Craigview House, Usan Road, Usan by Montrose, Angus

Image: © Adrian Diack Taken: 1 Jul 2023

Historic Environment Scotland record Craigview House as a B Listed Building which was built as a Free Church Manse in 1843. Craigview House was previously known as Free Church Cottage (1851 Census records) and Craig Cottage (1861 Census records) and it was first shown on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map (surveyed 1861-62, published 1864). The 18th May 1843 was a particularly significant date for the Church of Scotland because of the Disruption which took place at the General Assembly in Edinburgh. On the day of the Disruption, Rev. Dr. Welsh led a group of dissenting ministers out of the General Assembly and these included Rev. James Brewster D.D., who walked out, arm in arm, with his elder brother Sir David Brewster. By the act of separation and deed of demission, Rev. Brewster resigned Craig Parish Church, the manse at Kirkton of Craig and his stipend in an exchange for spiritual independence but an uncertain future. While the new Free Church of Scotland manse and church were being erected, he lived at Craig View House and he often preached in a tent or in a barn such as at Seaton of Usan.

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0