List of Church of Scotland synods and presbyteries
The Church of Scotland has a Presbyterian structure, which means it is organised under a hierarchy of courts. Traditionally there were four levels of courts: the Kirk Session (at congregational level), the Presbytery (at local area level), the Synod (at a regional level) and the General Assembly (the Church's highest court). Synods were abolished in 1993.
It is the presbyteries which have oversight of parishes and pastoral responsibility for parish ministers, and the Kirk Sessions of the individual parishes are subordinated to them. A parish minister is answerable to the Presbytery, not to the Kirk Session.
History and mergers before 2020
Scottish local government was reorganised in 1975, creating a new system of regions and districts to replace the long-standing counties and burghs. The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland also ordered a major reorganisation of presbyteries in the mid-1970s, redrawing presbytery boundaries to make them broadly contiguous with the then-new local government boundaries. An example was the union of the former Presbyteries of Cupar and St Andrews, creating a new Presbytery of St Andrews (which also included the Parishes of Newport-on-Tay, Wormit and Tayport, previously in the Presbytery of Dundee). This new Presbytery's boundaries mirrored the North East Fife District Council.
Following further local government reorganisation in the 1990s (replacing regions and districts with a single-tier system of councils), it was proposed to further considerably reduce the number of Presbyteries (possibly to as few as seven). This proposal was rejected by the General Assembly. However, the synods were abolished in the early 1990s.
The following is a timeline of the mergers that took place before 2020:
In 1638 Argyll was split into Dunoon, Kintyre, Inveraray and Lorn (aka Kilmore) in 1638.
Long Island, covering Lewis to Barra, was severed from Skye in 1724.[1]
Garioch was erected in 1724; most of its parishes were from Dingwall but one was from Lorn.[2]
Abernethy, Argyll, Caithness, Inverness, Lochaber, Lochcarron-Skye, Ross, Sutherland and Uist plus part of Moray then merged to form the new Clèir Eilean ì in 2024.[11]
974 the presbyteries of North Europe, South Europe, and Spain and Portugal merged to become the Presbytery of Europe.
In 1976 the presbyteries of Melrose and Peebles merged to become the Presbytery of Melrose and Peebles.
In 2004 the presbyteries of South Argyll, Dunoon, and Lorn and Mull merged to become the Presbytery of Argyll.
Mergers from 2020 to 2024
From 2020 to 2024 the Church of Scotland engaged in a process of consultations with the aim of reducing the number of presbyteries to around 12.[12][13] The completed mergers went as follows:
On 1 June 2020 the presbyteries of Aberdeen and Shetland merged to form the Presbytery of Aberdeen and Shetland (with Shetland reducing its parishes to one).
On 1 September 2020 the presbyteries of Dumbarton, and Greenock and Paisley (itself a recent merger of Greenock and Paisley presbyteries) merged becoming the Presbytery of Clyde.
On 1 January 2021 the presbyteries of St Andrews, Kirkcaldy, and Dunfermline merged becoming the Presbytery of Fife.
On 1 January 2022:
the presbyteries of West Lothian and of Edinburgh merged to become the Presbytery of Edinburgh and West Lothian.
the presbyteries of Lanark and Hamilton merged to become the Presbytery of the Forth Valley and Clydesdale.
On 1 June 2022 the Presbytery of Falkirk merged into the Presbytery of the Forth Valley and Clydesdale.
On 30 September 2022 the presbyteries of Ardrossan; Irvine and Kilmarnock; Ayr; Wigtown and Stranraer; Annandale and Eskdale; and Dumfries and Kirkcudbright merged to become the Presbytery of the South West.
On 1 January 2023:
the newly formed Presbytery of Perth united the former presbyteries of Angus, Dundee, Dunkeld and Meigle, Perth, and Stirling.
the presbyteries of Lothian; Melrose and Peebles; Duns; and Jedburgh merged becoming the Presbytery of Lothian and Borders.
the presbyteries of Aberdeen and Shetland; Buchan; Gordon; Kincardine and Deeside; Moray; and Orkney merged becoming the Presbytery of the North East and Northern Isles.
On 1 January 2024 a new presbytery covering all of the Highlands and Hebrides (except Lewis) was created: the presbyteries of Argyll, Caithness, Sutherland, Ross, Inverness, Abernethy, Lochaber, Locharron-Skye, and Uist merged into Clèir Eilean ì (the Presbytery of the Island of Iona).
Therefore, the total number of presbyteries now stands at 14.[14] In Scotland there are eleven: the nine marked above by bold type, plus the presbyteries of Lewis and Glasgow which as yet have been unaffected by mergers.
Presbyteries
Presbytery of Edinburgh and West Lothian (merger of West Lothan and Edinburgh)
Presbytery of Lothian and Borders (merger of: Lothian; Melrose and Peebles; Duns; and Jedburgh)
Presbytery of the South West (merger of: Annandale and Eskdale; Dumfries and Kirkcudbright; Wigtown and Stranraer; Ayr; Irvine and Kilmarnock; and Ardrossan)
Presbytery of Clyde (merger of: Greenock and Paisley, and Dumbarton)
Aberdeen: Aberdeen East, A. Ferryhill, A. Gilcomston, A. Greyfriars, A. Holburn, A. Holy Trinity, A. John Knox, A. Mannofield, A. North, A. Old Machar, A. Powis, A. Rosemount, A. Rubislaw, A. Ruthrieston, A. St Clement, A. St Fittick, A. St George in the West Kirk, A. St Nicholas, A. St Ninian, A. South, A. South Church of St Nicholas, A. Spring Garden, A. Union Terrace, A. West, A. Woodside, Banchory-Devenick, Belhelvie, Craigiebuckler, Cults, Drumoak, Durris, Dyce, Fintray, Kinellar, Old Aberdeen
Arbroath: Arbirlot, Arbroath, A. Abbey, A. Inverbrothock, A. Ladyloan, A. Princes Street, A. St Margaret's, Auchmithie, Barry, Carmyllie, Carnoustie, Colliston, Friockheim, Guthrie, Inverkeilor, Kinnell, Lunan
Dundee: Auchterhouse, Broughty Ferry, B. F. Beach, B. F. St Stephen's, Dundee Balgay, D. Barnhill St Margaret's, D. Chapelshade, D. Lochee St Luke's, D. Lochee, D. Maryfield, D. Rosebank, D. St Andrew's, D. St David's, D. St John's, D. St Mark's, D. St Mary's, D. St Matthew's, D. St Paul's, D. Steeple, D. Wallacetown, Inchture & Rossie, Kinnaird, Liff & Benvie, Longforgan, Lundie & Fowlis
Kirkcaldy: Auchterderran, Auchtertool, Buckhaven, Burntisland, Dysart, Kennoway, Kinghorn, Kinglassie, Kirkcaldy, K. Abbotshall, K. Invertiel, K. Pathhead, K. Raith, K. Sinclairtown, K. St James's, Leslie, Lochgelly-St Andrews, Wemyss, West Wemyss
Ayr: Alloway, Annbank, Auchinleck, Ayr, A. North Newton, A. St Leonard's, A. Wallacetown, Barr, Catrine, Coylton, Craigie, Crosshill, Dailly, Dalmellington, Dalrymple, Dundonald, Eaglesham, Fisherton, Galston, Girvan, G. South, Glenbuck, Kirkmichael, Kirkoswald, Loudoun, Ochiltree, Old Cumnock, Waterside & Lethanhill
Dumbarton: Alexandria, Arrochar, Baldernock, Balfron, Buchanan, Cardross, Clydebank Kilbowie, C. St James's, Craigrownie, Dalreoch, Drymen, Dumbarton, D. Knoxland, Duntocher, D. Trinity, Fintry, Garelochhead, Helensburgh, H. West, Kilcreggan, Killearn, Luss, Old Kilpatrick
Falkirk: Banton, Kilsyth
Glasgow: Cadder, Campsie, Carmunnock, Chryston, Condorrat, Cumbernauld, Eastwood, Glasgow Abbotsford, G. Anderston St Martin's, G. Barnhill (Foresthall), G. Barony, G. Barrowfield, G. Bellahouston, G. Blackfriars, G. Bluevale, G. Blythswood, G. Brownfield Chapel, G. Calton, G. Candlish Polmadie, G. Cathcart, G. Dalmarnock, G. Elder Park, G. Gorbals, G. Govan, G. G. St Kiarnan's, G. G. Dean Park, G. G. St Kenneth's, G. Greenhead, G. Hillhead, G. Hogganfield, G. Kelvinhaugh, G. Kelvinside Old, G. Kenmuir, G. Kinning Park West, G. Langside, G. Laurieston, G.. MacLeod, G. Martyrs', G. Maryhill, G. Maxwell, G. Milton, G. Newhall, G. Newlands, G. Oatlands, G. Parkhead, G. Partick, G. Plantation, G. Pollokshaws Auldfield, G. Pollokshields, G. Possilpark, G. Queen's Park, G. Queen's Park High, G. Robertson Memorial, G. St Andrew's, G. St Bernard's, G. St Bride's, G. St Clement's, G. St Columba's, G. St David's, G. St Enoch's, G. St George's, G. St George's-in-the-Fields, G. St James's, G. St John's, G. St Luke's, G. St Mark's, G. St Mary's Partick, G. St Matthew's, G. St Michael's Carntyne, G. St Mungo's, G. St Ninian's, G. St Paul's, G. St Peter's, G. St Stephen's, G. St Thomas', G. St Vincent's, G. Sandyford Henderson Memorial, G. Shawlands, G. Shettleston, G. Springburn, G. Steven Memorial, G. Stockwell, G. Strathbungo, G. Temple, G. The Park, G. Thornliebank, G. Titwood, G. Townhead, G. Tron, G. Whiteinch, G. Yoker, Kirkintilloch, K. St David's, Lenzie, Levern
Greenock: Cumbrae, Erskine, Fairlie St Paul's, Gourock, Greenock Cartsburn, G. East, G. Gaelic, G. Ladyburn, G. Middle, G. North, G. St Paul's, G. South, G. West, Inverkip, Kilmacolm, Langbank, Largs
Hamilton: Airdrie Flowerhill, A. New Monkland, A. West, Avendale, Baillieston, Bargeddie, Bellshill, Blantyre, Bothwell, Calderbank, Calderhead, Cambuslang, C. West, Cambusnethan, Carfin, Chapelton, Cleland, Coats, Craigneuk, Dalserf, Dalziel, D. St Mary's, D. South, East Kilbride, Gartsherrie, Garturk, Glasford, Greengairs, Hamilton, H. Auchingramont, H. Burnbank, H. Cadzow, H. St John's, Holytown, Larkhall, Old Monkland, Overtown, Quarter, Uddingston, Wishaw
Irvine: Ardrossan, Beith, Crosshouse, Dalry, Darvel, Dreghorn, Dunlop, Fenwick, Fergushill, Irvine, Kilbirnie, Kilmarnock High, K. Laigh, K. St Andrew's, Kilmaurs, Kilwinning, West Kilbride
Edinburgh: Addiewell, Currie, Duddingston, East Calder, Edinburgh Abbey, E. Buccleuch, E. Canongate, E. Colinton, E. Corstorphine, E. Craiglockhart, E. Cramond, E. Dean, E. Gaelic Chapel, E. Gilmerton, E. Granton, E. Greenside, E. Greyfriars, E. Juniper Green, E. Lady Glenorchy's, E. Lady Yester's, E. Leith St John's, E. L. St Paul's, E. L. St Thomas's, E. Liberton, E. Mayfield, E. Morningside, E. New Greyfriars, E. New Street, E. Newington, E. North Leith, E. Old Greyfriars, E. Old, E. Portobello, E. Prestonfield, E. Restalrig, E. Robertson Memorial, E. Roxburgh Place, E. St Aidan's, E.St Andrew's, E. St Bernard's, E. St Columba's Blackhall, E. St Cuthbert's, E. St David's Viewforth, E. St George's, E. St Giles's, E. St John's, E. St Leonard's, E. St Luke's, E. St Margaret's, E. St Mark's, E. St Mary's, E. St Matthew's, E. St Michael's, E. St Paul's, E. St Stephen's, E. South Leith, E. Tolbooth, E. Trinity, E. Tron, E. West Coates, E. West St Giles (New North), Kirknewton, West Calder
Haddington: Aberlady, Athelstaneford, Bolton, Cockenzie & Port Seton, Dirleton, Garvald & Bara, Gladsmuir, Gullane St Andrew's, Haddington, H. St John's, Humbie, Innerwick, Yester
Linlithgow: Abercorn, Bathgate High, Blackbraes, Bo'ness, Carriden, Dalmeny, Ecclesmachan, Falkirk, F. Camelon, F. Grahamston, F. St Modan's, Fauldhouse, Grangemouth, G. Old, Kingscavil, Kirkliston, Larbert, Linlithgow, Livingston, Queensferry, Uphall, Whitburn, Winchburgh
Inverness: Daviot & Dunlichity, Dores, Erchless, Inverness, I. East, I. St Mary's, I. St Stephen's, I. West, Kiltarlity, Kirkhill, Moy-Dalarossie, Petty
Aberdeen: Aberdeen East, A. Ferryhill, A. Gilcomston, A. Greyfriars, A. Holburn, A. Holy Trinity, A. John Knox, A. Mannofield, A. North, A. Old Machar, A. Powis, A. Rosemount, A. Rubislaw, A. Ruthrieston, A. St Clement, A. St Fittick, A. St George in the West Kirk, A. St Nicholas, A. St Ninian, A. South, A. South Church of St Nicholas, A. Spring Garden, A. Union Terrace, A. West, A. Woodside, Banchory-Devenick, Belhelvie, Craigiebuckler, Cults, Drumoak, Durris, Dyce, Fintray, Kinellar, Old Aberdeen
Arbroath: Arbirlot, Arbroath, A. Abbey, A. Inverbrothock, A. Ladyloan, A. Princes Street, A. St Margaret's, Auchmithie, Barry, Carmyllie, Carnoustie, Colliston, Friockheim, Guthrie, Inverkeilor, Kinnell, Lunan
Dundee: Auchterhouse, Broughty Ferry, B. F. Beach, B. F. St Stephen's, Dundee Balgay, D. Barnhill St Margaret's, D. Chapelshade, D. Lochee St Luke's, D. Lochee, D. Maryfield, D. Rosebank, D. St Andrew's, D. St David's, D. St John's, D. St Mark's, D. St Mary's, D. St Matthew's, D. St Paul's, D. Steeple, D. Wallacetown, Inchture & Rossie, Kinnaird, Liff & Benvie, Longforgan, Lundie & Fowlis
Kirkcaldy: Auchterderran, Auchtertool, Buckhaven, Burntisland, Dysart, Kennoway, Kinghorn, Kinglassie, Kirkcaldy, K. Abbotshall, K. Invertiel, K. Pathhead, K. Raith, K. Sinclairtown, K. St James's, Leslie, Lochgelly-St Andrews, Wemyss, West Wemyss
Greenock: Cumbrae, Erskine, Fairlie St Paul's, Gourock, Greenock Cartsburn, G. East, G. Gaelic, G. Ladyburn, G. Middle, G. North, G. St Paul's, G. South, G. West, Inverkip, Kilmacolm, Langbank, Largs
Hamilton: Airdrie Flowerhill, A. New Monkland, A. West, Avendale, Baillieston, Bargeddie, Bellshill, Blantyre, Bothwell, Calderbank, Calderhead, Cambuslang, C. West, Cambusnethan, Carfin, Chapelton, Cleland, Coats, Craigneuk, Dalserf, Dalziel, D. St Mary's, D. South, East Kilbride, Gartsherrie, Garturk, Glasford, Greengairs, Hamilton, H. Auchingramont, H. Burnbank, H. Cadzow, H. St John's, Holytown, Larkhall, Old Monkland, Overtown, Quarter, Uddingston, Wishaw
Irvine: Ardrossan, Beith, Crosshouse, Dalry, Darvel, Dreghorn, Dunlop, Fenwick, Fergushill, Irvine, Kilbirnie, Kilmarnock High, K. Laigh, K. St Andrew's, Kilmaurs, Kilwinning, West Kilbride