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 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.
TenureIncumbentNotes
d. 865Túathal of DunkeldThe 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 ".
d. 873Flaithbertach of DunkeldThe 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. 965Dúnchad of DunkeldDúnchad was killed along with Dubdon, Mormaer of Atholl in the battle of dorsum Crup, fought between king Dub and king Cuilén.
d. 1045Crínán of DunkeldProgenitor of the Dunkeld Dynasty, who ruled Scotland for more than two centuries.
fl. 1097Ethelred of ScotlandSon of king Máel Coluim III.

While it is true that medieval churchmen took an active part in secular affairs, 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.
TenureIncumbentNotes
fl. x 1114-1131 xCormac of Dunkeld
fl. 1138-1139John of AthollNot directly called "Bishop of Dunkeld", just a "bishop from Atholl" who went on mission to Orkney.
fl. x 1147-1169Gregoir of Dunkeld
1170-1178Richard of Dunkeld
1178 Walter de BidunNever consecrated. Never took possession of see.
1178-1203John Scotus
1203-1210Richard de Prebenda
1211-1214John de Leicester
1214-1229 x 1230Hugh de Sigillo
1229 x 1230 Matthew the Scot
1229 x 1230-1236Gilbert of Dunkeld
1236-1249Geoffrey de Liberatione
1250-1272Richard de Inverkeithing
1273-1277 x 1282Robert de Stuteville
1282 x 1283Hugh de StirlingDied at Rome pursuing his election.
1283-1285 x 1288William the Dean
1288-1309Matthew de Crambeth
1309-1311 John de LecheElect; nominee of King Edward II of England; his election was disputed, and he never actually took possession of his see.
1309-1337William Sinclair
1337 x 1338-1338 x 1342 Maol Choluim de InnerpeffrayA 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 1347Richard de Pilmuir
1347 x 1348 Robert de DenHe 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.
1347-1354Donnchadh de Strathearn
1355-1369John Luce
1370 x 1371 John de CarrickProbably failed to obtain consecration.
1370-1377Michael de Monymuskto be added
1377 x 1378Andrew UmfrayHad been dean of Dunkeld and precentor; he died at the Papal court.
1378-1390John de Peebles
1391-1395 x 1398Robert SinclairTranslated from Bishopric of Orkney.
1396-1437Robert de Cardeny
1437 x 1440Domhnall MacNeachdainnHe was the Dean of Dunkeld; he died in Continental Europe on his way to be consecrated by the Pope.
1437-1440James KennedyTranslated to the Bishopric of St. Andrews in April 1440.
1440 Alexander LauderHe was nominated to the see in May 1440, confirmed the following month, but died in October that year before his consecration.
1440-1460 Thomas LivingstonHe 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.
1441-1447James BruceAppointed Bishop of Glasgow in 1447, but died the same year.
1447 William TurnbullWas 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 1452John de Ralston
1452-1475Thomas LauderFormer Master of the hospital at Soutra Aisle.
1475-1483James LivingstonDean of Dunkeld who succeeded Bishop Thomas Lauder.
1483-1485 Alexander InglisWas elected but failed to ensure confirmation by the Pope.
1483-1515George Brown
1515-1516 Andrew StewartBrother of the Earl of Atholl. The Pope refused his nomination to the Bishopric, but did appoint him to the Bishopric of Caithness at Dornoch.
1515-1522Gavin DouglasForfeited December 1521, and fled to England.
1524-1526Robert CockburnPreviously Bishop of Ross.
1526-1544George Crichton
1544-1549John HamiltonPreviously Abbot of Paisley. Got promoted to the Archbishopric of St Andrews.
1549-1553 x 1554Donald Campbell
1543/1554-1571Robert CrichtonClaimed to have been coadjutor to Bishop George Crichton since 1543.

List of Schism anti-bishops

List of post-Reformation Bishops

Church of Scotland succession

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

Scottish Episcopal Church succession

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.