Bishop of Dunkeld

The Bishop of Dunkeld is the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Dunkeld, one of the largest and more important of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics, whose first recorded bishop is an early 12th-century cleric named Cormac. However, the first known abbot dates to the 10th century, and it is often assumed that in Scotland in the period before the 12th century, the roles of both bishop and abbot were one and the same. The Bishopric of Dunkeld ceased to exist as a Catholic institution after the Scottish Reformation but continued as a royal institution into the 17th century. The diocese was restored (with a different boundary) by Pope Leo XIII on 4 March 1878; it is now based in the city of Dundee.

List of known abbots

Dunkeld Abbey was an offshoot of Iona, perhaps founded in the early 9th century, in the reign of Caustantín mac Fergusa, King of the Picts. It is not clear when its abbots got independence from the Abbots of Iona, but a notable event is the alleged transfer of the relics of Columba to Dunkeld during the reign of the Scoto-Pictish king Cináed mac Ailpín. Its abbots, like many Gaelic abbots of the period, took a strong role in secular affairs, hence the term "lay abbot". The following is a list of known abbots of Dunkeld; the list is not exhaustive.

Tenure	Incumbent	Notes
d. 865	Túathal of Dunkeld	The Annals of Ulster, s.a. 865.6, records his obit and writes "Tuathal m. Artgusso prim-epscop Fortrenn & abbas Duin Caillenn", that is, "Túathal son of Artgus, chief bishop of Fortriu and Abbot of Dunkeld [dies]".
d. 873	Flaithbertach of Dunkeld	The Annals of Ulster, s.a. 873.8, records his obit and writes "Flaithbertach m. Muirchertaigh, princeps Duin Chaillden, obiit", that is, "Flaithbertach son of Muirchertach, superior of Dún Caillen, died".
d. 965	Dúnchad of Dunkeld	Dúnchad was killed along with Dubdon, Mormaer of Atholl in the battle of dorsum Crup, fought between king Dub and king Cuilén.
d. 1045	Crínán of Dunkeld	Progenitor of the Dunkeld Dynasty, who ruled Scotland for more than two centuries.
fl. 1097	Ethelred of Scotland	Son of king Máel Coluim III.

While it is true that medieval churchmen took an active part in secular affairs (some fought in battles), that didn't make them in any sense "lay." They were still consecrated bishops or abbots. A "lay abbot" was the secular lord of the abbey's lands. Since an abbey's property was often extensive, it was lucrative plum. Medieval monarchs enjoyed considerable authority over the church, and doubtless, these positions were awarded to royal favorites.

List of known pre-Reformation bishops

The Bishopric of Dunkeld was one of the largest in medieval Scotland. However, in 1200, half of its territory was used to create the new Bishopric of Argyll.

Tenure (an "x" between two years indicates a range of possible starting or ending dates)	Incumbent	Notes
fl. x 1114-1131 x	Cormac of Dunkeld
fl. 1138-1139	John of Atholl	Not directly called "Bishop of Dunkeld", just a "bishop from Atholl" who went on mission to Orkney.
fl. x 1147-1169	Gregoir of Dunkeld
1170-1178	Richard of Dunkeld
1178 (elect)	Walter de Bidun	Never consecrated. Never took possession of see.
1178-1203	John Scotus
1203-1210	Richard de Prebenda
1211-1214	John de Leicester
1214-1229 x 1230	Hugh de Sigillo
1229 x 1230 (elect)	Matthew the Scot
1229 x 1230-1236	Gilbert of Dunkeld
1236-1249	Geoffrey de Liberatione
1250-1272	Richard de Inverkeithing
1273-1277 x 1282	Robert de Stuteville
1282 x 1283	Hugh de Stirling	Died at Rome pursuing his election.
1283-1285 x 1288	William the Dean
1288-1309	Matthew de Crambeth
1309-1311 (elect)	John de Leche	Elect; nominee of King Edward II of England; his election was disputed, and he never actually took possession of his see.
1309-1337	William Sinclair
1337 x 1338-1338 x 1342 (elect)	Maol Choluim de Innerpeffray	A canon from Strathearn; his election was challenged by Richard de Pilmore; conflict was resolved at the Papal court, where the Pope found in Richard's favour.
1337 x 1338-1345 x 1347	Richard de Pilmuir
1347 x 1348 (elect)	Robert de Den	He was the Archdeacon of Dunkeld, and was elected to the see; however, the Pope was already in the process of appointing a bishop to the vacant see.
1347-1354	Donnchadh de Strathearn
1355-1369	John Luce
1370 x 1371 (elect)	John de Carrick	Probably failed to obtain consecration.
1370-1377	Michael de Monymusk
1377 x 1378	Andrew Umfray	Had been dean of Dunkeld and precentor; he died at the Papal court.
1378-1390	John de Peebles
1391-1395 x 1398	Robert Sinclair	Translated from Bishopric of Orkney.
1396-1437	Robert de Cardeny
1437 x 1440	Domhnall MacNeachdainn	He was the Dean of Dunkeld; he died in Continental Europe on his way to be consecrated by the Pope.
1437-1440	James Kennedy	Translated to the Bishopric of St. Andrews in April 1440.
1440 (elect)	Alexander Lauder	He was nominated to the see in May 1440, confirmed the following month, but died in October that year before his consecration.
1440-1460 (titular)	Thomas Livingston	He was the nomination of the Anti-Pope Felix V; he was probably confirmed by Pope Nicholas V, however he never gained possession of the see. He died sometime before 10 July 1460.
1441-1447	James Bruce	Appointed Bishop of Glasgow in 1447, but died the same year.
1447 (elect)	William Turnbull	Was elected in March 1447 after the death of Bishop James Bruce; however, he obtained the Bishopric of Glasgow in November that year before being consecrated to Dunkeld.
1447-1451 x 1452	John de Ralston
1452-1475	Thomas Lauder	Former Master of the hospital at Soutra Aisle.
1475-1483	James Livingston	Dean of Dunkeld who succeeded Bishop Thomas Lauder.
1483-1485 (elect)	Alexander Inglis	Was elected but failed to ensure confirmation by the Pope.
1483-1515	George Brown
1515-1516 (elect)	Andrew Stewart	Brother of the Earl of Atholl. The Pope refused his nomination to the Bishopric, but did appoint him to the Bishopric of Caithness at Dornoch.
1515-1522	Gavin Douglas	Forfeited December 1521, and fled to England.
1524-1526	Robert Cockburn	Previously Bishop of Ross.
1526-1544	George Crichton
1544-1549	John Hamilton	Previously Abbot of Paisley. Got promoted to the Archbishopric of St Andrews.
1549-1553 x 1554	Donald Campbell
1543/1554-1571	Robert Crichton	Claimed to have been coadjutor to Bishop George Crichton since 1543.

List of Schism anti-bishops

Tenure	Incumbent	Notes
cons. 1379	Robert de Derling	Anti-Bishop of the Western Schism. Consecrated by Peter, Bishop of Citta Nuova, in October 1379 on order of Pope Urban VI, in opposition to John de Peblys, supporter of the Avignon Pope. Never took possession of see.
bp. 1379	Nicholas Duffield	English abbot (of Pershore); was the nomination of the Pope against the candidate of the Avignon Pope during the Western Schism. Never took possession of see.

List of post-Reformation bishops

Church of Scotland succession

In 1560 the Church of Scotland broke its ties with Rome.

Tenure	Incumbent	Notes
1571-x 1584	James Paton
1584–1585	Robert Crichton
1585–1607	Peter Rollock
1607	James Nicolson
1607–1638	Alexander Lindsay
1638–1662	Episcopacy briefly abolished
1662–1665	George Haliburton
1665–1676	Henry Guthrie
1677–1679	William Lindsay
1679–1686	Andrew Bruce
1686–1689	John Hamilton	Deprived of the temporalities in 1689 when episcopacy was permanently abolished in the Church of Scotland following the Glorious Revolution.
Sources:

Scottish Episcopal Church succession

Tenure	Incumbent	Notes
1689–1690	John Hamilton	Formerly Church of Scotland bishop, continued as an Episcopalian until his death in 1690
1690–1731	See vacant
1731–1743	Thomas Rattray	Consecrated a college bishop in 1727; also Primus 1738-43; died 22 August 1768
1743–1776	John Alexander	Also administered the See of Dunblane 1743–1774; died in office.
1776–1786	Charles Rose	Also Bishop of Dunblane 1774–1791; died in office.
1786–1792	See vacant
1792–1808	Jonathan Watson
1808–1837	Patrick Torry	Consecrated as Bishop of Dunkeld and Dunblane; became Bishop of Fife, Dunkeld and Dunblane in 1837, and subsequently Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane in 1844.
The Scottish Episcopal see became part of the Diocese of Fife, Dunkeld and Dunblane in 1837, which was renamed the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane in 1844.
Sources:

Roman Catholic succession

The Bishop of Dunkeld is the Ordinary of the Catholic Diocese of Dunkeld in the Province of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh. The diocese covers an area of 9,505 km². The see is in the City of Dundee where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew. The post Reformation diocese was restored by Pope Leo XIII on 4 March 1878. The Right Reverend Stephen Robson is the 9th bishop of the diocese since its restoration.

(Any dates appearing in italics indicate de facto continuation of office. The start date of tenure below is the date of appointment or succession. Where known, the date of installation and ordination as bishop are listed in the notes together with the post held prior to appointment.)

Tenure	Incumbent	Notes
22 March 1878 to 18 January 1887	George Rigg	Priest; ordained 26 May 1878; died in office
14 August 1890 to 30 August 1900	James Smith	Priest; ordained 28 October 1890; appointed Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh
21 February 1901 to 24 September 1912	Angus MacFarlane	Priest; ordained 1 May 1901; died in office
24 September 1912 to 14 May 1913	sede vacante
14 May 1913 to 28 March 1914	Robert Fraser	Priest; ordained 25 May 1913; Died in office
28 March 1914 to 8 September 1914	sede vacante
8 September 1914 to 31 May 1949	John Toner	Priest; ordained 15 October 1914; died in office
31 May 1949 to 23 May 1955	James Scanlan	Coadjutor Bishop of Dunkeld; appointed Bishop of Motherwell
27 May 1955 to 26 January 1981	William Hart	Priest; ordained 21 September 1955; retired
26 January 1981 to 30 June 2012	Vincent Logan	Priest; ordained 26 February 1981; retired
30 June 2012 to 9 January 2014	sede vacante
9 January 2014 to 28 December 2022	Stephen Robson	Auxiliary Bishop of St Andrews & Edinburgh
28 December 2022 to 2 February 2024	sede vacante
2 February 2024 to 10 April 2024 (elect)	Martin Chambers	Priest; died before episcopal consecration and installation.
10 April 2024 to present	sede vacante
Sources:

See also

• Anglican Diocese of Saint Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane

References

• Broun, Dauvit, "Dunkeld and the origin of Scottish identity", in Innes Review 48 (1997), pp. 112–124, reprinted in Spes Scotorum: Hope of Scots, eds. Broun and Clancy (1999), pp. 95–111.
• Dowden, John, The Bishops of Scotland, ed. J. Maitland Thomson, (Glasgow, 1912)
• Hudson, Benjamin T., "Kings and Church in Early Scotland", in The Scottish Historical Review', Vol. 73, (October, 1994), pp. 145–70
• Watt, D.E.R., Fasti Ecclesiae Scotinanae Medii Aevi ad annum 1638, 2nd Draft, (St Andrews, 1969)
• Keith, Robert, An Historical Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops, Edinburgh, 1824, pp. 99,100

External links

• Annals of Ulster
  • Translation
• Dauvit Broun's list of 12th century Scottish Bishops