United Presbyterian Church, Thurso

He also stated that "at a previous period two of the parish ministers in succession were understood to have preached Arminian doctrine, in consequence of which a secession had taken place, the necessity of which the inhabitants much regretted."

The people had previously petitioned the Presbytery to procure them a hearing of one or more probationers, and in particular two who were learning the Gaelic language, a description which applied to Howison, who was in course of time ordained at Howford.

Having gone to the country during the week he returned on Saturday evening, intending to occupy the pulpit on the following day, but he died next morning about ten o'clock.

Sir George Sinclair stated that in 1804, a minister was ordained over that parish whom the magistrates and the principal inhabitants had petitioned for, and that he officiated there for upwards of twenty years with the greatest acceptance.

Dr Scott in his Annals understood that the whole congregation separated from the New Light Synod; but this seems to be a mistake, as Thurso all the while retained its place on the list of Elgin Presbytery.

[1] M'Donald's successor was David Burn, who belonged originally to Potterrow Church, Edinburgh (later Hope Park), a congregation with which the family name had a long and honourable connection.

In 1852, when the Original Secession Synod, of which he was Moderator, decided, by 32 votes to 31, to unite with the Free Church, Thurso congregation at a regular meeting agreed by a majority of one to do the same.

The question of legal rights now passed into the Court of Session, and hence arose the Thurso Case, in which it was declared that the property belonged, according to the title-deeds, to the minority, who stood by the binding obligation of the Covenants.