James Nicol (minister)

James Nicol (fl. 1608-1637) was a Church of Scotland minister and controversial figure.

Nicol was a minister in the presbytery of Ayr. He is primarily known for his opposition to certain liturgical and ceremonial changes proposed by King Charles I, which were perceived by many in Scotland as an attempt to impose Episcopalian practices.

His dissent culminated in 1637, when he actively protested the introduction of the new Scottish Prayer Book in his parish. His defiance, along with that of other ministers and laypeople, contributed to the widespread unrest that ultimately led to the National Covenant in 1638 and the subsequent Bishops' Wars.

Details of his personal life and ministerial career beyond his involvement in the liturgical controversies are sparse, but Nicol played a significant role in the resistance to Charles I's ecclesiastical policies in Scotland.