Peden's Stone

Traditionally, Rev Alexander Peden preached to a congregation of Covenanters at a spot near Linthills, Lochwinnoch. A large boulder formerly marked the spot, known as Peden's Stone, but this was blown up by a farmer a number of decades ago. Part of the stone was relocated to the roadside, between the road and the stone dike.

Peden's Stone Plaque

Mid Linthills

Lochwinnoch

Renfrewshire

NGR - NS 341601

The plaque was erected by the Scottish Covenanter Memorials Association to mark the site of Peden's Stone. The steel outline was gifted by Bill Dunigan, of Mayflower Engineering, Rotherham. The pole was fabricated by Scott Love. It was erected on 1 September 2026.

Rev Alexander Peden was outed as a minister at New Luce in 1662. He preached across much of Scotland thereafter, in remote glens and hillsides. He died in 1686, so he must have preached sometime between these dates. Some accounts state that the original Peden's Stone was located between Linthills and Dunconnel Hill (NS 331595).

Rev Robert Wodrow makes reference to a conventicle near to Linthills, but he lists Rev James Renwick as being the preacher. Whether there has been a mix-up over the centuries or whether both ministers have preached there on different occasions is unknown.