Neil McVicar, Min. of St Cuthbert, Edinburgh

Biographical Summary

Neil M'Vicar, chaplain at Fort William; called 13th Dec. 1706; adm. 1st May 1707. He refused to take the Oath of Abjuration in 1712 ; was Almoner to His Majesty in 1729 ; pres. by Sir James Campbell of Auchinbreck to N. Knapdale in 1746, but declined ; died 29th Jan. 1747, in his 75th year. Being the only minister in Edinburgh who understood Gaelic, he was recommended by the Assembly " to take particular charge of the Highlanders in and about the city who do not understand English," and in this way did a great deal for their improvement and welfare. Opposing the law of Patronage in sympathy with the popular feeling of the time, the settlement of his several colleagues was rendered no easy task ; and to one of them indeed he never gave the smallest countenance or encouragement. During the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745 he strenously supported the constituted authority. After Prince Charles Edward had obtained a victory at Prestonpans and entered Edinburgh triumphantly, M'Vicar preached to a promiscuous and hostile audience, praying earnestly for the reigning monarch as usual, and then referring to the intruding Prince, petitioned the Almighty thus — "In regard to the young man who has recently come among us in search of an earthly crown, may he soon obtain what is far better, a heavenly one." He marr.

(1) July 1705, Lillias, daugh. of Alex. Dunbar, W.S., who died 12th Dec. 1732, in 47th year, and had issue —

• Hugh, min. of Dalziel ;
• Alexander, merchant, Edinburgh ;
• Jean (marr. David Black, min. of Perth) ;
• Marion ;
• Patrick, W.S. apprentice, 1729 ;
• Catherine ;
• Ann;
• Rachel ;
• Archibald;
• Mary

(2) in 1737, Bridget Balfour, sister of James Balfour of Pilrig, who died 23rd Nov. 1764.

SOURCE: Fasti ecclesiae scoticanae: the succession of ministers in the Church of Scotland from the reformation, Vol. I, page 101