Burning Bush Memorial Sculpture

The Burning Bush Memorial Sculpture can be found in St John's Town of Dalry. It was donated by Bill Dunigan of the Scottish Covenanter Memorials Association and Managing Director of Mayflower Engineering Ltd of Sheffield. It was installed in 2004 and unveiled on 18 September 2004.

The steel sculpture is based on the Burning Bush from Exodus chapter 3 of the Bible. It is 5m high and weighs a hefty 3 tons.

The Covenanters were supporters of the Scottish Presbyterian Church who opposed the Anglican interference of the Stuart kings. In short, the Covenanters believed the Church should rule and the Stuart kings believed they held the divine right to rule. This led to the persecution of the Covenanters by the monarchy. The Covenanters held their ground, but many lost their life standing up for what they believed in.

The leaves of the Burning Bush bear the names of the local Covenanters to which the sculpture is dedicated.

In memory of the Scottish Covenanters 1638-1687

William Gordon and Alexander Gordon of Earlstoun, Dalry.

Margaret MacLauchlan and Margaret Wilson two Covenanters who were drowned at Wigtown in 1685.

John Brown of Priesthill, who was shot by Graham of Claverhouse in May 1685.

Richard Cameron who published the "Sanquhar Declaration" which denounced the king and was killed at the Battle of Airds Moss in Ayrshire in 1680 a week later.

Captain John Paton of Meadowhead, who took part in the battles of Mauchline Muir, Rullion Green and Bothwell Bridge, was captured and sentenced to die in Edinburgh on 9 May 1684.

Reverend James Renwick of Moniaive, who held numerous large conventicles throughout Scotland and was executed in Edinburgh on 17 February 1688.

Reverend Alexander Peden of Sorn, a Covenanting minister who suffered imprisonment and died in 1686. He was buried in Auchinleck, but the soldiers dug up his grave and buried him in Cumnock at the foot of the gallows tree.

The sculpture is set in a playground not far from the school in St John's Town of Dalry. The car park is right next to the playground. The location of the sculpture was decided to be St John's Town of Dalry as it marks the starting point of the Pentland Rising, one of the most significant events during the 50 year Covenanters' struggle.