The family possessions in the Orkneys were regained on the death of Barefoot, but fresh contests were stirred up when Haco, cousin of St. Magnus, laid claim to them for himself. To avoid bloodshed St. Magnus agreed to a meeting with Haco in the island of Egilshay that thus the dispute might be settled in a friendly manner. Haco, however, was a traitor; and caused his own forces to be drawn round the unarmed Magnus to compass his destruction. The latter, made aware of the treachery, and unable to make any defence, prepared for his conflict by a night of prayer in {65} the church, and the reception of the Sacraments. Then, when morning dawned, he advanced courageously to confront his murderers, and met a barbarous death with Christian fortitude. The only Catholic cathedral in Scotland which remains entire still shelters the body of a saint. It may be that God has spared it to restore it to Catholic worship through the merits of St. Magnus. The feast, known in the Middle Ages as "Magnusmas," was restored by Pope Leo XIII. His fair was formerly held at Watten-Wester in Caithness. A holy well at Birsay, in Orkney, bears his name.
17—St. Donnan and Companions, Martyrs, A.D. 617.
Like St. Columba, whose countryman he was, St. Donnan left his native Ireland and passed over to Scotland, where he established a monastery on the Island of Eigg, one of the Inner Hebrides. While celebrating the Holy Mysteries on Easter morning the abbot and his monks were surprised by a horde of pirates, possibly Danes, who had been instigated by a malicious woman to put them to death. At F {66} the prayer of the monks they granted them a respite till Mass was finished, and then put them all to the sword. The martyrs numbered fifty-three.
Many churches, especially in the west, bore St. Donnan's dedication.Among them were Kildonan of Eigg, Arran, South Uist, Kintyre, andLochbroom. On the island of his martyrdom is the saint's well. St.Donnan's abbatial staff existed up to the Reformation; it wastreasured at Auchterless, Aberdeenshire, where "Donan Fair" was heldas late as 1851. Another fair used to be held at Kildonan, inSutherlandshire. The feast of these martyrs was restored to theScottish Calendar by Leo XIII in 1898.
18—St. Laserian or Molios, Abbot, A.D. 639.
This saint was of princely race in Ireland. He seems to have been brought to Scotland at an early age, and to have been sent to Ireland for his education. Later on he returned to Scotland for a life of sanctity and solitude. A small island in the bay of Lamlash, off the coast of Arran, became his abode for many {67} years. His virtues gave it the name it still bears of Holy Island.
St. Laserian seems to have made a pilgrimage to Rome, where he was raised to the priest hood. Returning to Ireland, he afterwards became abbot of the monastery of Leighlin. He is said to have espoused with much zeal the Roman usage with regard to Easter.
In Holy Island, which was so long his solitary abode, are still to be seen traces of his residence. A cave scooped out of the rock bears his name, and a rocky ledge is called "St. Molio's Bed." A spring of clear water near the cave is also pointed out as the saint's well, and miraculous properties have been attributed to it. The cave itself is marked with many pilgrims crosses.
21—St. Maelrubha, Abbot, A.D. 722.
He was born of noble race in Ireland, and in early life began his monastic life under the rule of his relative, St. Comgal, at Bangor. When he reached the age of twenty-nine he passed over the sea to Scotland, and founded at Applecross, in Ross, a monastery, over which {68} he ruled for more than fifty years. During his residence in Scotland he founded a church on a small island in the beautiful lake now known as Loch Maree, which takes its name from this saint.
St. Maelrubha acquired a great reputation for sanctity throughout the west coast of Scot land and the islands adjacent, where he was one of the most popular of the Irish saints in Catholic ages. An old Scottish tradition, quoted by the Aberdeen Breviary, says that he met his death at the hands of pagan Norwegians, at Urquhart, in the Black Isle, on the eastern side of Ross-shire, and that he was left lying severely wounded, but still alive, for three days, during which angels consoled him. A bright light, hovering over the spot, is said to have discovered the dying saint to a neighbouring priest, and thus procured for him the participation in "the Body of the Immaculate Lamb" before he expired. His title to martyrdom is, however, disputed by later authorities.
The devotion of Catholics to this saint is attested by the numerous dedications of churches to his memory. At least twenty-one of these {69} are enumerated by antiquarians. Chief are Applecross (where he was laid to rest), Loch Maree, Urquhart (the reputed place of his martyrdom), Portree, Arasaig, Forres, Fordyce, Keith, Contin and Gairloch. In these dedications the saint's name assumes various forms, such as Maree, Mulruy, Mury, Samareirs (St. Mareirs, at Forres), Summaruff (St. Maruff, at Fordyce), and many others.
Many place of interest in connection with this saint may still be found. At Applecross, in the vicinity of the ruins of the church, is the martyr's grave, calledCladh Maree, near the churchyard is "Maelrubha's River," while two miles away is the saint's seat, called in GaelicSuidhe Maree. Several other traces of him are to be discovered in the place-names of the neighbourhood.
Loch Maree is the most interesting locality connected with St. Maelrubha. A small island in the loch calledInnis Mareecontains an ancient chapel and a burial place. Near it is a deep well, renowned for the efficacy of its water in the cure of lunacy. An oak tree hard by is studded with nails, to each of which was {70} formerly attached a shred of clothing belonging to some pilgrim visitor. Many pennies and other coins have at various times been driven edgewise into the bark of the tree, and it is fast closing over them. These are the Protestant equivalents to votive offerings at the shrine.
At Forres, in Moray, an annual fair was held on this day, as also at Fordyce, Pitlessie (Fife), and Lairg (Sutherland) at the latter place under the name of St. Murie. Keith in Banffshire was formerly known as Kethmalruf, or "Keith of Maelrubha." At Contin, near Dingwall, the ancient church was dedicated to the saint; its annual fair calledFeille Maree, and familiarly known as the "August Market," was transferred to Dingwall. Many other memorials of this saint are to be found in Ross-shire. It is worthy of note that many dedications formerly supposed to be in honour of Our Lady are now identified as those of St. Maelrubha under the title of Maree; this is proved by the traditional pronunciation of their respective names.
St. Maelrubha is one of the Scottish saints whosecultuswas approved by Rome in 1898, {71} and whose feast has been consequently restored in many of the Scottish dioceses. It was formerly observed in Scotland on August 27, but has been always kept in Ireland on this day.
21—St. Egbert, Priest and Monk, A.D. 729.
He was an Englishman of good family, who, after some years of study in the monastery of Lindisfarne, followed the almost universal custom of those days and passed over to Ireland, then renowned for its monastic schools, entering the monastery of Melfont. During his stay there a pestilence broke out which carried off a great number of the inmates. Egbert prayed earnestly to be spared that he might live a life of penance, making a vow never more to return to England, to recite daily the whole psalter in addition to the canonical hours, and to fast from all food one day in each week for the rest of his life. His vow was accepted and his life spared.
After some years Egbert was raised to the priesthood, and his zeal for souls led him to desire to preach the faith to the pagan people of that part of Germany then known as Friesland, In this project he was joined by some {72} of his pious companions. A vessel had been chartered, and all things were ready, when it was revealed to Egbert through a holy monk that God had other designs in his regard; in obedience to this intimation the voyage was at once abandoned.
The later life of Egbert exemplifies the way in which God chooses and preserves the instruments for accomplishing His Will. Entering the monastery of Iona when already advanced in years, he spent the last thirteen years of his life in untiring efforts to induce the monks to give up the Celtic traditions to which they clung, and to conform to the Roman computation of Easter. His sweetness and gentleness were at last rewarded. On Easter Day 729 he passed away at the ripe age of ninety, "rejoicing," as St. Bede says, "that he had been detained here long enough to see them keep the feast with him on that day, which before they had always avoided."
Though the monks of Iona did not then, as a body, accept the Roman custom, yet the seeds sown by Egbert bore fruit eventually in complete conformity with the rest of the Church, {73} St. Egbert thus merits a high place among the saints of Scotland, although but a short period of his life was spent in the country. He also shares with St. Willibrord the renown of converting Friesland to the Faith; for it was by his example and persuasion that the latter was induced to undertake the work which terminated so successfully. On account of his connection with the conversion of the country, the feast of St. Egbert was formerly celebrated in the diocese of Utrecht. Some authors maintain that St. Egbert never took monastic vows, but was a priest living in the monastery; others say, and with good reason, that he was a bishop.
25—St. Cunibert, Bishop, A.D. 699.
This saint was entrusted by his parents for his education to some monks living in a monastery near the Tay, whose site cannot now be identified. He became a priest, and afterwards bishop. Towards the end of his days he retired into solitude as a hermit, and thus finished his earthly course.
St. Machalus, Bishop, A.D. 498.
He was a bishop in the Isle of Man, which {74} then formed part of Scotland. His name is variously written as Machalus, Machella, and Mauchold. One of the parishes in the island bears his name, and in the churchyard is the saint's holy well. A ledge of rock hard by is called his "chair"; it used to be a favourite devotion of pilgrims to seat themselves on this ledge while drinking the miraculous water of the well and invoking the saint's aid. The water is said to have been effective in preventing the action of poison. Many churches in Scotland are called by his name. There was a chapel near Chapeltown in Banffshire known as Kilmaichlie, which seems to refer to this saint. A holy well is still to be found in the vicinity.
29—St. Middan, Bishop.
Very little is known of this saint. Some think him to be identical with St. Madden or Medan, who was honoured at Airlie, in Angus. Near the church of Airlie is a spring called by the name of St. Medan, and a hillock hard by is known as "St. Medan's Knowe." The bell of the saint was also preserved there till it was sold for old iron during the last century. Ecclesmaldie, {75} now called Inglismaldie, in the Mearns, has also a "Maidie Well," which may possibly be connected with St. Middan.
30—St. Brioc, Bishop, A.D. 500.
This saint was British by birth. He became a disciple of St. Germanus and devoted himself to preaching the Gospel to his fellow-country men. Flying for his life from the fury of the pagan Saxons, he passed over the sea to Brittany, and there built a monastery on the sea coast which was afterwards called by his name. The town which grew up in the vicinity became the seat of a bishop, and is still known as St. Brieuc.
There is no record of the saint having visited Scotland, but there was much devotion to him among Celtic peoples, and Scottish dedications bear witness to the honour in which he was held in that country. He is the patron of Rothesay; the church bore the designation of St. Mary and St. Brioc, and "St. Brock's Fair" was held there on the first Wednesday in May. "Brux day fair," which seems to refer to this saint, was instituted in 1585 to be {76} held in July every year on the island of Cumbrae, but it has long ceased to be kept. Dunrod Church, in Kirkcudbright, bears the dedication of St. Mary and St. Brioc. The island of Inchbrayock in the Esk, near Montrose, is called after him. The French keep his feast on May 1st, but in Scotland it was celebrated on April 30th.
1—St. Asaph, Bishop, A.D. (about) 590.
St. Asaph was one of the most eminent of the disciples of St. Mungo (Kentigern). When the latter was driven from Scotland he took refuge in Wales and there founded a monastery, which attracted a great number of disciples desirous of placing themselves under his guidance. It was to Asaph that St. Mungo resigned the government when he himself was allowed to return to Glasgow. Owing to the sanctity and renown of the new abbot the monastery eventually bore his name. St. Asaph was consecrated Bishop about A.D. 650, and his diocese has {77} retained the name of St. Asaph's for thirteen centuries. Some writers have maintained that St. Asaph accompanied his master to Scotland, but it seems more probable that Scottish devotion to him originated in his close connection with the "beloved" saint of Glasgow. Many traces of this devotion still survive. In the island of Skye is a ruined chapel dedicated to him called "Asheg." In that island is also an excellent spring of clear water known asTobar Asheg, or St. Asaph's Well. Kilassie, an old burial ground near Loch Rannoch, also takes its name from him.
The most interesting of these remains is a ruin in the island of Bearnarey, in the Sound of Harris. It is evidently a chapel of the saint and is calledCill Aisaim. Near it once stood an obelisk about eight feet high, bearing sculptured symbols, and in comparatively recent years this was surrounded by heaps of coloured pebbles, coins, bone pins, and bronze needles, which were probably pilgrims offerings. The obelisk was broken up some years ago and its materials used for building, but a Scottish antiquarian managed to gain possession of a fragment. {78}
3—St. Fumac.
This was a saint specially venerated in Banffshire. He was the patron of Botriphnie or "Fumac Kirk" in that county. According to an old MS. of the eighteenth century, the wooden image of the saint was formerly preserved there, and the old woman who acted as its custodian used to wash it with all due solemnity in St. Fumac's Well on the 3rd of May annually. This image was in existence in 1847, but a flood of the Isla swept it away to Banff, where the parish minister in his Protestant zeal burnt it. St. Fumac's Fair was kept on this day at Botriphnie and also at Dinet, in Caithness, and Chapel of Dine, Watten, in the same county.
9—St. Comgall, Abbot, A.D. 602.
He was a native of Ireland, and founder and ruler of the renowned monastery of Bangor, where he is said to have governed no less than three thousand monks. In the year 598, anxious, like so many of his countrymen, to bring the blessing of the Christian Faith to Scotland, he left his native land to found a {79} monastery in Tiree. He was a great friend of St. Columba, and was one of that saint's companions in the journey to Inverness and the miraculous conversion of King Brude. St. Comgall did not remain permanently in Scotland; he died in Ireland, and was laid to rest at Bangor. The date of his death is given by Irish authorities as the 10th of May, but his feast has always been celebrated in Scotland on the 9th. The church of Durris, Kincardineshire, bore his name, and an annual fair, the only remains of his festival in Protestant times, was formerly held there on this day.
16—St. Brendan or Brandan, Abbot, A.D. 577.
He was born in Ireland, and in early youth became the disciple of St. Jarlaath, of Tuam. He afterwards crossed over to Britain, and spent some years in the Abbey of Llancarvan, in Glamorganshire, where he is said to have baptised Machutus, whose name (under the French form of Malo), is cherished still as that of one of the apostles of Brittany.
Returning to Ireland, St. Brendan founded several monasteries, the most important of them {80} being that of Clonfert, on the Shannon. He is said to have had as many as three thousand monks under him in his various foundations. The saint was also closely connected with Scotland, where he founded monasteries; it is thought that one was in Bute and the other in Tiree. His many dedications are an indication of Scottish devotion to him, Kilbrannan (Church of St. Brandan) in Mull, Kilbrandon in the Isle of Seil, Boyndie in Banffshire, Birnie in Moray and Kilbirnie in Ayrshire (where the saint's fair is held on May 28th—16th old style) are some of these. At Kilbirnie is St. Birnie's Well; another named after this saint is in Barra. Another fair, granted in 1474, was held on this day at Inverary (Argyllshire). There is a ruined chapel bearing his name on St. Kilda.
St. Brendan's name is associated with wonderful narratives—probably dating long after his time—of his voyages towards the west; they possibly contain some little truth mixed up with much that is entirely fabulous. It is beyond doubt that St. Brendan and his companions in their missionary voyages sailed to {81} regions hitherto unknown to the mariners of the time; it has even been maintained that they actually touched the American shore. However this may be, the tradition of the discoveries of the saint, familiar to every country in Europe, kept in mind the possibly existing western land, and issued at last in the discovery of the American continent by Columbus.
A curious custom in connection with St. Brendan existed up to almost recent times. When they wished for a favourable wind the fishermen would cry repeatedly:Brainuilt!The word seems to be a contraction ofBreanainn-Sheoladair("Brendan the Voyager"), and was originally an invocation of the saint. The feast of St. Brendan has been restored to the Scottish Calendar.
17—St. Gathan, Bishop, 6th century. This saint was probably of Irish nationality. He dwelt for the greater part of his life in the Island of Bute. St. Blaan, whose ruined chapel is still to be seen in Kingarth parish in that island, was his nephew. No particulars of the life of St. Cathan remain to us. His name G {82} survives in Kilchatten village, mill and bay, in Kingarth parish, and a hill near is called St. Cathan's Seat. There is another Kilchattan in Luing Island, Argyllshire, and in the same county is Ardchattan. Churches were dedicated to the saint in the islands of Gigha and Colonsay. The confederation of clans known as Clan Chattan is thought to have originated in Bute, and to have taken its name from St. Cathan. Gillichattan and Macgillichattan are characteristic names belonging to Clan Chattan; the latter was common in Bute in the 17th century. They signify respectively "Servant of Cathan" and "Son of the servant of Cathan."
18—St. Mcrolilanus, Martyr, 8th century.
He was a holy priest, probably from Ireland, who was killed by robbers when passing through France on a pilgrimage to Rome. His body was buried at Rheims, and remained unknown and unhonoured for many years. Miracles at length revealed the saint's tomb, and his body was found on examination to be entire and fresh, exhaling a delicious odour. The sacred remains were afterwards translated to the {83} Church of St. Symphorien in the same city. In 1618 the Cardinal-Archbishop of Rheims presented an arm-bone of the saint to the Scots College in Rome. It was removed for safety to the Vatican Treasury when the college was closed during the French occupation of Rome. Through the good offices of the Right Rev. Bishop Pifferi, the Papal sacristan, the relic was restored to the college in 1893. A notable relic of this saint was obtained from Rheims by the Abbey of Fort-Augustus and is now honoured there. There is no other record of the saint's connection with Scotland.
St. Conval, Confessor, A.D. (about) 612.
This saint was born in Ireland, but crossed over to Scotland in his youth to become the disciple of St. Kentigern. An old legend relates that, as no vessel could be procured for his voyage, ne was miraculously conveyed across the channel upon a large stone, this stone after wards becoming an instrument of healing to the sick who touched it. St. Conval's relics were honoured at Inchinnan on the Clyde. He was patron of the old church of Pollokshaws or {84}Polloc-on-the-Shaws; with regard to the name of this parish,Shawin old Scottish meant "a grove." The Shaws' Fair probably the patronal feast of the church was formerly held on the last Friday in May every year. This saint was also the patron of the churches of Cumnock and Ochiltree, as ancient documents attest. Many miracles have been attributed to him. It seems probable that the chapel known as St. Conall's, at Ferrenese in Renfrewshire, whose ruins still remain, and the holy well hard by, were named after St. Conval; the designation (often written Conual) might easily become corrupted to Connal in the course of centuries. The land belonging to this chapel became in the sixteenth century part of the endowment of a collegiate church founded at Lochwinnoch by Lord Sempill.
23—St. William, Martyr, A.D. (about) 1201.
It is a fact, unknown perhaps to many, that St. William, whose shrine in Rochester Cathedral was the object of great devotion in Catholic ages, must be reckoned among Scottish saints. He was a native of Perth, and for many years {85} followed the trade of baker. In his youth he fell into careless and irreligious ways; but being converted he began to be zealous in good works. He became especially remarkable for his charity to the poor, bestowing upon them in alms a tenth part of all the bread he made.
To satisfy his devotion he started on a pilgrim age to Jerusalem, taking as his companion a youth whom he had found in the streets, as an infant deserted by his mother, and whom he had carried home and brought up as his own son.
The two made their way through England, and having passed through Rochester were on their road to Canterbury, when the youth, led by avarice, yielded to the temptation to murder and rob his benefactor. Striking the saint a blow on the head from behind, he afterwards despatched him with an axe, and then made off with his booty.
The dead body remained for some days lying off the road, when it was discovered by a mad woman who was roaming about there. In insane sport she crowned the head with flowers, and afterwards transferred the wreath to her {86} own brow, when she was instantly restored to sanity. The miracle becoming known, the sacred remains were reverently laid to rest in Rochester Cathedral. The tomb of the saint soon became famous on account of the numerous graces obtained there through prayer. After his canonization by Innocent IV in 1256, pilgrimages to Rochester grew more and more frequent, and to this day may be seen the steps worn hollow by the constant press of pilgrims to the shrine. So generous were their offerings that they sufficed to rebuild the choir and transepts of the cathedral.
This day is probably the anniversary of the finding of St. William's relics.
29—St. Daganus, Bishop, A.D. (about) 609.
This saint was honoured in Galloway. St. Bede mentions him as a zealous opponent to the introduction into the Celtic Church of the Roman computation of Easter. This, however, does not militate against the sanctity of his life; for the Holy See had not yet definitely set the matter at rest, and he was therefore free to cling to the rite so long observed in his native country. His name occurs in the Dunkeld Litany.
3—St. Kevin or Coivin, Abbot, A.D. 618.
This Irish saint has been compared by ancient writers to St. Paul the Hermit, on account of his holiness of life. He founded the celebrated monastery of Glendalough, in Wicklow County; it became in after ages a bishop's see. He lived to the age of 120 years.
St. Kevin was greatly honoured in Scotland as well as in his native country. It is said, that he lived for a time in Scotland. Traces of a devotion to him are certainly found in the western part of the country. In the parish of Southend, Argyllshire, are the remains of a small building called St. Coivin's Chapel. Kilkivan (in the parish of Campbelltown) is named after him, and a cave there is known as "St. Kevin's Bed."
6—St. Colmoc or Colman, Bishop, A.D. 500.
He was an Irish saint, who became Bishop of Dromore, and was renowned for miracles. There is no record of St. Colmoc having ever {88} lived in Scotland, but Scottish writers number him among the saints of the country, and the dedications still existing in his honour show that he had some connection with that kingdom. The monastery of Inchmahome, for instance, a priory of Austin Canons on an island in the Lake of Monteith, Perthshire, is named after him. Another dedication is Kilmochalmaig, the site of an ancient church on the west coast of Bute. The remains of a pillar with a sculptured cross may still be seen there. Portmahomack in Tarbet, Easter-Ross, refers either to this saint or to St. Colman, patron of the church of Tarbet (see February 18). A chapel in the burial-ground of Kirriemuir (Forfarshire) bore the name of St. Colmoc.
9—St. Colum Cille or Columba, Abbot, A.D. 597.
The apostle of the northern regions of Scotland was born in Ireland in A.D. 521. Both father and mother were of royal race. Though offered the crown of his native province, Columba preferred rather to enrol himself in the monastic state. He studied in the schools of Moville, Clonard, and Glasnevin, and in course {89} of time was ordained priest. At twenty-five years of age he founded his first monastery at Derry; this was to be the precursor of the hundred foundations which Ireland owed to his zeal and energy. In these monasteries the transcription of the Holy Scriptures formed the chief labour of the inmates, and so much did Columba love the work that he actually wrote three hundred manuscripts of the Gospels and Psalms with his own hand.
But Columba was not destined to remain in Ireland. From his earliest years he had looked forward to the time when he might devote himself to missionary efforts for the benefit of those who knew not the Christian faith. In the forty-second year of his age he exiled himself voluntarily from his beloved country to preach the Gospel to the pagan Picts. The story of his having been banished from Ireland for using his influence to bring about a bloody conflict between chieftains is rejected by the greatest modern historians as a fable. Early writers speak of the saint as a man of mild and gentle nature.
On Whit Sunday, A.D. 563, St. Columba {90} landed with twelve companions on the bleak, unsheltered island off the coast of Argyll, known asHii-Coluim-Cilleor Iona. For thirty-four years the saint and his helpers laboured with such success, that through their efforts churches and centres of learning sprang up everywhere, both on the mainland and the adjacent islands. Iona became the centre whence the Faith was diffused throughout the country north of the Grampians. The monastic missionaries were untiring in their efforts. They penetrated even to Orkney and Shetland.
On Sunday, June 9, A.D. 597, St. Columba was called to his reward. He died in the church, kneeling before the altar and surrounded by his religious brethren. His remains, first laid to rest at Iona, were afterwards carried over to Ireland and enshrined in the Cathedral of Down by the side of those of St. Patrick and St. Bridget. All these relics perished when the cathedral was burned by Henry VIII's soldiers.
St. Columba was a man of singular purity of mind, boundless love for souls, and a gentle, winning nature which drew men irresistibly to {91} God. His labours were furthered by Divine assistance, which was evidenced by numerous miracles. Among the saints of Scotland he takes a foremost rank, and in Catholic ages devotion to him was widespread. The churches dedicated to him are too numerous to mention. He himself founded no less than fifty during his residence in the land which he had chosen as the scene of his labours. Annual fairs were held on his feast at Aberdour (Fife), Dunkeld each for eight days Drymen (Stirlingshire), Largs (Argyllshire), and Fort-Augustus (Inverness-shire). St. Columba's holy wells were very numerous, for an old Irish record relates of him: "He blessed three hundred wells which were constant." In Scotland they are to be traced at Birse (Aberdeenshire), Alvah and Portsoy (Banffshire), Invermoriston (Inverness-shire), Calaverock (Forfarshire), Cambusnethan (Lanarkshire), Alness (Ross-shire), Kirkholm (Wigtonshire), and on the islands of Garvelloch, Eigg and Iona.
St. Baitan or Baithen, Abbot, A.D. 600.
He was cousin to St. Columba, and accompanied him from Ireland to Scotland. From {92} his childhood he had been that saint's disciple and companion, and St. Columba had a special affection for him. He was appointed superior of the monastery established in Tiree, but at St. Columba's death succeeded him as Abbot of Iona. There he remained only four years, death calling him away, as he had previously foretold to his monks, on the anniversary of their father and founder. St. Baitan was buried in St. Oran's Chapel on Iona. His bell was still preserved in Donegal up to a few years since, and it was a common practice of devotion to drink from it. In the same district is St. Baitan's River, to which flocks and herds were brought to drink on the saint's festival.
St. Baitan is said to have spent his time either in reading, praying, or serving his neighbour. Even during meals he used constantly to implore the Divine aid in the words of the Psalmist: "O God, come to my assistance." During labour his mind was always raised to God. So mortified was he that it was said that the impression of his ribs through his woollen tunic used to mark the sandy beach of Iona when he lay down to rest himself there. {93}
12—St. Ternan, Bishop, A.D. 431.
This saint was born in the Mearns of noble parents. St. Palladius, who evangelised that district, is said to have been directed to the child by an angel, in order that he might ad minister baptism. Ternan grew up to manhood, embraced the clerical state, and in due time became a bishop. He is said to have fixed his residence at Abernethy, where he died. He was buried at the place now known as Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, where a fair is still held annually on his festival. More than a thousand years after his death the head of the saint was venerated there by one who has testified to the existence at the time of the skin upon the skull in the part where it had received the episcopal consecration. Up to the Reformation two other valuable relics of the saint were preserved in that same church. One was the copy of St. Matthew's Gospel, which belonged to St. Ternan, encased in a cover adorned with gold and silver; the other was the saint's bell. This latter is thought to have been identical with an ancient bell which was dug up near the present railway station at Banchory in the {94} making of the line. It has unfortunately been lost sight of.
The churches of Slains, in Aberdeenshire, and Arbuthnott and Upper Banchory, in the Mearns, were dedicated to St. Ternan. At Taransay, in Harris, and at Findon, in the Mearns, were chapels of the saint; the latter place possessed a holy well called by his name, and there was another at Slains.
20—St. Fillan ("The Leper"), 6th century. This saint was a native of Ireland, and is honoured in that country also on this day. Animated with the desire for solitude in a strange country, or else with missionary zeal, he passed over to Scotland and settled in the district known as Strathearn. No particulars of his life are known.
Several remains speak of devotion shown to this holy man. The village of St. Fillans (Dundurn), in the parish of Comrie, was dedicated to him, and from him took its name; his holy well is there still. In the vicinity is a conical hill about 600 feet high, which is called Dunfillan. At the summit is a rock which goes {95} by the name of "St. Fillan's Chair"; from it he is said to have blessed the country round. The old church of Aberdour, Fifeshire, now in ruins, was named after St. Fillan. A well hard by, known as the Pilgrims Well, was renowned as late as the eighteenth century for curing diseases of the eye. It is thought to have been dedicated to the patron of the church. The hospital of St. Martha, for the benefit of pilgrims, was founded there in 1474, and was served by Sisters of the third Order of St. Francis from 1487 up to the Reformation.
21—St. Cormac, Abbot, 6th century.
St. Cormac was another Irish saint. From his early youth he followed a monastic life, and eventually became a disciple of St. Columba. In after years he became Abbot of Dearmagh, now known as Durrow, in King's County. This charge he resigned in order to give himself to missionary life. He had always been of a brave and enterprising nature, and more than once in his missionary career his zeal led him to venture on the high seas, in quest of some pagan land where he might preach the Faith, {96} or of some desert region where he might live in closer communion with God.
In one of his journeys he visited St. Columba at Iona, and afterwards sailed as far as the Orkneys, where the pagan people were minded to put him to death. But one of the chiefs had long before made a solemn promise to St. Columba, who had seen in vision the coming of Cormac to the islands and his threatened death, that no harm should happen to him in the Orkneys. This intervention was successful.
Neither the place nor time of St. Cormac's death is known with any certainty, but an ancient Irish tradition asserts that he returned to Durrow and was buried there.
A fragment still exists of the "Crozier of Durrow", which is considered to be the most ancient relic of its kind now extant. It is believed to have belonged to the founder of Durrow, the great Columba, and to have been given by him to his disciple, Cormac.
22—St. Suibhne, Abbot, A.D. 772.
This saint was the sixteenth Abbot of Iona. There had been before him another abbot of {97} the same name. Suibhne, pronounced "Sweeney", is identical with an Irish appellation not uncommon in our day.
25—St. Moluag or Lughaidh, Bishop. A.D. 592.
This saint was born in Ireland and became a monk in the renowned abbey of Bangor. He was so fervent a follower of monastic life that, as St. Bernard testifies, he founded no less than a hundred monasteries. Fired with missionary zeal, he left his native land to preach to the pagans of Scotland. Tradition says that the rock on which he stood detached itself from the Irish coast and became a raft to bear him across the waters to the island of Lismore, in Loch Linnhe, where he landed. St. Moluag converted the people of the island to Christianity, and then moved into Ross-shire, where he built many churches, dedicating them to the Mother of God.
He lived to extreme old age, and died at Rosemarkie on the Moray Firth. Here he is said by some to have been buried, but his relics must in that case have been afterwards translated to Lismore; for his remains were honoured in the cathedral there, which was H {98} called after him.
Great devotion was shown to this saint in Catholic ages both in Scotland and Ireland. There were many dedications to him in Scotland. At Lismore, the cathedral of Argyll bore his name. Other churches were dedicated to him at Clatt and Tarland, Aberdeenshire; Mortlach, Banffshire; Alyth, Perthshire; also in Skye, Mull, Raasay, Tiree, Pabay, Lewis and other islands. An ancient burial ground at Auchterawe, near Fort Augustus, styled Kilmalomaig, is called after this saint. In these dedications his name appears in various forms. The original Celtic name Lughaidh (pronouncedLua) became changed, as in many other cases, by the addition of the title of honourmo, as a prefix, and the endearing suffixag.
At Clatt was held annually for eight days "St. Mallock's Fair", and at Tarland "Luoch Fair". Others were held at Ruthven (Forfarshire) and at Alyth; at the latter place the fair was styled "St. Malogue's". At Mortlach, where some of the saint's relics were preserved, an abbey was founded in 1010 by Malcolm II. in thanksgiving for a victory obtained over the Danes in that place, after the Scottish army {99} had invoked the aid of Our Lady and St. Moluag. His holy well was nearby.
The crozier of the saint is now in the pos session of the Duke of Argyll; it was long kept by its hereditary custodians, a family named Livingstone, on the island of Lismore. The bell of St. Moluag was in existence up to the sixteenth century; but disappeared at the Reformation. An ancient bell, discovered in 1814 at Kilmichael-Glassary, Argyllshire, has been thought to be the lost treasure. The feast of this saint was restored by Leo XIII. in 1898.
1—St. Servan or Serf, Bishop, 6th or 8th century.
Much that is legendary has become mixed up with the history of this saint, and it is difficult to fix upon what is authentic.
He founded a monastery at Culross, Fifeshire, where he lived in great veneration on {100} account of his virtues and miracles. He is said to have befriended the mother of S. Kentigern when she was cast on the shore near his dwelling, and to have baptised and educated her child. A very ancient life of St. Serf, however, places him a century later than St. Kentigern, and makes him contemporary with St. Adamnan.
On account of the many difficulties presented by conflicting traditions, it has been suggested that two saints of the same name have lived at Culross in different centuries.
St. Serf died at Culross in extreme old age, and was buried there. Within the grounds belonging to Lord Rosslyn at Dysart is pointed out the cave where the saint is said to have encountered and overcome the devil. The name Dysart (desert), which marked his place of retreat, became afterwards extended to the town which grew up there. The cave of the saint became a favourite place of pilgrimage.
The churches of Monzievaird-Perthshire, and Alva-Stirlingshire, were dedicated to this saint, and at each place is a well called by his name. Another well of his called "St. Shear's Well" exists at Dumbarton. All three were {101} considered miraculous. St. Serf's Fairs were formerly held at Culross, Abercorn (Linlithgowshire) and Aberlednock (Perthshire).
At Culross a custom prevailed from time immemorial for the young men to perambulate the streets in procession, carrying green boughs, on the 1st of July each year. The Town Cross was decorated with garlands and ribbons, and the procession would pass several times round it before disbanding to spend the day in amusements. This was doubtless the remains of a procession in honour of the saint. At the accession of George III. the population, being strong Hanoverians, began to celebrate that King's birthday on June 4th, and to avoid too many public holidays, the procession of July 1st, the signification of which has become lost, was transferred to the King's birthday. It survived the accession of Queen Victoria, but has now probably fallen into disuse.
3—St. Killen, Abbot, A.D. 752.
This saint was the fourteenth Abbot of Iona. The old church ofLaggan, near Loch Laggan, Inverness-shire, was dedicated to St.Killen. {102}
4—St. Marianus Scotus, Abbot, A.D. 1088.
The monastery of St. James, Ratisbon, owes its first beginnings to this saint. Most historians are now agreed in maintaining that Marianus was a native of Ireland, which for many centuries bore the designation of Scotia. The holy man with several companions entered a Benedictine monastery at Bamberg. Some time afterwards, when on a pilgrimage to Rome, they passed through Ratisbon. A holy hermit who was living there persuaded Marianus to forego his visit to Rome and take up his abode in Ratisbon. He obeyed the injunction, and founded a monastery in connection with the Church of St. Peter, which the nuns to whom it belonged made over to him.
After the death of Marianus a larger abbey was built in honour of St. James and St. Gertrude which eventually became peopled by Scotsmen, and became, after the Reformation, an important seminary for the education of clergy for mission work in Scotland. This venerable abbey was appropriated by the Bavarian Government about the middle of the nineteenth century, a compensation of L10,000 being paid to the Scots College in Rome. {103}
A valuable MS. consisting of selections from the homilies of the Fathers of the Church, in the actual handwriting of St. Marianus himself, was presented to the Benedictine Abbey, Fort-Augustus, by the last survivor of the community of the Scots Monastery, Ratisbon, and is one of the greatest treasures of the Fort-Augustus library.
6—St. Modenna, or Medana, Virgin, A.D. 518.
This saint was an Irish virgin, who received the monastic habit from St. Patrick himself, and was a dear friend of St. Bridget. She took up her abode in Scotland, where she founded many monasteries for women. Some of these foundations were in Strathclyde, but the greatest of them was in Galloway, at the place now styled Kirkmaiden (formerly Kirkmedan), where St. Medan's Well and Cave may still be seen.
St. Modenna is said to have lived to the age of 130 years and to have died at Longforgan, near Dundee, after having made during the course of her long life three pilgrimages to Rome, barefoot and clad in hair-cloth.
Edinburgh probably takes its name from Medana. Her sanctuary, marking, it was said, {104} one of her monastic foundations, and known as "St. Edana's," was a place of pilgrimage long before the time of King Edwin who was once supposed to have given the city its designation. The discovery of the foundations of a much more ancient building under St. Margaret's Chapel in Edinburgh Castle, in 1918, seems to corroborate the statement in an ancient Latin life of this Saint of the erection by her of a church on the top of Edinburgh Rock, while it strengthens the tradition of the origin of the name, Edana's Burgh. Maiden Castle is really Medan's (or Medana's) Castle. A new Catholic church, situated in St. Meddan's Street, Troon, was erected in 1911 and dedicated to this saint in conjunction with Our Lady.
7—St. Palladius, Bishop, A.D. (about) 430.
St. Prosper of Aquitaine tells us that this saint was a Roman deacon who was sent by Pope Celestine I. to those Irish who were already Christians, that he might be their bishop. After founding several churches in Ireland, and meeting with opposition from the pagans there, he left that country for Scotland, where he founded churches in the Mearns. He died at Fordun, and his relics were still preserved there {105} in 1409, when the Archbishop of St. Andrews placed them in a new and costly shrine adorned with gold and gems. The ruins of his chapel are still to be seen there and a well bears his name. "Paldy Fair" is still held at Auchinblae in the parish of Fordoun (Kincardineshire); it formerly lasted eight days.
Pope Leo XIII. in his Bull concerning the restoration of the Scottish hierarchy in 1878, refers to the share of St. Palladius in the evangelisation of the country. "St. Palladius," he says, "deacon of the Roman Church, is said to have preached the Faith of Christ there (in Scotland) in the fifth century."
The same Pontiff, in 1898, restored this saint's feast to Scotland.
11—St. Drostan, Abbot, 6th century.
This saint was of Scottish birth, being descended from King Aidan of Dalriada, the friend of St. Columba. He was sent over to that saint, then in Ireland, to be educated and trained for the religious state. He eventually became a monk at a monastery known as Dalquongal, of which in course of time he became abbot. After some time he passed over to {106} Scotland where he lived as a hermit near Glenesk, in Angus. He afterwards entered the monastery of Iona, and while dwelling under the rule of St. Columba accompanied that saint to the district of Buchan, Aberdeenshire, and was made by him abbot of the monastery of Deer, which St. Columba founded on land given to him by the ruler of the district, whose son had been restored to health during a severe illness by the saint's prayers. The name Deer is said to have originated in the tears (deara) shed by Drostan when he parted from his beloved master.
St. Drostan preached the gospel in the district of Inverness-shire known as Glen-Urquhart which in Catholic ages bore the name of "St. Drostan's Urquhart." Here a plot of ground, said to have been cultivated by the saint when he lived there as its apostle, is still known as "St. Drostan's Croft." In St. Ninian's Chapel, in the glen, was preserved the saint's cross, and the custodian of the relic had the use of the "Dewar's (or keeper's) Croft" as a reward for his services.
St. Drostan died in his monastery of Deer and was buried at Aberdourwhere miracles {107} were wrought at his tomb. Many churches in theNorth of Scotland bore his name; in Caithness were Halkirk andCannisbay; in Angus, Edzell and Lochee; in Inverness-shire, Alvie andUrquhart; in Banffshire, Aberlour and Rothiemay; in Aberdeenshire,Deer and Aberdour. At Westfield in Caithness is St. Drostan's BurialGround; at Lochlee is "Droustie's Meadow" and "Droustie's Well."Other wells bore his name in various districts. One was at Aberlour,and there were five between Edzell and Aberdour.
St. Drostan's Fairs were held each year at Rothiemay, Aberlour (for three days) and Old Deer. The last named, which formerly lasted for eight days, is still kept up. This is one of the few instances in which the old fair day of Catholic times has survived. In too many cases these remnants of Catholic ages disappeared during the last century. Pope Leo XIII. restored the feast of this saint in 1898. It was formerly celebrated in Scotland in December.
12—St. Donald, Hermit, A.D. (about) 716.
A local tradition speaks of the sojourn of this saint in the Glen of Ogilvy, in Forfarshire, {108} where he lived a secluded life for some years. He was not, strictly speaking, a hermit, as his nine virgin daughters shared his solitude, and spent their time like St. Donald in the almost constant practice of prayer and contemplation. No reliable record remains of the course of his life or of the date and circumstances of his death.
18—The Nine Maidens, 8th century.
These were the daughters of St. Donald, mentioned above.
During the lifetime of their father, these maidens lived with him in strict seclusion in the Glen of Ogilvy. Having devoted their youth to the Religious Life, they were loth to return to the world when their father's death left them without a protector. They accordingly entered the monastery for women which St. Darlugdach, an Irish nun and the friend of St. Bridget (or as some say St. Bridget herself), had founded at Abernethy. Here they spent the remainder of their lives.
There were many dedications in Scotland to these saints. The ancient church of Finhaven in Forfarshire, a chapel at Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, {109} called the "Chapel of the Nine Maidens," and another, bearing a like designation, at Tough, in the same county, are some of them.
Other associations are still to be found in the many holy wells whichare called after them, at Strathmartin, Glamis and Oathlaw(Forfarshire), Old Aberdeen and Pitsligo (Aberdeenshire), Newburgh(Fife) and Mid-Calder (near Edinburgh).
These saints were honoured together in Catholic ages on this day.
St. Thenew or Thenog, A.D. 514.
The history of the early life of this saint is involved in obscurity. There are various legends relating to it; but recent historians reject them as spurious. St. Thenew was the mother of St. Mungo or Kentigern; she is said by Jocelin in his life of St. Mungo (written in a later age) to have been befriended by St. Serf, and baptised by him, when she was cast ashore near his dwelling. The fact, however, is disputed by modern critics, on account of chronological difficulties.
At an early period a chapel dedicated to St. Thenew existed in Glasgow; but at the {110} Reformation it was destroyed. The street leading to this chapel was known for centuries as "St. Thenew's Gate"; it is now called Argyll Street. The chapel had been popularly styled "San Theneuke's Kirk," and its name still survives in the corrupted form of "St. Enoch's"—the modern designation of an important square in the city with its large railway station and hotel. Close by the chapel was a holy well bearing the saint's name.
22—St. Dabius or Bavins, Priest.
Some historians have maintained that this saint was a native ofIreland; but the Scottish tradition affirms that he was born inPerthshire, and that he became a recluse in his native parish ofWeem, where he built a small chapel.
The shelf of the great rock of Weem, upon which the chapel formerly stood, is still called "Chapel Rock." A holy well hard by is called after the saint.
This well was once much frequented by pilgrims. It was a common opinion that St. Dabius would grant any wish made there if an offering were thrown into the water. When the well was cleaned out some years ago a large number of coins was discovered; these were {111} evidently offerings of the kind. There was an ancient burial ground at Weems which bore the name of the saint, and on his feast-day a fair was held annually there.
The name Kildavie (Church of Davius) which is found in the parish of Kilblane, in Bute, and also in the parish of Kilninian, in Mull, testifies to ancient churches in honour of St. Davius in those localities. The Church of Kippen, Stirlingshire, is also dedicated to this saint, under the designation of "Movean."
3—St. Walthen or Waltheof, Abbot, A.D. 1160.
He was the son of Simon, Earl of Hunting don, and Maud, grand-niece of William the Conqueror. After the death of her first husband, Maud married David, King of Scotland, one of the sons of St. Margaret. The early life of the young Walthen was consequently spent at the Scottish Court, where he edified all who knew him by his purity of life and diligent practice of the Christian virtues. Desiring to embrace the religious life, Walthen {112} left Scotland, and entered the monastery of Nostell in Yorkshire, belonging to the Austin Canons. His holiness, attested by miracles, procured the esteem of his contemporaries, and led to his appointment, while still young, as Prior of the monastery of Kirkham, in the same county. Attracted by the reputation of the Cistercians, he resolved to pass into that Order, and was encouraged in his purpose by St. Aelred, Cistercian Abbot of Rievaulx, who became his attached friend. In spite of the remonstrances of his religious brethren, and the avowed indignation of his kindred, Walthen persevered in his resolution, and took the Cistercian habit at Rievaulx, where he eventually made his profession as a monk.
He was made Abbot of the Scottish abbey of Melrose, which he ruled till his death. In the later years of his life he was nominated Archbishop of St. Andrew's; but his humility shrank from the burden, and he prevailed upon his religious superiors to prevent the election. He died at Melrose at an advanced age. Many miracles are attributed to him, even during life, and fifty years after death his body was found to be incorrupt. {113}
9—St. Berchan, Bishop.
This Irish saint spent a good part of his life in Scotland. Few particulars of his career now remain to us, but he laboured near Stirling as a missionary. Some traces of devotion to him are still existing. The name of Kilbarchan, in the county of Renfrew, proves the connection of the saint with that neighbourhood. St. Barchan's Fair was held there annually. In the same county is to be found an ancient Celtic cross erected in honour of St. Berchan. Another fair was at Tain; this is evident from an ancient charter of that burgh, in which it is stated that St. Barquhan's Fair is "held on the 3rd day after the Feast of St. Peter ad Vincula, commonly called Lambmes." St. Peter ad Vincula, or, as it is usually called, St. Peter's Chains, is a feast which falls on August 1st, hence St. Berchan's Fair, in celebration of his feast, was held on the 4th. Lambmes or Lammas was the ancient name of this feast of St. Peter and was derived from the Saxonhlaf(loaf). It had its origin in the offering at Mass of a loaf made from the first-fruits of the harvest. {114}
6—Blessed Alexander, Monk, A.D. 1229.
In the account given of St. Matilda (April 11) allusion was made to her brother Alexander, who, concealing his royal origin, entered the Cistercian monastery of Foigni, in the diocese of Laon, France. He died some years before his holy sister on May 4th, 1229. His feast is celebrated by his Order on this day. A fair was formerly held in his honour at Keith, in Banffshire.
9—St. Oswald, King and Martyr, A.D. 642.
This illustrious King was the son of a pagan. Ethelfrid, King of Northumbria. He was compelled on the death of his father to seek safety in the north, and took refuge with his two brothers at Iona, where all three received baptism. Eanfrid, the eldest, obtained the throne of Northumbria, but relapsed into paganism. He met with a violent death at the hands of the British prince, Cadwalla, and Oswald succeeded him as king. Cadwalla was defeated near Hexham by Oswald's inferior army, the Christian prince having previously erected a large wooden cross on the field of {115} battle, before which he knelt in prayer for the success of his arms, and promised, with the consent of his soldiers, that all would embrace Christianity should God grant them the victory.
On ascending the throne Oswald procured a missionary for his people from Iona in the person of Aidan, who became eventually the first Bishop of Lindisfarne. The saintly King did not disdain to act as interpreter to his people of the instructions given by Aidan in the Celtic tongue. Oswald reigned but eight years, yet they were years of blessing for the nation The King led the way in the practice of the Christian virtues, especially of charity to the poor. It was on the occasion of the distribution to a hungry multitude at the palace gates of the food prepared for the King's repast, and the division of the costly silver dish itself amongst the poverty-stricken people, that St. Aidan, who was about to join the King at a banquet, cried out enthusiastically as he seized Oswald's right hand, "May this hand never corrupt!" The utterance was prophetic, as the sequel will show. {116}
The saintly King met his death on the field of battle, when resisting the invasion of his dominions by Penda, the pagan king of Mercia. His dying words were a prayer for the souls of all who had fallen in the battle. Many miracles were wrought by his intercession and by the use of particles of the cross he had erected. His right hand and arm, in accordance with St. Aidan's prophecy, remained in corrupt till the time of the Venerable Bede, who tells us that they were honoured in the Church of St. Peter at Bamborough. His head was taken to the monastery of Lindisfarne; it was eventually deposited in St. Cuthbert's shrine and was carried with the remains of that saint to Durham Minster.
Many monasteries and churches both in England and Scotland bore the name of St. Oswald. Those in Northumbria and Cumbria can scarcely be termed Scottish in these days, but Kirkoswald near Maybole and Carluke in Lanarkshire possessed respectively a church and chapel dedicated to the holy King. His death occurred on August 5th, but his feast has been transferred to this day. Devotion to St. {117} Oswald flourished greatly in Ireland as well as in Scotland and England, and extended to the Continent.
St. Angus.
At Balquhidder, in Perthshire, there is a local tradition regarding a saint of this name. He is said to have been a disciple of St. Columba, and to have preached the Faith in that neighbourhood. His name is preserved in theClach Aenais(Stone of Angus), a slab bearing a representation of a priest holding a chalice. This stone formerly stood within the old church at Balquhidder, and it was the custom to stand or kneel upon it during the solemnization of a baptism or marriage. As this rite seemed to Presbyterian authorities to savour of superstition, the stone was removed to the churchyard about a century ago. Near the church are the foundations of the "Chapel of Angus." A hillock hard by is pointed out as the spot where the saint preached, and it still bears his name.
"Angus Fair" was formerly held at King's House, in the parish of Balquhidder, on the Wednesday after the second Tuesday in August. {118}
This locates the saint's feast-day (which the fair doubtless commemorated) in the early part of August, although the exact date is uncertain.
11—St. Blaan, Bishop, A.D. 590.
He was born in Ireland of a noble family, and after spending seven years under the direction of St. Comgall and St. Kenneth, passed over to Bute, to St. Cathan, his mother's brother. He is said to have made later a pilgrimage to Rome. The monastery he founded became the site of the well-known Cathedral of Dunblane a place which derives its name from the saint where the mediaeval building begun by David I. is still to be seen. Among the many miracles attributed to the saint is the restoration to life of a dead boy. He is also said to have rekindled the extinguished lamps in his church during the night office, on one occasion, by striking fire from his fingers as from a flint; the miracle being vouchsafed by God to clear the saint of any imputation of negligence in his duty.
St. Blaan became eventually a bishop. After his death devotion to him became popular, {119} and many dedications bear witness to his callus. There was a church of St. Blaan in Dumfries and another at Kilblane in Argyll. The ruins of the saint's church in the parish of Kingarth, Bute, form an object of great interest to antiquarians, and stand amid surroundings of extraordinary beauty and charm. His bell is still preserved at Dunblane. The saint's feast was restored to the Scottish Calendar by Leo XIII. in 1898.
18—St. Inan, Confessor, 9th century.
In the southern district of Scotland are to be found many traces of thecultusof a saint bearing this name, though his history is not known.
Some consider him a native of Ayrshire, since the greater part of the remains connected with him are to be found in that county, where he seems to have spent many years of his life. Others claim him as a native of Ireland, and it has been conjectured that his name is merely a corruption of Finan. There are no conclusive proofs in support of either opinion.
The chief place of residence of St. Inan {120} seems to have been at Irvine, though many interesting remains recall his memory at Beith On the Cuff Hill in the latter parish is a cleft in the rock which was originally of natural formation, but has been enlarged by art; it bears the name of "St. Inan's Chair." At a short distance from it is a double spring of abundant and excellent water known as "St. Inan's Well." On the day corresponding to the 18th August, old style, a fair is annually held in the vicinity, which bears the name of "Tenant's (probably a corruption of St. Inan's) Fair." Inchinnan (Renfrewshire) is said to signify "Inans' Isle."
Another well bearing the saint's name is at Lamington in Lanarkshire, where the church was dedicated to him. At Southenan, Ayrshire, was another church or chapel bearing the name of St. Inan; for a charter of James IV. in 1509, confirms the donation of John, Lord Sempill, of a perpetual Mass therein.
24—St. Yrchard or Merchard, Bishop, 5th or 6th century.
This saint was born of pagan parents in the district ofKincardine-O'Neil, Aberdeenshire. {121}
In his early youth he embraced the Christian Faith, and was ordained priest by St. Ternan, who associated the young man with himself in his missionary labours. In later life he journeyed to Rome, and was there consecrated bishop. Returning to Scotland he ended his days in Aberdeenshire. At Kincardine-O'Neil a church was erected over the spot where the chariot which was conveying his remains to burial was miraculously stopped. A fair was formerly held there annually on St. Merchard's feast and during the octave.
One of the saint's churches was in Glenmoriston. The ancient burial ground which adjoins it is still in use, and some few stones of the old building are yet to be seen there. The local tradition tells that the saint when labouring as a missionary in Strathglass with two companions, discovered, by previous revelation, three bright new bells buried in the earth Taking one for himself, he gave the others to his fellow-missionaries, bidding each to erect a church on the spot where his bell should ring for the third time of its own accord; undertaking to do the same with regard to his own. {122} One of these companions founded a church at Glenconvinth, in Strathglass, the other at Broadford, Isle of Skye.
St. Merchard travelled towards Glenmoriston. His bell rang first atSuidh Mhercheird(Merchard's Seat), again atFuaran Mhercheird(Merchard's Well), near Ballintombuie, where a spring of excellent water treasured by both Catholics and Protestants still bears his name, and a third time at the spot where the old churchyard, calledClachan Mhercheird, close by the river Moriston, recalls his memory.
The bell of the saint was preserved there for centuries. After the church fell into decay's early in the seventeenth century, the bell remained in the churchyard. The narrow-pointed spar of granite on which it rested still stands there. The bell, unfortunately, was wantonly removed, by Protestant strangers about thirty years ago, to the great indignation of the inhabitants of the glen, Protestant as well as Catholic; it has never since been discovered.
Tradition has it that the bell was wont to ring of its own accord when a funeral came {123} in sight, and that whenever it was removed from its usual position it was invariably found restored miraculously to its place, Many persons still living in the glen have seen the bell, and the grandparents of some of them used to relate that they heard it ring in their youth. Devotion to this saint was very strong in that neighbourhood in Catholic times, and he is still regarded by Catholics as the local patron.
25—St. Ebba, Abbess, A.D. 683.
She was sister to St. Oswald, and to Oswy, his successor, Kings of Northumbria. She founded a monastery at Ebchester, on the Derwent, and another and more important one at Coldingham. It was at the latter place that the great St. Ethelreda received her monastic training. St. Ebba was buried at Coldingham, but portions of her relics were afterwards placed in the tomb of St. Cuthbert at Durham. St. Abb's Head, the well-known promontory on the coast of Northumberland, takes its name from this saint.
30—St. Fiacre, Hermit, 7th century.
He was born in Ireland about the year {124} 590. A hermitage and holy well near Kilkenny are called after him, and were frequented as late as the beginning of this century by pilgrims who wished to pay him honour. After labouring as a missionary in Scotland, St. Fiacre ended his days at Breuil, near Meaux, in France, where he became famous for miracles both before and after his death; he was invoked as the patron saint of the province of Brie, and his shrine became a famous place of pilgrimage.
St. Fiacre's day was kept with devotion in Scotland. The Breviary of Aberdeen contains the office for the saint's feast. Several Scottish churches bore his name. Among these may be mentioned the ancient church and burial ground of St. Fiacre, or, as he is often styled, St. Fittack, at Nigg, Kincardineshire, on the opposite bank of the Dee from Aberdeen. The bay in the vicinity is known as St. Picker's Bay, and St. Fittack's Well, a clear spring near the roofless ruins of the old church, still recalls his memory. Its existence is a strong proof of the saint's residence in the neighbourhood at some time in his life. The fame of this well {125} for healing powers survived the downfall of religion, and it became necessary to prevent recourse to it by severe penalties. Thus in the records of the Kirk Session of Aberdeen for 1630 we read:—"Margrat Davidson, spous to Andro Adam, fined L5 for sending her child to be washed at St. Fiackre's Well and leaving an offering."
The large numbers of pilgrims conveyed in hackney coaches to the French shrine of this saint at Breuil, caused those vehicles to be known asfiacres, a designation they still bear.
31—St. Aidan, Bishop, A.D. 651.
This saint was a native of Ireland, where, after some years of monastic life at Inniscattery in the Shannon, he was consecrated bishop. Later on he entered the monastery of Iona. He became the first bishop of Lindisfarne, and the helper of St. Oswald in the conversion of Northumbria. His life was one of great poverty and detachment, and his example had a wonderful effect on his flock. He used to travel about his diocese on foot, accompanied by his clergy, spending the time occupied by {126} the journey in prayer and holy reading. His alms were abundant, and his manner to all with whom he came in contact kind and fatherly. His miracles, even during life, were many and striking.
St. Aidan was the founder of Old Melrose, which stood a short distance from the site of the more modern Cistercian Abbey whose ruins are familiar to travellers. He also assisted the Abbess, St. Ebba, in the foundation of the celebrated monastery of Coldingham, which consisted of two distinct communities of men and women.
After ruling his see for seventeen years, he died at Bamborough in a tent which he had caused to be erected by the wall of the church. St. Cuthbert, then a youthful shepherd, as he kept his flock on the hills, had a vision of the soul of St. Aidan being borne by angels to Heaven. It was this vision which determined him to seek admission to Melrose. Many churches bear St. Aidan's name. Among them are those of Cambusnethan in Lanarkshire and Menmuir in Angus. At the latter place is the saint's holy well, which was renowned for the {127} cure of asthma and other complaints. Another holy well called after St. Aidan is to be found at Fearn in Angus. The ancient church of Kenmore, Perthshire, was known as Inchadin. Keltney Burn in the same neighbourhood, is called in Gaelic "St. Aidan's Stream."