The Diocese of Brechin largely covers the counties of Kincardine, Angus and Perth. It was formed in the 1680s, the first bishop being James Drummond between 1684 and 1695. Nearly all small towns within the diocese had an Episcopal congregation, but after the 1745 Rising many rural congregations disappeared. By the time of the repeal of the Penal Laws in 1792 there were nine congregations remaining and over the nineteenth century the diocese began to expand, establishing new congregations in the Carse of Gowrie, Angus coastal burghs, and particularly in and around Dundee.
The Diocese is headed by the Bishop of Brechin. Until 1982 the Diocesan Synod was the Bishop's consulting body, and the Diocesan Council was the agent within the Diocese of the Representative Church Council, which had responsibility for the finances of the Episcopal Church of Scotland. Since 1982 these have been merged into one Diocesan Synod formed by the Bishop, clergy and all lay representatives of congregations.
From the guide to the Records of the Diocese of Brechin, 1774-1995, (University of Dundee)
