1976 Melrose and Peebles merged to become the Presbytery of Melrose and Peebles.[4]
In 1976, Perth and Auchterarder were united as the Presbytery of Perth.[4]
In 1976, Angus & Mearns was renamed the Presbytery of Angus, with part disjoined to the Presbytery of Kincardine and Deeside.[4]
In 1976, the Presbytery of Dunfermline and Kinross was renamed as Dunfermline (with six charges moving to the Presbytery of Perth).[14]
In 1976, the Presbyteries of Cupar and St Andrews were united as the Presbytery of St Andrews.[14]
In 1976, Dalkeith and Haddington & Dunbar united as the Presbytery of Lothian.[4]
In 1976, Deer and Turriff were united as the Presbytery of Buchan.
In 1976, Elgin, and Strathbogie& Fordyce merged to form Moray.[15][4]
In 1977, Stirling & Dunblane was renamed the Presbytery of Stirling.[4]
In 1978, Annandale was renamed Annandale and Eskdale.[5]
In 1981, Chanonry, Dingwall and Tain united to form Ross.
2000 - 2020
In 2003, Paisley and Greenock presbyteries were united (again) as Greenock and Paisley.[3]
South Argyll, Lorn & Mull, and Dunoon united in 2004 to form Argyll.
In 2012 the parishes of South Uist and Barra moved to Argyll.[16]
Mergers from 2020 to 2024, and current presbyteries
From 2020 to 2024 the Church of Scotland engaged in a process of consultations with the aim of reducing the number of presbyteries to around 12.[17][18] The completed mergers went as follows:
On 1 June 2020 the presbyteries of Aberdeen and Shetland merged to form the Presbytery of Aberdeen and Shetland (with Shetland merging all of its parishes to one).[4]
On 1 September 2020 the presbyteries of Dumbarton, and Greenock and Paisley (itself a merger in 2003 of Greenock and Paisley presbyteries) merged becoming the Presbytery of Clyde. This reflects the original 1581 roots (at the time called Paisley and Dumbarton).[3]
On 1 January 2021 the presbyteries of St Andrews, Kirkcaldy, and Dunfermline merged becoming the Presbytery of Fife.
During 2021, the western part of Moray was transferred to Inverness presbytery.[4]
On 1 January 2022:
the presbyteries of West Lothian and of Edinburgh merged to become the Presbytery of Edinburgh and West Lothian.
the presbyteries of Lanark and Hamilton merged to become the Presbytery of the Forth Valley and Clydesdale.
On 1 June 2022 the Presbytery of Falkirk merged into the Presbytery of the Forth Valley and Clydesdale.
On 30 September 2022 the presbyteries of Ardrossan; Irvine and Kilmarnock; Ayr; Wigtown and Stranraer; Annandale and Eskdale; and Dumfries and Kirkcudbright merged to become the Presbytery of the South West.
On 1 January 2023:
the newly formed Presbytery of Perth united the former presbyteries of Angus, Dundee, Dunkeld and Meigle, Perth, and Stirling.
the presbyteries of Lothian; Melrose and Peebles; Duns; and Jedburgh merged becoming the Presbytery of Lothian and Borders.
the presbyteries of Aberdeen and Shetland; Buchan; Gordon; Kincardine and Deeside; Moray; and Orkney merged becoming the Presbytery of the North East and Northern Isles.
On 1 January 2024 a new presbytery covering all of the Highlands and Hebrides (except Lewis) was created: the presbyteries of Argyll, Caithness, Sutherland, Ross, Inverness, Abernethy,Lochaber, Locharron-Skye, and Uist merged into Clèir Eilean ì (the Presbytery of the Island of Iona).
Therefore, the total number of presbyteries now stands at 14.[19] In Scotland there are eleven: the nine marked above by bold type, plus the presbyteries of Lewis and Glasgow which as yet have been unaffected by mergers.
Aberdeen: Aberdeen East, A. Ferryhill, A. Gilcomston, A. Greyfriars, A. Holburn, A. Holy Trinity, A. John Knox, A. Mannofield, A. North, A. Old Machar, A. Powis, A. Rosemount, A. Rubislaw, A. Ruthrieston, A. St Clement, A. St Fittick, A. St George in the West Kirk, A. St Nicholas, A. St Ninian, A. South, A. South Church of St Nicholas, A. Spring Garden, A. Union Terrace, A. West, A. Woodside, Banchory-Devenick, Belhelvie, Craigiebuckler, Cults, Drumoak, Durris, Dyce, Fintray, Kinellar, Old Aberdeen
Arbroath: Arbirlot, Arbroath, A. Abbey, A. Inverbrothock, A. Ladyloan, A. Princes Street, A. St Margaret's, Auchmithie, Barry, Carmyllie, Carnoustie, Colliston, Friockheim, Guthrie, Inverkeilor, Kinnell, Lunan
Dundee: Auchterhouse, Broughty Ferry, B. F. Beach, B. F. St Stephen's, Dundee Balgay, D. Barnhill St Margaret's, D. Chapelshade, D. Lochee St Luke's, D. Lochee, D. Maryfield, D. Rosebank, D. St Andrew's, D. St David's, D. St John's, D. St Mark's, D. St Mary's, D. St Matthew's, D. St Paul's, D. Steeple, D. Wallacetown, Inchture & Rossie, Kinnaird, Liff & Benvie, Longforgan, Lundie & Fowlis
Kirkcaldy: Auchterderran, Auchtertool, Buckhaven, Burntisland, Dysart, Kennoway, Kinghorn, Kinglassie, Kirkcaldy, K. Abbotshall, K. Invertiel, K. Pathhead, K. Raith, K. Sinclairtown, K. St James's, Leslie, Lochgelly-St Andrews, Wemyss, West Wemyss
Ayr: Alloway, Annbank, Auchinleck, Ayr, A. North Newton, A. St Leonard's, A. Wallacetown, Barr, Catrine, Coylton, Craigie, Crosshill, Dailly, Dalmellington, Dalrymple, Dundonald, Eaglesham, Fisherton, Galston, Girvan, G. South, Glenbuck, Kirkmichael, Kirkoswald, Loudoun, Ochiltree, Old Cumnock, Waterside & Lethanhill
Dumbarton: Alexandria, Arrochar, Baldernock, Balfron, Buchanan, Cardross, Clydebank Kilbowie, C. St James's, Craigrownie, Dalreoch, Drymen, Dumbarton, D. Knoxland, Duntocher, D. Trinity, Fintry, Garelochhead, Helensburgh, H. West, Kilcreggan, Killearn, Luss, Old Kilpatrick
Falkirk: Banton, Kilsyth
Glasgow: Cadder, Campsie, Carmunnock, Chryston, Condorrat, Cumbernauld, Eastwood, Glasgow Abbotsford, G. Anderston St Martin's, G. Barnhill (Foresthall), G. Barony, G. Barrowfield, G. Bellahouston, G. Blackfriars, G. Bluevale, G. Blythswood, G. Brownfield Chapel, G. Calton, G. Candlish Polmadie, G. Cathcart, G. Dalmarnock, G. Elder Park, G. Gorbals, G. Govan, G. G. St Kiarnan's, G. G. Dean Park, G. G. St Kenneth's, G. Greenhead, G. Hillhead, G. Hogganfield, G. Kelvinhaugh, G. Kelvinside Old, G. Kenmuir, G. Kinning Park West, G. Langside, G. Laurieston, G.. MacLeod, G. Martyrs', G. Maryhill, G. Maxwell, G. Milton, G. Newhall, G. Newlands, G. Oatlands, G. Parkhead, G. Partick, G. Plantation, G. Pollokshaws Auldfield, G. Pollokshields, G. Possilpark, G. Queen's Park, G. Queen's Park High, G. Robertson Memorial, G. St Andrew's, G. St Bernard's, G. St Bride's, G. St Clement's, G. St Columba's, G. St David's, G. St Enoch's, G. St George's, G. St George's-in-the-Fields, G. St James's, G. St John's, G. St Luke's, G. St Mark's, G. St Mary's Partick, G. St Matthew's, G. St Michael's Carntyne, G. St Mungo's, G. St Ninian's, G. St Paul's, G. St Peter's, G. St Stephen's, G. St Thomas', G. St Vincent's, G. Sandyford Henderson Memorial, G. Shawlands, G. Shettleston, G. Springburn, G. Steven Memorial, G. Stockwell, G. Strathbungo, G. Temple, G. The Park, G. Thornliebank, G. Titwood, G. Townhead, G. Tron, G. Whiteinch, G. Yoker, Kirkintilloch, K. St David's, Lenzie, Levern
Greenock: Cumbrae, Erskine, Fairlie St Paul's, Gourock, Greenock Cartsburn, G. East, G. Gaelic, G. Ladyburn, G. Middle, G. North, G. St Paul's, G. South, G. West, Inverkip, Kilmacolm, Langbank, Largs
Hamilton: Airdrie Flowerhill, A. New Monkland, A. West, Avendale, Baillieston, Bargeddie, Bellshill, Blantyre, Bothwell, Calderbank, Calderhead, Cambuslang, C. West, Cambusnethan, Carfin, Chapelton, Cleland, Coats, Craigneuk, Dalserf, Dalziel, D. St Mary's, D. South, East Kilbride, Gartsherrie, Garturk, Glasford, Greengairs, Hamilton, H. Auchingramont, H. Burnbank, H. Cadzow, H. St John's, Holytown, Larkhall, Old Monkland, Overtown, Quarter, Uddingston, Wishaw
Irvine: Ardrossan, Beith, Crosshouse, Dalry, Darvel, Dreghorn, Dunlop, Fenwick, Fergushill, Irvine, Kilbirnie, Kilmarnock High, K. Laigh, K. St Andrew's, Kilmaurs, Kilwinning, West Kilbride
Edinburgh: Addiewell, Currie, Duddingston, East Calder, Edinburgh Abbey, E. Buccleuch, E. Canongate, E. Colinton, E. Corstorphine, E. Craiglockhart, E. Cramond, E. Dean, E. Gaelic Chapel, E. Gilmerton, E. Granton, E. Greenside, E. Greyfriars, E. Juniper Green, E. Lady Glenorchy's, E. Lady Yester's, E. Leith St John's, E. L. St Paul's, E. L. St Thomas's, E. Liberton, E. Mayfield, E. Morningside, E. New Greyfriars, E. New Street, E. Newington, E. North Leith, E. Old Greyfriars, E. Old, E. Portobello, E. Prestonfield, E. Restalrig, E. Robertson Memorial, E. Roxburgh Place, E. St Aidan's, E.St Andrew's, E. St Bernard's, E. St Columba's Blackhall, E. St Cuthbert's, E. St David's Viewforth, E. St George's, E. St Giles's, E. St John's, E. St Leonard's, E. St Luke's, E. St Margaret's, E. St Mark's, E. St Mary's, E. St Matthew's, E. St Michael's, E. St Paul's, E. St Stephen's, E. South Leith, E. Tolbooth, E. Trinity, E. Tron, E. West Coates, E. West St Giles (New North), Kirknewton, West Calder
Haddington: Aberlady, Athelstaneford, Bolton, Cockenzie & Port Seton, Dirleton, Garvald & Bara, Gladsmuir, Gullane St Andrew's, Haddington, H. St John's, Humbie, Innerwick, Yester
Linlithgow: Abercorn, Bathgate High, Blackbraes, Bo'ness, Carriden, Dalmeny, Ecclesmachan, Falkirk, F. Camelon, F. Grahamston, F. St Modan's, Fauldhouse, Grangemouth, G. Old, Kingscavil, Kirkliston, Larbert, Linlithgow, Livingston, Queensferry, Uphall, Whitburn, Winchburgh
Inverness: Daviot & Dunlichity, Dores, Erchless, Inverness, I. East, I. St Mary's, I. St Stephen's, I. West, Kiltarlity, Kirkhill, Moy-Dalarossie, Petty
Synods, presbyteries and parishes before the merger of 1929
From the Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae. Quoad sacra parishes are not included; it may be assumed in general that they belonged to the same presbytery as the parish from which they were disjoined. Where this was not the case, the quoad sacra parish is included below. Transfers that took place after 1750 are also noted.
Synod of Aberdeen
Aberdeen: Banchory Devenick, Belhelvie, Drumoak, Durris, Dyce, East, Fintray, Greyfriars, Kinellar, Maryculter, New Machar, Newhills, Nigg, North, Peterculter, St Clement's, St Machar's, St Nicholas', Skene, South
Dundee(southern Forfarshire and far eastern Perthshire): Abernyte, Auchterhouse, St Clement's, St David's, St John's, St Mary's, St Paul's, Inchture, Kinnaird, Liff & Benvie, Longforgan, Lundie, Mains & Strathmartine, Monifieth, Monikie, Murroes, Tealing
Fordoun(southern and central Kincardineshire): Arbuthnott, Benholme, Bervie, Dunnottar, Fettercairn, Fetteresso, Fordoun, Garvock, Glenbervie, Kinneff & Catterline, Laurencekirk, Marykirk, St Cyrus
Abertarff(northern Argyllshire and southern Inverness-shire): Ardgour (q.s.), Arisaig (q.s.) (in Mull until 1920), Ballachulish (q.s.), Fort Augustus (q.s.), Glengarry (q.s.), Kilmallie, Kilmonivaig, Strontian (q.s.)
Kinross(created 1856, taking Cleish, Kinross and Orwell from Dunfermline, Fossoway and Muckhart from Auchterarder, Arngask from Perth, and Ballingry and Portmoak from Kirkcaldy): Arngask, Ballingry, Cleish, Fossoway, Kinross, Muckhart, Orwell, Portmoak
Stranraer(western Wigtownshire, plus two parishes from Ayrshire): Ballantrae, Colmonell, Inch, Kirkcolm, Kirkmaiden, Leswalt, New Luce, Old Luce, Portpatrick, Stoneykirk, Stranraer
Wigtown(eastern Wigtownshire and western Kirkcudbrightshire): Glasserton, Kirkcowan, Kirkinner, Kirkmabreck, Mochrum, Monigaff, Penninghame, Sorbie, Whithorn, Wigtown
Dunbarton(Dunbartonshire and western Stirlingshire): Arrochar, Baldernock, Balfron, Bonhill, Buchanan, Cardross, Drymen, Dunbarton, Fintry, Killearn, Kilmaronock, Luss, New Kilpatrick, Old Kilpatrick, Rosneath, Row, Strathblane, Strathfillan (q.s.) (in Weem until 1900)
Glasgow(north-western Lanarkshire, plus two parishes from Stirlingshire, two from Dunbartonshire and one from Renfrewshire): Barony, Blackfriars, Cadder, Calton, Campsie, Carmunnock, Cathcart, Cumbernauld, Eaglesham, Gorbals, Govan, Kilsyth, Kirkintilloch, Maryhill, Rutherglen, St Andrew's, St David's, St Enoch's, St George's, St James's, St John's, St Mungo's, St Paul's, Shettleston, Springburn, Tron
Greenock(north-western Renfrewshire, plus two parishes from Ayrshire) (all in Paisley until 1834 except Cumbrae and Largs, which were in Irvine): Cumbrae, East, Erskine, Inverkip, Kilmacolm, Middle, Largs, Port Glasgow, West
Hamilton(central Lanarkshire): Avendale, Blantyre, Bothwell, Cambuslang, Cambusnethan, Dalserf, Dalziel, East Kilbride, Glasford, Hamilton, New Monkland, Old Monkland, Shotts, Stonehouse
Biggar(eastern Lanarkshire, plus two parishes from Peeblesshire): Biggar, Broughton Glenholm & Kilbucho, Coulter, Covington, Dolphinton, Dunsyre (in Lanark until 1765), Lamington & Wandel, Libberton, Skirling, Symington, Walston
Dalkeith(eastern Edinburghshire, plus one parish from Haddingtonshire): Borthwick, Carrington, Cockpen, Cranstoun, Crichton, Dalkeith, Fala & Soutra, Glencorse, Heriot, Inveresk, Lasswade, Newbattle, Newton, Ormiston, Penicuik, Temple
Dunbar(eastern Haddingtonshire, plus one parish from Berwickshire): Cockburnspath, Dunbar, Innerwick, Oldhamstocks, Prestonkirk, Spott, Stenton, Whitekirk & Tyninghame, Whittingehame
Edinburgh(western Edinburghshire): Canongate, Colinton, Corstorphine, Cramond, Currie, Duddingston, Greenside, Kirknewton, Lady Yester's, Liberton, Mid Calder (in Linlithgow until 1884), New Greyfriars, North Leith, Old Greyfriars, Ratho, St Andrew's, St Cuthbert's, St George's, St Giles', St John's, St Mary's, St Stephen's, South Leith, Trinity, Tron, West Calder (in Linlithgow until 1884), West St Giles'
Earlston(western Berwickshire, plus one parish from Edinburghshire and one from Roxburghshire): Channelkirk, Earlston, Gordon, Lauder, Legerwood, Mertoun, Smailholm, Stow, Westruther
Kelso(eastern Roxburghshire, plus one and a half parishes from Berwickshire): Ednam, Kelso, Linton, Makerstoun, Morebattle, Nenthorn, Roxburgh, Sprouston, Stichill & Hume, Yetholm
Selkirk(Selkirkshire and north-western Roxburghshire): Ashkirk, Bowden, Caddonfoot(q.s), Ettrick & Buccleuch, Galashiels, Kirkhope, Lilliesleaf, Maxton, Melrose, Roberton, St Boswells, Selkirk, Yarrow
Perth: Aberdalgie, Abernethy, Collace, Dron, Dunbarney, Errol, Forgandenny, Forteviot, Kilspindie, Kinfauns, Kinnoull, Logiealmond (q.s.), Methven, Moneydie (in Dunkeld until 1758), Redgorton, Rhynd, St John's, St Madoes, St Mark's, St Martins, St Paul's, Scone, Stanley (q.s.), Tibbermore
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