Hamilton, Scotland is land rich in Covenanter history. In Hamilton, some of the first Covenanter congregations were established. In the late 17th century, during “the killing times,” Hamilton was also the location of some of the bloodiest persecution of the faithful Covenanting Presbyterians by Anglicans and representatives of the crown of England. Dalserf is one of the small parish communities that make up Hamilton. Here in 1560 a covenanter church was established on ancient grounds where Pictish Christians or Vikings may have met more than a half a millenia before hand.

A Viking marker, perhaps a thousand years old.

The grave stones reveal the common last names one finds in the small communities in the outskirts of Scotland where generations of families over the course of many centuries have lived and worshiped together.

Dalserf Church is one of the last remaining Covenanter churches standing that made it through the “killing times.” Fifty two members of this congregation are recorded as having become victims of the brutal persecution.

In the churchyard there are several graves of notable characters including Covenanter heroes, William Hamilton and John MacMillan, the “Covenanter of Covenanters” and first minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Inexplicably, the graveyard also includes the remains of “The Persecuting Raploch,” one of the most notorious murderers of the Covenanters in this area. For more than three hundred years certain visitors and church members would honor the memory of this evil man by providing a “Scotch Baptism” when passing by his gravestone (i.e. they would spit on it).