This weird collection of undulations and channels - partly caused by quarrying, partly of natural causes - was used by Covenanter groups as a secret meeting place for conventicles in the 17th century. Established as signees of a covenant confirming opposition to the Stuart influence (and their insistence in the divine right of kings) in the affairs of the Presbyterian Church, The Covenanters went on to play a significant part in the establishment of Presbyterianism in Scotland - but before this, the Stuart forces attempted to quell this sedition by any means necessary. Between at least 1680 - 1688 participating in a conventicle was punishable by death.