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A Comparative Study of the Responses of Three Highland Communities to the Disruption in the Church of Scotland in 1843 Thesis
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Dineley, Margaret Anne (2005). A Comparative Study of the Responses of Three Highland Communities to the Disruption in the Church of Scotland in 1843. PhD thesis The Open University.
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A Comparative Study of the Responses of Three Highland Communities to the Disruption in the Church of Scotland in 1843.
Margaret Anne Dincley B. A., M. A.
Thesis Submitted to the Open University in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Sponsoring Establishment - U11I Millennium Institute.
30thSeptember 2003 - Revisions May 2005.
10-16 2,4-5 ýL', -T- -r ý5 SýMCC(i QATS of, SkbrýýSýaý, '. 2aýý (2ff Ev ABSTRACT.
This study, positioned within the historiography of the Disruption, is responding to a
recognisedneed for pursuing local studies in the searchfor explanationsfor reactionsto the
Disruption. Accepting the value of comparison and contextualisation and assuming a case
study approach,it has selectedthree particular Highland communitiesin order to discoverhow
they actually responded to the Disruption and why. Contrasting responsesto the event
furnished the determinant for selection, the parish being the elected geographicaldimension In since the relationship to a specific church and minister can be readily determined. the in attempt to discover why reactions differed the exploration of the dynamics of life each level community, the multiplicity, complexity and interplay between factors operating at this broad to elicit specific responses,should likewise point to the varying applicability of
generalisationsin local contexts.
To contextualisethe thesis, the rationale for the study is precededby an exploration into the
historiography of the Disruption. A description of the local scenario around the time of the
event ensues, followed by chapters presenting evidence concerning the environment
experienced by parishioners, acknowledging the comparative aspect. The socio-economic
background covers such information as population distribution, occupational profiles and
domestic milieu and the cultural milieu absorbs elements such as education, language,
perceived behavioural characteristics,customs and beliefs. The religious scene incorporates The material on history, physical settings for worship and bodies or individuals of influence.
noteworthy themesof spirituality, revivals and ministers and their kinship networks are then factors given specific consideration. The study concludes with a summary of the web of contributing to responsesto the Disruption in the three parishesand a systematiccomparison
of the applicability therein of the various hypothesesoutlined in the introduction. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
I owe a debt of gratitude to a numberof individuals and bodies. Firstly, I want to mention the
UHI Millennium Institute, without whose generoussponsorship I would not have beenable to pursuemy research.Secondly, I wish to expressmy grateful thanks to my Director of Studies,
Dr. Robert Stradling, for his untiring support, advice and encouragement.Thirdly, I name in gratitude the other two membersof my supervisory team, Dr. Henry Sefton, whose valuable commentson the religious backgroundhave h