The Scottish Reformation of 1560 - A Nation Transformed

The year 1560 stands as one of the most decisive turning points in the history of Scotland. On 17 August 1560, the Scottish Parliament met in Edinburgh and enacted legislation that formally ended the authority of the Pope in Scotland and established Protestantism as the national religion. This moment was the culmination of decades of unrest, debate, and determination, and it would permanently reshape the nation’s spiritual, cultural, and political identity.

Background to the Reformation

For centuries, Scotland, like much of Europe, was under the religious authority of the Roman Catholic Church. Worship was conducted in Latin, access to Scripture was limited, and spiritual life was tied to ritual and sacrament controlled by the clergy. While faith was central to everyday life, the corruption and excesses of the medieval Church had long been a point of concern for reformers.

By the early 16th century, new ideas were spreading rapidly. The invention of the printing press allowed the writings of Martin Luther, John Calvin, and other continental reformers to reach Scottish shores. The call for a return to the authority of Scripture and for the right of every believer to read God’s Word in their own tongue resonated with many.

Reformers in Scotland such as Patrick Hamilton, who was martyred in 1528, and later George Wishart, gave their lives to proclaim the Gospel message of salvation by faith in Christ alone. Their deaths, however, only stirred the cause further. Among Wishart’s students was John Knox, who would rise to become the leading figure of the Scottish Reformation.

The Crisis of 1560

The years leading up to 1560 were marked by political tension as much as religious debate. The alliance between Scotland and France, sealed through the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots, to the French Dauphin, meant the Catholic influence of France loomed large. Yet the “Lords of the Congregation” who were a group of Protestant nobles began to organise resistance and declared themselves for the Reformed faith.

Conflict broke out across the land, with towns and churches becoming focal points of struggle. In this charged atmosphere, the English crown under Elizabeth I provided crucial support to the Protestant cause, countering French influence in Scotland.

By the summer of 1560, the balance had tipped. The death of Mary of Guise, the Queen Regent, removed a major obstacle to reform. With the French garrisons weakened, the Scottish Parliament was free to legislate on matters of religion without foreign interference.

17 August 1560 - The Birth of a Protestant Nation

When Parliament convened in Edinburgh, the decision was made that would forever alter the spiritual direction of Scotland. The authority of the Pope was abolished, the celebration of the Catholic Mass was forbidden, and the Scots Confession of Faith was adopted as the doctrinal standard of the nation.

The Scots Confession, drafted in just four days by John Knox and five other ministers, laid out the beliefs of the Reformed Kirk. It emphasised the authority of Scripture, the centrality of Christ’s saving work, and salvation through grace by faith which remain at the heart of Protestant teaching.

In place of ritual and hierarchy, the Kirk was to be a church of preaching, teaching, and community worship. The people of Scotland were no longer dependent on priests and Latin liturgies but were encouraged to hear, read, and understand the Bible for themselves.

Legacy of the Reformation

The events of 17 August 1560 were not merely a change of doctrine. They shaped Scotland’s society for generations to come. The emphasis on Scripture and education laid the foundations for Scotland’s renowned school and university system. The belief in the priesthood of all believers fostered a sense of equality and accountability that influenced Scottish civic life and politics.

The Scottish Reformation was not without struggle. It divided communities, brought challenges for monarchs who followed, and sparked ongoing debates about worship, governance, and faith. Yet the legacy of 1560 remains: Scotland had joined the great movement of the Reformation that swept through Europe, and in doing so, secured a heritage of faith, freedom, and resilience.

Why It Matters Today

For members of the Loyal Orange Institution and for Protestants across the world, the Scottish Reformation is not simply a historical event. It represents courage, conviction, and the triumph of faith over opposition. The stand taken in 1560 echoes the values of Faith, Hope, and Charity which are the same values upheld by our Institution today.

As we look back on this anniversary, we remember not only the laws passed in Parliament but the countless men and women whose faith, sacrifice, and vision made them possible. Their legacy calls us to cherish our freedoms, to live boldly for our faith, and to ensure that future generations continue to know the truth of God’s Word.