George Squair, Eddrachillis

There are two main published sources of information concerning the interesting English evangelist and Covenanter, George Squair: one from from Rev John S. Mackay and the other from  Rev Alexander Macrae. They largely cover the same ground. It is stated in the former that Squair became minister of Edderachillis. However, as there was no such parish at that time, if he was indeed ordained by the Presbytery of Caithness, it must have been as assistant to Rev Hew Munro of Durness, with responsibility for the Eddrachillis portion. Mr Macrae said that Mr Squair had no ecclesiastical status. There are no sources given in these works, they being written as popular histories of the region but as there no other known sources that relate to Mr Squair, it must be that both Mackay and Macrae obtained information from unpublished sources such as from the papers of the houses of Reay and Sutherland.

Rev J.S. Mackay wrote in Sutherland and the Reay Country:

Towards the close of Mr. Alexander Munro’s ministry at Durness, Mr. George Squair became minister of Edderachilis and Kinlochbervie. It cannot now be ascertained what provision was made for him in the way of temporalities. After the Reformation, the lairds and great men of the period laid hold of all the Church lands they could get within their power. These and other possessions of the Church were taken by some at an earlier, and by others at a later period. The extensive possessions of the Church in Assynt were not taken possession of by the family there until after the death of the last Episcopal minister, a Mr. Gray. He died shortly before the ordination of Mr. Scobie, the first Presbyterian minister of Assynt after the Revolution Settlement. But whatever the means may have been whereby Mr. Squair was supported, he was appointed as colleague to

Mr. Munro at the time mentioned. He was a man of God, faithful in all that related to his office, and the Lord set His seal very manifestly upon his ministry. Mr. Munro, as noticed before, died in 1643 and so escaped the times of persecution. Not so Mr. Squair. He experienced great hardships and had narrow escapes during that bloody period, that has so stamped prelacy with indelible disgrace. After labouring successfully and in peace for many years in his charge, he was at last pounced upon, and hunted over mountain and glen, because of his faithfulness to Presbyterianism, and to the cause of the covenanted Reformation in Scotland. He was at this time the only Presbyterian minister in the Reay country. Though thus alone, and in the midst of many dangers, he nevertheless resolved on administering the Lord’s Supper to as many of the faithful among his people as would venture on meeting with him. To do so was considered a greater crime than holding conventicles or maintaining field-preachings. He therefore went about it very quietly and cautiously, and took council with a few godly followers as to where and when it should be observed. There are two places in the parish where the people were wont to assemble for this purpose, one in Edderachilis proper, named “Larach nam Bord,” at “Airidh nan Cruithneach,” above Scourie; the other on the march between Oldshoremore and Drumnaguy, in Oldshorebeg, at a spot between Captain Mackay’s house and the rising ground to the north. These places, however, were not considered in the circumstances safe from interruption. They chose, therefore, a more secluded spot in the neighbour- hood of Rhicoinich, at the head of Loch Inchard, and between the little hamlet and Loch Garbad. When the spot was fixed upon, the few with whom he took counsel were enjoined to exercise the greatest prudence in diffusing the information, but to give to such as they might confide in an opportunity of being present. On the Sabbath appointed they assembled to the number of five score. These were the more devout and faithful in all the hamlets of Edderachilis and Kinlochbervie. They approached the place as if by stealth, with feelings greatly agitated, but with hearts rising in earnest supplications that the Lord might grant them His protection and gracious presence. When they came to the place, they found themselves in the centre of a glade overgrown with birchwood, and sheltered by wild and beetling rocks. The pulpit desk was a birch tree, sawn off at a considerable height, and the tables were formed of turf covered with green smooth sod. The service was opened with singing and prayer, and after reading and a short exposition, and again singing, Mr. Squair took for his text the words of Thomas when delivered from his unbelief, “My Lord, and my God.” The whole service was a memorable one. The Lord was the “shield and the exceeding great reward” of His people that day. Not only was there no interruption of the service, but all there felt so much of the Lord’s presence, and their bonds were so loosened, and their fears so dispelled, that all, without a single exception, felt constrained to say with Thomas, ” My Lord, and my God,” and without exception commemorated the dying love of their Redeemer. Many years thereafter, at a communion season in Badcall, Scourie, during the ministry of Mr. Brodie, Mr. Squair’s successor, there was also a time of similar blessing. Addressing one of the oldest and most godly of his elders, Mr. Brodie asked him whether he ever before experienced a more impressive season. “Only once,” said the aged patriarch, “at the memorable communion of Rhicoinich, when Mr. Squair preached with his Bible placed before him on the stump of a tree; and when the five score present — of whom I am the last remaining one — sat down at the Lord’s table, exclaiming “My Lord, and my God.” It was long believed that Obsdale, in the parish of Rosskeen, was the only place in the north in which the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered during the twenty-eight years’ persecution. It will be seen, however, that the parish of Kinlochbervie divides with Rosskeen that honourable distinction ; and it is possible there may be other places which have a right to a similar claim, although the fact may now be buried in oblivion.

Mr. Squair found himself oftentimes hard pressed. His persecutors, whenever they got trace of him, were immediately in pursuit. His followers were thus obliged to seek out all manner of hidden paths to wait upon him, and all manner of secret places wherein he might minister to them the word of life. When pursued on one occasion, and as he was passing the hut of one of his people, with his pursuers close behind, he saw a girl weeding potatoes, — then beginning to be raised in lazy beds (or feannagan) as a garden vegetable. He knew not whether he might trust her to shield him in any way, but he spoke to her, and asked what she was doing. “Weeding potatoes,” she said. “And have you,” he asked, ” while so working, any thoughts about the interests of your soul?” “Yes,” she said, “while weeding the potatoes I am praying the Lord that He may weed the love of sin out of my heart.” “If that be so,” said Mr. Squair, “you will try to conceal me from my pursuers, who are close behind, and try to abstain from falsehood while shielding me.” “Come quickly, then,” she said, “and lie down in the deep furrow between the beds, and let me cover you with the weeds.” This was scarce accomplished, and she set to work again, when the pursuers appeared. They asked her gruffly if she saw Mr. Squair pass that way lately. She said she did see him not long ago come in the direction they themselves came in, and stand where they stood ; and if they were active that they were very likely to apprehend him before long. They set off immediately, exulting over their prey as if already within their grasp. No sooner were they well out of sight than Mr. Squair was liberated from under his hiding of weeds, and, after being refreshed with food, he set off in the opposite direction, and thus escaped in safety. 

He was at last joined by three godly witnesses from the south, who hoped, but in vain, that coming so far north they might for a time escape the fury of the enemy. They first landed in the parish of Lochbroom, and preached here and there as they found opportunity, or a people that could understand them, and passed on through Coigeach and Assynt till they joined Mr. Squair at Edderachilis. On their arrival both he and the faithful among his people became bolder in the service of their Master, and those who were on the alert to arrest him did not feel themselves sufficiently strong to do so. A military party was therefore sent, by orders of the Bishop of Caithness, under command of an officer determined to execute his commission. His instructions were to take Mr. Squair and his companions, alive or dead! He and his friends had no help for it but to flee for protection where they might. The four set off by the passes between Foinne bheinne, Kinlochbervie, and Ben Spionnaidh in Durness. Eluding their pursuers, they passed over the slopes of Ben Hope, and reached the House of Tongue, expecting Lord Reay to afford them shelter and concealment for a season. The Mackay, however, influenced by his uncles, the Mackenzies of Seaforth and Pluscardine, was pledged to the Government, and so could only express his sympathy by not apprehending them. He made a show, indeed, openly of having apprehended them, but, after refreshing them, he secretly ordered them to proceed beyond his bounds. They met with similar treatment from the Mackays of Strathy and Bighouse. Depressed, wearied, and worn out, they now made their way for Ulbster House, the residence of the Sinclairs of Ulbster, a family known to be favourable to the cause of the Covenanters. Here they were kindly received, and concealed for some time in a vault or unused place. The fact, however, of the presence of suspicious parties in the castle began to be whispered about, and Sinclair found that soon he would be unable to shield them from the power of the Bishop. Every possible means for their safety was anxiously discussed. At last Sinclair determined on sending a private and faithful messenger to the Earl of Sutherland, requesting him to receive and shield these wanderers and sufferers for conscience’ sake. The Earl and Countess were in great difficulty about the matter, as they failed in trying to protect their own minister, the Rev. John MacCulloch of Golspie. If, however, Mr. Squair and his companions could be conveyed to Dunrobin in secrecy, their protection as strangers and unknown, and for whom there might be no inquiry in that quarter, was possible. On receiving this reply, Sinclair embraced the opportunity of calm weather and dark nights, and got them conveyed by sea to Dunrobin. He got a boat, manned by the best rowers and most faithful men he could pick out. They rowed all night, and lay hidden during the day in some of the numerous creeks along the coast. They arrived at last at Dunrobin, and delivered up their charge to the Earl of Sutherland. They were kindly received, but somehow the Earl was suspicious that after all they might be spies sent by some of the prelates, or those in authority, to ensnare him and other families suspicious of being favourable to the cause of Presbyterianism. He communicated his fears to the Countess. She said she would soon discover whether or not they were true men. She therefore after dinner requested the strangers to conduct a private prayer-meeting, and an exercise of thankfulness for their preservation so far. During the meeting and throughout all the exercises the Lord’s gracious presence was so manifest, that the suspicions of the Earl, who was present, were completely removed, and he immediately set about providing for the concealment and safety of his guests. There was a cave in Golspie burn, partly, it is said, the work of human hands, which was so completely shaded by trees and close underwood, so out of the ordinary route of people passing, and moreover so dry and roomy, that it was determined to make use of it as their hiding-place. Here they lay concealed for a long time, amply supplied with all things necessary to their possible comfort in such a situation. Nor was there any one engaged in conveying their provisions, or aware of their presence there, found mean enough to make it known. The day of deliverance,, so long prayed for, came at last. The deceptive indulgence granted by James II. would have set them free ; but whether they embraced that or whether it was known to them, is not said. But so soon as they were free, they proceeded to Dunrobin to pour forth their hearts in thankfulness for the protection and all the other kindnesses they received during the time of their trial. They further declared to the Earl and Countess their full persuasion — as they believed from God — that there was not an inch of the land in the county, and in the hands of the Assynt family, and that of the Mackays of Reay, over which they were pursued, and from which they were driven, but would yet be in the possession of the family of Sutherland. This saying of theirs was known all over the country, and handed down through the several generations ; and as said, so it happened. 

Mr. Squair never returned to Kinlochbervie or Edderachilis. Like many others, the great mental strain and bodily sufferings endured told upon his constitution, which was so utterly broken down that he was unable to undertake the duties of his charge. He went and stayed with one of his family. His son is said to have lived and died at Dornoch. A daughter was married to a Mr. Munro from Ross-shire, who rented a farm that is now embraced in the Dunrobin home farm. She was the mother of the godly Mr. George Munro, who was the third minister of Farr after the Presbytery of Tongue was erected, and one highly honoured of God in the work of ingathering of souls to Christ. Mr. Munro’s name, and the date of his induction and death, are to be seen on the back of his pulpit, which still remains in the Farr Church. Mr. Munro was married to a daughter of the Rev. John Mackay of Lairg, who was a near if not the immediate successor of Mr. Squair in the wide district of Durness, Edderachilis, and Tongue.

Rev Gustavas Aird of Creich also claimed George Squair as an ancestor according to the History of the Church in the Highlands by Rev John Mackay.

A few years after Mr Mackay, Alexander Macrae wrote in his parish history Kinlochbervie: Being the story and traditions of a remote Highland parish and its people:

Before his death in 1643, an Englishman, a refugee from the non conformist persecutions of the period, sought refuge in the remote fastnesses of An Ceathramh Garbh. His name was George Squair, a native of Warwickshire. He set himself to learn the Gaelic language, which he so mastered that he was able to preach to the people in their native tongue.
With no ecclesiastical status, and with no salary he did the work of an evangelist in what was then a needy corner.
He lived happily among the people as one of themselves. His haunt, however, was discovered by the authorities, and red coats were sent to find him. When hotly pursued on one occasion he saw a girl weeding potatoes, which were then coming into use in these parts. He asked her what she was doing, and she replied, ” Weeding potatoes.” ” And have you while so engaged any thought about the interests of your soul? ” he asked. ” Yes,” she said. ” While weeding I am praying that the Lord may weed the love of sin out of my heart.” ” If that be so ” he said, ” you will try to conceal me from my persecutors, who are close behind, and, in doing so, tell the truth.” “Come quickly, then,” she said, “and lie down in this deep furrow, and I will hide you with weeds.”
When the soldiers arrived and asked if she had seen Mr. Squair, she said: “Yes, he came the way you’ve come, and stood where you are standing: if you are active you may catch him soon.” They hurried on their way, and when they were well out of sight he rose, singing,
           Ev’n as a bird out of the fowler’s snare
           Escapes away, so is our soul set free.
He married a native of the parish, that same young woman, it may be. A daughter of this marriage married a Mr. Munro, a native of the parish of Rosskeen, who held land near Dunrobin, which is now part of the home farm there. They had a son, George, who became the celebrated minister of Farr from 1754 to 1775, and whose generous hospitality Rob Donn, in his poem on The Presbytery, and in another piece, only one verse of which is extant, has immortalised.
During the period of the covenanting struggle the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper could be observed only with great secrecy by the dispossessed ministers. The blessing attending Mr Squair’s ministry was such that a strong desire was felt by his followers in the parish to have a communion service. The two places at which such services used to be held were Larach-nam-Bord, at Airidh-nan-Cruithneach, above Scourie, and at a point between Oldshoremore and Druim-na-gaoithe. Both places were regarded as too open and prominent for the purpose, and a spot on the riverside between Rhiconich and Loch Gharhad was selected. Word was sent out privately to those who could be trusted, and who were known to be interested. About one hundred met on Sabbath morning. “Those were the more devout and faithful in all the hamlets in Eddrachhillis and Kinlochbervie. They approached the place as if by stealth, with feelings greatly agitated, but with hearts rising in earnest supplications that the Lord might grant them His protection and His gracious presence. When they came to the place they found themselves in the centre of a glade overgrown with birchwood, and sheltered by wild and beetling rocks. The pulpit desk was a birch tree, sawn off at a considerable height, and the tables were formed of turf covered with green, smooth sod.
The service was opened with singing and prayer, and after wading and a short exposition, and again singing, Mr. Squair took for his text the words of Thomas when delivered from his unbelief, “My Lord and my God.” The whole service was a memorable one . . . .
“It was long believed that Obsdale, in the parish of Rosskeen was the only place in the north in which the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered during the twenty eight years persecution. It will be seen, however, that the parish of Kinlochbervie divides with Rosskeen that honourable distinction.”
Mr. Squair was for a long time the only Presbyterian minister in the Reay country. He was eventually joined by three other persecuted ministers, who travelled by Lochbroom and Assynt to Eddrachillis. One might be safe there, but four could not be for long. They resolved on common action. They went to Tongue, where Lord Reay was supposed to be sympathetic, but he dared not show any sympathy. He refreshed them secretly, and sent them on to his kinsman at Bighouse. There they met with similar treatment.
Thence they made their way to Ulbster House where the Sinclairs were supposed to be friendly. There they were kindly received and concealed for a time. The Bishop of Caithness had many sharp and long ears, and Sinclair feared detection. He sent a faithful messenger to the Earl of Sutherland who was known to be sympathetic, asking if he could shield the men. He had not been successful in shielding his own minister, the Rev. John M’Culloch, but he offered the men his protection, if they could be conveyed privately to Dunrobin.
They were kindly received in the dead of night from a boat at the jetty below the castle, but the Earl still feared they might possibly be spies trying to ensnare him. They might be prelatic detectives on the hunt for big game and large fines. After consulting the Duchess on the point, it was resolved to invite the men after supper to conduct a private prayer meeting, the spirit and conduct of which would discover to their hosts whether they were true men or not. During worship all suspicions and fears were banished. The visitors revealed themselves as true men of God, and they were received as the guests of God.

By Golspie Burn there is a cave, dry and commodious, completely concealed from the ordinary passers-by, but well known to local people. There the ministers were hidden, and served from the castle table by the very hands of their host and hostess, till the day of deliverance came. Then they were loud in praise of their protectors. They are said to have prophesied, as a special revelation of God, that all the lands of Assynt and the Reay country, over which they had been pursued, would one day come into the possession of the Sutherland family. The prophesy was fulfilled in due time.

Mr. Squair was so outworn by his toils, privations, and, sufferings that he was never again able to come back to Kinlochbervie.