Thought for the Week: The importance of history
I loved history at school, and now living in Kintyre, I have discovered there is so much history on my doorstep.
Within my parish lies Skipness Castle. It was built in the early 13th century by the Clan MacSween and, for the next three centuries, had numerous fortifications and additions. It was garrisoned with royal troops in 1494 during King James IV of Scotland’s suppression of the isles.
In 1511, the castle was granted to Archibald Campbell, 2nd Earl of Argyll. During the war of the Three Kingdoms in 1646, the castle was besieged by forces under the command of Alasdair MacColla.
By the 17th century, the castle was abandoned. Today it sits tucked away down a single track road but it is worth the visit if you have never been.
In this season of Lent, Christians all over the world are reminded of our humanity, our short time on this earth.
We spend these six weeks looking back at the history of a man called Jesus. He lived in an occupied country; Roman troops were brutal and tasked with keeping the peace.
The people of God living in Israel had a history of retaliation and uprising. The people hoped Jesus had come for this reason, they were shocked when he chose instead to teach a way of peace and allowed those in power to put him to death on a cross.
But death did not win, Jesus rose from the dead and is alive. This is the wonderful mystery of Easter.
Today, Christians who choose to follow the servant king still try to live a life of peace. History is important, let us never forget.
Reverend Lyn Peden, minister of North Kintyre, Church of Scotland.
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