INTO THE ARCHIVE: 'The Men of Ross-shire' were set apart as great orators
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In Dr John Kennedy’s book, published in 1861, titled The Days of the Fathers in Ross-shire, he devotes a chapter to “The Men” of Ross-shire. This is not simply an article on men who hailed from the County of Ross, but rather an exploration of the role played by “The Men”.
These were devoutly religious individuals whose understanding of the Bible, despite most having very basic education, was often seen to be greater than even the ministers who served their parish. Some perceived them as overzealous and fanatical, while others saw them as extremely humble, wise people, with aspects of a seer about their vision of the past and the future.
Dr Kennedy discusses the distinctiveness of their attire, long hair and cloaks, noting: “If their dress seemed peculiar, it was only because it was old-fashioned, even in the Highlands.” They were seemingly unique looking individuals, not through want of appearing distinctive, more likely their beliefs on vanity.
What really set them apart was that they were great orators, often stepping in to take a service when the minister was absent or holding prominent roles at the open-air communions, preaching the gospel in natural amphitheatres scattered around the Highlands. The name applied to them stems from distinguishing between “The Ministers” and the “The Men”.
The Edderton Free Church minutes contains an obituary written in 1889 for one of “The Men”, John Ross alias Callum, a farmer born at Muigh-bhlàraidh near to the Aultnamain Inn, who was the tenant of Rhibreack in Edderton.
“The Session agreed to record the great loss they and the Congregation have sustained through the removal by death of Mr John Ross, one of their number, on the 25th day of December last, in the 89th year of his age.
“Born at Muiblairie in the autumn of the year 1800, he came in the year 1833 to the farm of Rhibreck, which he continued to occupy till his death. About the same time, he came to be prominent among the godly of these days, and some years afterwards, he was ordained to the Eldership. Since the Disruption he was amongst the ablest speakers in Easter Ross on the Friday meetings of “the Men” on Communion occasions, and was always prudent, judicious, and profitable.
“He had a clean logical mind, and his intimate acquaintance with Scripture and deep Christian experience enabled him to speak, upon any question proposed, in a way that very few could do; and while others would give him the highest place, he himself was readiest to take the lowest; for he appeared to grow in humility as he grew in grace.”
Edderton Parish Church was built in 1743. By the time of the Disruption a century later it had fallen into disuse. The congregation of the Free Church were allowed to use the graveyard to worship in initially, and eventually the building itself became Edderton Free Church. John Ross served as an elder there for much of his life and was laid to rest in the graveyard.
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