The painting is a study for a modern history painting, ‘Quitting the Manse’. In 1843 nearly 500 ministers of the Church of Scotland abandoned their homes and livelihoods on the issue of whether landed patrons or the Church, in the form of local presbyteries, should have the right to make appointments. This surge of conscience, called 'The Disruption', led to the founding of the Free Church of Scotland. Lord Cockburn admired the sacrifice although did not entirely agree with it. This study shows the Marquess of Breadalbane with Lord Cockburn, the Marquess of Dalhousie and Lord Rutherfurd.