ixus2
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Posts: 341
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Post by ixus2 on Feb 2, 2011 10:19:06 GMT 1
Visited this last Thursday. Ixus 2.
Failford Gorge - Peden's Cove
These sandstone steps, in the side of the river Ayr gorge at Failford, are believed to date from the 17th Century when they were cut out to enable Alexander Peden, a famous Conventer to preach to his congregation on the other side of the river Ayr.
Peden was born in the parish of Sorn, Ayrshire in 1626, educated at Glasgow University and, for a time, became a schoolteacher at Tarbolton before becoming the minister of New Luce Church in Galloway in 1660. He was made to leave this post in 1663 due to his refusal to accept the enforced episcopacy and spent the rest of his life preaching to open-air congregations whilst 'on the run' from Government forces.
Even in death he was not left alone, since Government troops exhumed his body from Auchinleck kirkyard and, after intervention by the Earl of Dumfries who was afraid of rioting, buried him, as a mark of disgrace in their eyes, at the foot of the gallows in Cumnock.
Cumnock old graveyard grew up around the spot, rather defeating the object of the soldiers exercise.
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ixus2
New Member
Posts: 341
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Post by ixus2 on Feb 2, 2011 10:25:04 GMT 1
Some of our group climbing up to the top. I kept my feet on the ground. It looked dangerous. The guys who went up had to come down another route . Too steep and slippy Ixus2
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ixus2
New Member
Posts: 341
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Post by ixus2 on Feb 2, 2011 10:31:46 GMT 1
After Pedens Cove we retreated to the Wheatsheaf Inn ,Symington. This is more like it . A meal , Haggis ,Neeps and Totties, whisky and Guinness.
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Post by lindyloo22 on Feb 2, 2011 10:33:00 GMT 1
Really interesting piece of information. Thank you. power tae the people ;D
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Post by Waverley on Feb 2, 2011 11:20:41 GMT 1
A remarkable man was Peden The Prophet as he was known in Covenanting Times. I have been looking through some of my Covenanting stuff in recent weeks with a view to visiting some of their historic sites...most of them are out of the way and I don't know if my legs will be up to scrambling over rocks and boggy moors.
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Post by palaisgirl on Feb 2, 2011 13:20:25 GMT 1
Enjoyed reading that ixus2, not only do you give us photos of the places you visit but the history of it as well, which I find extremely interesting.
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Post by Waverley on Feb 2, 2011 16:35:58 GMT 1
I remember I got involved in an arguement with a guy re Paton...it widnae be like me to get involved in a war of words wid it? Anyway this guy claimed that Paton was a chancer and was never at any of the major Covenanter battles as he was always hiding out in caves and fam houses unlike Richard Cameron who was always in the thick of things. Judge for yourselves... www.cumnock.net/peden.php
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Post by tammccann on Feb 2, 2011 19:25:27 GMT 1
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Post by Waverley on Feb 4, 2011 22:43:20 GMT 1
Funny how things link in. I came home tonight and opened my mail to find the latest newsletter from the Scottish Covenanters Memorial Association. Glancing through it I came across a small mention of Peden and how they are planning a Conventicle to commemorate the 325th Anniversary of his death. The service will be held on Sunday the 6th of March at his grave in Cumnock...I reckon I might just go along dressed in my Covenanter gear.
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