Coastal Communities Museum
A volunteer led local museum in North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland

Object Of The Month

Welcome to Object of The Month, a new way to enjoy the Coastal Communities Museum when the museum is closed. We will be selecting some of our most interesting objects and artefacts to share.

The Peden Mask

 
Replica of mask worn by Alexander Peden

Replica Mask ©ELMS

The Peden Mask

Alexander ‘Prophet’ Peden (1626-1686) was a Covenanting preacher. Covenanters were a 17th-century Scottish religious and political movement who supported a Presbyterian Church of Scotland. The name is derived from ‘Covenant’, a biblical term for a bond or agreement with God.

In 1660, Charles II declared himself head of the Scottish kirk and Covenanters became outlaws. Peden wore a version of this mask for 11 years to avoid being recognised as he travelled the country preaching. He was captured in 1673 and imprisoned for four years on the Bass Rock. After escaping, he returned to Scotland and continued to preach illegally until his death in 1686. His story inspired the Tale of Tod Lapraik in Catriona, by Robert Louis Stevenson.

 
 
Judith BoothCoastal Communities Museum