The Scottish College

20/07/2026

Welcoming the Revd Margaret Higton

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, 18 July, family, friends, fellow students, the Synod Moderator, Principal and Tutors of The Scottish College, and members of congregations in the National Synod of Scotland joined with Giffnock URC to welcome, ordain and induct Margaret Higton to be their minister in a joyous service of Worship. Read more here: https://www.scottishcollege.org/news/article/welcoming-the-revd-margaret-higton

Photo by the Revd David Coleman: the Revd Margaret Higton closes worship with the blessing.

19/06/2026

On Friday, 12 June, 2026, Friends of the College, Trustees, staff and students gathered at Augustine United Church, with others joining the live stream online, in worship and celebration to bring the academic year 2025/26 to a close, and to wish farewell to our final year students. The Revd Fiona Bennett welcomed all to the church, the Revd Dr John McNeil Scott, Principal, welcomed on behalf of the college, and invited the Revd John Bremner to accompany the hymns chosen on the digital organ, kindly donated to Augustine United Church by Hamilton United Reformed Church. Mr Bremner preached, with a moment of reflection on the sermon given by the Principal. Miss Myra Rose, Chair of Trustees, presented Leaving Certificates to Margaret Higton and Eilidh Young. Students took part in prayers and readings, with Margaret and Eilidh closing the worship with The Benediction.

To read more of this article, please visit our website news:
https://www.scottishcollege.org/news/article/valedictory-service-2026

02/06/2026

As the academic year 2025/26 draws to a close, we will be celebrating the year and with those who are leaving us at our Valedictory Service on Friday, 12th June, 2026 at 7 pm at Augustine United Church, Edinburgh - all are welcome - contact info @ scottishcollege.org to help with numbers or request to join online. To add to the excitement, and look towards a new academic year, this week we will induct our new student, joining us in September, find out more here: https://www.scottishcollege.org/news/article/welcome-to-our-new-student

The Scottish College gathers people in communities of faith and freedom - to learn and to listen, to speak and to grow. Our programmes prepare individuals to be Ministers of Word and Sacrament, as well as for other forms of service in today’s church.

12/01/2026

Are you interested in knowing more about Stepwise?

There is a Stepwise Taster Session in the
Synod of Scotland waiting for you to join in

When: Wednesday, 4 February 2026 at 7 pm (to finish by 9 pm)
Where: on Zoom
Led by: John McNeil Scott

Stepwise is the URC’s discipleship development programme
offering time to reflect on and develop your Christian faith
for those who are ready to be stimulated and challenged
and want to make a difference in your own life and the lives of others

All are welcome to come along to the Taster Session
on 4 February, to receive the Zoom link please complete the Google form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5asQE5jrrBZEtzTtjFJOg2GVw_hkH9janV4gnH3a3L_X5Qw/viewform

19/09/2025

LUX LUCET IN TENEBRIS
And that light shineth in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 1:5, Geneva Bible (1599)

Follow the link to read a short reflection on The Scottish College trip to Torre Pellice, Italy, to spend time together journeying in the Waldensian story: https://www.scottishcollege.org/news/article/lux-lucet-in-tenebris

05/09/2025

Synod Lay Preachers and Leaders of Worship Event
10 Lay Preachers and Leaders of Worship from the National Synod of Scotland attended the training day at the end of August with the Revds Derek McDonald and John McNeil Scott. Read more here: https://www.scottishcollege.org/news/article/inspiring-day-for-synod-lay-preachers-and-lay-leaders

09/05/2025

Academic Year 2025/26 planning
Following a successful AGM, when our three new students all joined online for their first experience of The Scottish College, the Principal, Tutors and College Manager will meet next week to plan for the new academic year. Students can expect to hear more fairly soon, and if you would like to read a short introduction from each of the new students who will be joining us in 2025, follow this link:

The Scottish College gathers people in communities of faith and freedom - to learn and to listen, to speak and to grow. Our programmes prepare individuals to be Ministers of Word and Sacrament, as well as for other forms of service in today’s church.

10/11/2024

Linda Harrison to be College Manager

The Principal and Trustees are delighted to announce that Linda Harrison will be joining the team in the newly created role of College Manager on a part-time basis.

Linda has decades of experience in church and educational administration. Most recently she has worked with our educational partners at the Scottish Episcopal Institute. Linda has been a Synod Clerk with the United Reformed Church and is the Church Secretary of Augustine United Church. Linda will begin her part-time role in the New Year.

“I can’t tell you how delighted we are that Linda was prepared to take on this role for us at this time. I have valued and respected Linda’s integrity, imagination, initiative and efficiency across the different roles in which we have had contact. I am quite sure that her gifts will complement those of others in our learning community to transform what we do in new and wonderful ways.” - John McNeil Scott, Principal

17/08/2023

Congratulations to the Revd Derek McDonald, ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacraments on Saturday 12 August 2023 and inducted to service with Greenock East United Reformed Church. As part of his ministerial role Derek will also serve as Lay Preaching Advocate for the National Synod of Scotland.

The Service took place at Greenock West United Reformed Church and was led by the Revd Paul Whittle, Moderator of the National Synod of Scotland, United Reformed Church.

30/07/2023

Congratulations to the Revd Louise Sanders (Class of 2023) ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacraments on Saturday 29 July 2023 and inducted to St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, Monkseaton.

The Service took place at St. Andrew's URC, Monkseaton and was led by the Revd Dave Herbert, Moderator of Northern Synod, United Reformed Church.