LETTERS

St Ninian

AS a one-time resident of Whithorn manse, I remember that we were always ready to welcome the shades of victorious King Robert, coming to return thanks (as he did) to the Priory named for Columba’s predecessor, St Ninian. Manses and priories move on, but Bruce Street, King’s Road – and a visitor centre: these remain!

Angus W Morrison (Rev), Port Ellen, Isle of Islay

Royal Weddings

Royal weddings will soon be very good news stories for all in 2018. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are to tie the knot on May 19 and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in the autumn.

On November 28 2017, The Times speculated on which dukedom H M the Queen would gift to Prince Henry. The dukedom of Albany was mentioned. A later piece in The Times placed Jack as a distant relative of James I. The author failed to note the House of Windsor’s descent from James through his daughter, Elizabeth and her daughter, Sophia.

My ancestors include an Earl of Orkney (Robert Stewart (1533-1593), one of many natural uncles of James VI & I. Robert, son of James V was grandson of James IV, Margaret Tudor and Lord Elphinstone.

The 1st Duke of Albany was another Robert Stewart (1340 to 1420), younger brother of King Robert III. He was Regent for James I (of Scots), a prisoner in London, 1406-1424. His son, Murdoch was 2nd Duke but all his honours were forfeit before his execution in Stirling, along with his sons. His daughter, Isabella married Sir Walter, 12th Laird of Buchanan.

Late Dukes of Albany include: Alexander (son of James II). His son became the Duke in 1505. Then came two Arthurs, sons of James IV and James V. Both lived very briel y. Henry Darnley was Duke from July 1565 to his murder in February 1567. King Charles I had been Duke of Albany. Bonnie Prince Charlie, the Young Pretender, selfstyled himself Count of Albany.

Edward Augustus, son of George II, became Duke of York and Albany. Victoria’s 8th, Leopold George Duncan Albert, was the Duke to be succeeded posthumously bh his son, Leopold Edward George Albert, who supported the Kaiser in the Great War. His English titles were removed on March 28 1919. Since then the Dukedom of Albany has been ‘suspended’. Nearly 100 years on, its resurrection would be timely and appropriate.

J Michael Buchanan, London

Cartoon: Bill McArthur

’God is Goodness’

Jeff and George are identical twins. Jeff goes to church: George doesn’t. Both believe in goodness and try to practise it. Both are scientists, seekers after truth. Both regard the Earth as not only beautiful but also dangerous from its inception. Both have concluded that if there is a God, He does not (or since the resurrection no longer does) intervene directly in matters of health and physical safety. Both, therefore, disdain prayers asking for miracles in these matters although they understand that in extremis people will make such prayers.

Jeff believes that God always strengthens good wills wherever they occur; and He decides whether a will is good or not. George finds his will improves if he thinks about goodness. Jeff does not believe in asking God to strengthen other people’s good wills because He does that anyway: He is not a sleeping giant and should not be treated as such.

Jeff realises that if he wants George to come to church he, Jeff, must do his utmost to have prayers of intercession fixed. They should be prayers of thanksgiving.

No one can tell George and Jeff apart. This is not because they are identical twins: it is because God is Goodness. Ian Ramsay, Arbirlot, Arbroath

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This article appears in the April 2018 Issue of Life and Work

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