Religion and politics in 18th century Scotland

‘Driven by beliefs akin to those that inspired the Pilgrim Fathers and the US Constitution, [Buchanan and Loudon] become adventurous and intrepid travellers in Europe and India.’ € This is a quote from the Kindle description of The Claudians: gardens, landscapes, reason and faith: John Claudius Loudon and Claudius Buchanan by Tom Turner, (Kindle, 2024). 

More about Scottish religion and politics

In 18th century Scotland, religion and politics were deeply intertwined. Both had a strong influence on the lives of two cousins born in Cambuslang: Claudius Buchanan and John Claudius Loudon. They were born in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, and moved to London in their twenties.

‘The Kirk’ (the Scottish Presbyterian Church) had a central role in both the spiritual and political life of Scotland. It was rooted in Calvinist theology and governed by a system of presbyteries. Each presbytery had ministers and elders from local parishes. They were considered equals, reflecting the Presbyterian emphasis on shared authority rather than hierarchical rule by bishops. The Kirk maintained social order and promoted moral discipline. Calvinist principles influenced the development on Whig politics.

Political events such as the Jacobite uprisings of 1715 and 1745 complicated the religious landscape. The Jacobites, who sought to restore the Catholic Stuart monarchy, were opposed by the Kirk and the Hanoverian government, both of which supported Protestantism and the union with England.