Having been admitted to that charge, subsequent to 1649, M'Gilligen came under the Act of 1662 which required that he should anew seek presentation from his patron and collation from the Bishop of the diocese, or be ejected.

He was, moreover, deposed by the Bishop of Ross from the office of the holy ministry, on 31 May 1663,[5] which farcical act (Dickson says) M'Gilligen treated with contempt.

Leaving Fodderty, he went to Alness and dwelt in his own private house, from whence he made itineraries for the purpose of holding conventicles.

Still M'Gilligen continued to preach; and, even on one occasion, in September, 1675, dispensed the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper in the house of the Lady Dowager of Fowlis at Obsdale.

[10] After lying for some time in the tolbooth of Fortrose, he was, by an act of the Privy Council, 11 October 1676, ordered to be transported via Nairn till he reached Edinburgh, where he was to be imprisoned.

Then the Privy Council — being informed that he had "relapsed into his former guilt in keeping conventicles, disorderly baptisms, and marriages, to the endangering of the peace of the country where he lives " - instituted new proceedings against him.

[12] Here he remained until 27 July 1686, when a dangerous illness, which threatened to prove fatal, necessitated his being set at liberty.

Respecting the command of their divine redeemer more than they feared the fury of the oppressor they met here on a Sabbath in September 1675.

And as a stimulus and encouragement to all who would fain be followers of that which is good.Three generations of the Mackilligen family have been written about in the historical fiction novel Across the Deep.