Inverness - Robert Bruce (1622-1624)



Robert Bruce was exiled to Inverness for a second time in 1620 and it was a time of revival. 

'The great success of his ministry at Edinburgh, Inverness and other places whither providence called him, is abundantly known, whilst he was confined at Inverness that poor dark country was marvellously enlightened, many brought in to Christ by his ministry, and a seed sown in these places, which even to this day is not wholly worn out.'

From, 'The Fulfilling of the Scripture, by Robert Fleming, page 366.

Bruce's ministry there appears to have been eminently blessed of God. "June 1700 - The memory of that man of God, Mr Robert Bruce, is sweet to this day in this place (Invemess) He, in the days of King James, was confined to this town, where the Lord blessed his labours to the conversion of many brethren in the town and country about; for multitudes of all ranks would have crossed several ferries every Lord's-day to hear him; yea, they came both from Ross and Sutherland."

From the notes, 'The life of Robert Blair..', by Robert Blair. 

I have many a time heard it observed that Mr Bruce, Mr Dickson, and others, their confinement in the north during the former times of prelacy, was no service done to the prelates: and those gentlemen’s confinement, and that of several ministers since the restoration, was of no small use to interests of liberty and presbytery there; and the good effects of their confinement are not yet at an end, and I hope never shall.

R. Wodrow, History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland (4 vols., Glasgow, 1828-30 (1st edn. 1721-2)), Vol. 2, p. 4. 

In his excellent paper 'Robert Bruce in Inverness' Douglas W B Somerset says that 'A measure of civilisation, however, and the presence of Protestant and even evangelical ministers, is not the same thing as the gospel being received and blessed; and the general testimony is that it was the preaching of Bruce that initiated the widespread acceptance of the gospel in the Highlands.'

Additional Information

Douglas Somerset thinks the meetings were in St Mary's Church which no longer exists. Bigger meetings were outside the church in Chapel Yard, this must be close to or part of the current cemetary.