The wave of blessing that swept over Scotland in 1874 and 1875 touched Perthshire but lightly. In some places, however, such as Strathtay and Grandtully, there was a wide-spread interest awakened. The Rev. G. D. R. Munro, Free Church minister of Logierait, and afterwards of Jordanhill, Glasgow, supplied a Macrae account of the work.
"During the past seven months a mighty movement of grace has been experienced throughout the valley of Strathtay. Begun with the week of prayer, a spirit of expectancy was evoked. Prayer meetings and evangelistic services were largely attended. Mr Sankey's hymns Mr A new spirit of life was experienced by God's people, and many arc now rejoicing in the Lord, singing, 'Safe in the arms of Jesus,' who, but a short time ago, were utterly regardless of all these things. Perhaps the most outwardly remarkable event, in the course of this movement, has been the opening of what was but recently a place of Popish worship, in connection with the old Castle of Grandtully, for Protestant services. This object was long and anxiously prayed for, and, when seemingly insurmountable difficulties appeared, the Lord, in His own way, removed them all. J. H. Graham, Esq., tenant of the Castle and the shootings, and whose heart God has graciously moved with the care of souls, resolved to open the chapel for union evangelistic services. The first of these Mr on Tuesday, the 4th of August, when the chapel was filled to overflowing. It was arranged to hold another meeting, in the same place, on the evening of the following Sabbath. About an hour before the time of meeting the chapel was filled, and crowds of earnest worshippers were gathering around it from every point. An adjournment became necessary, and the choir having taken up a position on the lawn, under the shade of some of the fine lime trees which surround the grey walls of the old Castle, the large mass of people rallied around them; and then, when the assemblage had been consolidated, they marched to the quoad sacra church in the neighbourhood, which was kindly granted for the purpose. It was a grand sight, on a lovely Sabbath evening, to see such a body of people intent upon the things of eternity, and to hear the hillside re-echo to the lively strains of 'Hold the Fort,' as the great congregation moved to the place of adjournment. The church was soon crowded in every corner, lobbies and all being occupied. . . . A deep spirit of solemnity prevailed, and not a few, in whose memories the days of Findlater, MacDonald, and Burns are still fragrant, were heard to say, 'We never saw such a day in Grandtully.
‘Revivals in the Highlands and Islands’ by Alexander Macrea – Republished in 1998 by Tentmaker Publications.