The Ten Years' Conflict and the Disruption

Book excerpt: This is a revised reprint of a small booklet first published by Scottish Academic Press in 1993. It deals with the events of the Disruption of 1843, described as the most important event in Scottish history between the Act of Union and the establishment of devolved government. Professor Cheyne sketches the background to the great "walk-out" (from the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland) and traces the development of the struggles between Moderates and Evangelicals, churchmen and politicians, and civil and ecclesiastical courts. He argues that the controversies of 150 years ago have a resonance even today.