• 1707-1929 (Creation)

The register of the Synod of Ross commences on the 18th March 1707, there is however a previous volume, recorded under the title of the Presbytery of Ross, which begins in 1693. There were three Presbyteries that originally say within the Synod, namely Chanonry, Dingwall and Tain. By the early 20th Cent the Synod had joined with the Synod of Sutherland and Caithness to form the Presbytery of Ross, Sutherland and Caithness.
Synods, or Provincial Synods, were courts of the Church of Scotland which came between presbyteries and the General Assembly. There were 12 synods from 1930, and the Presbyteries of Orkney and Shetland held synodical powers. The General Assembly determined how synods were formed of constituent presbyteries. Synods met mostly twice a year, and could hear appeals against decisions from presbyteries.

Synods comprised all (both ministers and representative elders) who were on the rolls of the presbyteries within the synods; and there might have been corresponding members from neighbouring synods. The Synod's main officials were a moderator (effectively chairman) and a Synod officer, as well as one or more clerks. Funds for their work came from an assessment levied on congregations within their bounds.

Duties of the Synod included examination of Presbytery records, after which a report would be sent to the General Assembly touching on matters including the quinquennial investigation, special visitation of congregations (if required), and supervision of general Schemes of the Church. The Synod's own records would be examined by the General Assembly.

Meetings of synods came to be poorly attended, in part because their authority was diminished, and after a full review synods were dissolved as from 1 January 1993.
[Source: National Records of Scotland online catalogue: http://www.nas.gov.uk/onlineCatalogue/ ]

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