Baptists in Helmsdale in the 16th century

I have been informed that a book published in November 2007 indicates that as well as baptist being in Leith, Ayr and Perth at the time of Cromwell, that there is a strong case that English baptists were in Helmsdale at a garrison around 1650.

I would appreciate any information that would tell us a bit more about these soldiers in the North of Scotland... 200 years before the disruption.

Cromwell Baptists

Baptist
Cromwell Baptists





It is recognised that there was a Baptist presence in Perth by 1653. Baptist churches in England had been established in the first half of the century. Cromwell had set up 18 garrison towns and four citadels at Leith, Ayr Inverness and Perth. Governor Overton was a convinced Baptist and stationed at Perth.
The governor of Leith was also a Baptist. In England non conformists were seen as troublesome as opposed to Scotland where matters were seen to be lighter in terms of threat to the king. Cromwell's men were in the habit of intercepting mail to check for insurrection in the ranks. In 1655 a pamphlet was published re baptised churches at St Jounstoune( Perth's old name) Leith and Edinburgh. The purpose was to set out the churches commitment to the king and country and dispel concerns.
On the departure of Cromwell's men the Baptist witness was very small and for 100 years little progress was made.