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The Scottish Saints - Ninian and Columba

© Matthew White

It was during the time of the Picts that Christianity first reached the shores of Scotland. The Catholic Encyclopedia describes St Ninian as the 'first Apostle of Christianity in Scotland'. Many of the inhabitants of Southern Scotland were converted to Christianity by St Ninian. Very little is known about his life or works, although he was engaged in building a church in 397 AD. which dates his period among the Picts to the close of the fourth century. Later references by St Patrick of Ireland and St Columba indicate that, after St Ninian, the Picts abandoned Christianity and returned to their old beliefs.

The Venerable Bede, who wrote the Ecclesiastical History circa 720 AD. tells us that at the time of St Ninian, the Picts were divided into two main groups, the Northern Picts and the Southern Picts. According to Bede, the Southern Picts were Christianised by St Ninian while the Northern Picts were later converted by St Columba. Ninian was, it is believed, a native of Britain who travelled to Rome to study for the priesthood. At that time the capitol of the Southern Pictish Kingdom was Abernethy and a church, dedicated to St Bridget of Kildare in Ireland, was established there circa 432 AD. This church is mentioned in the Pictish Chronicle.

The next person to bring Christianity to the Picts was St Columba. Born in 521 AD. at Garten, County Donegal, Ireland, 7 December, 521; d. 9 June, 597, he was baptised Colum of the clan O'Donnell and it is generally believed that he was descended from one of the Irish kings of the fourth century. He became a priest when he was 25 and was instrumental in setting up religious institutions at Derry, Durrow and Kells in Ireland. He became known as one of the 'Twelve Apostles of Ireland'. Many miracles were attributed to him including turning water into wine!

In 563 AD he and twelve followers landed on the island of Iona off the west coast of Scotland. Here Columba built a monastery and began his crusade to bring Christianity to the Picts. He was aided by Saints Canice and Comgall. They visited King Brude at Inverness where another miracle is said to have taken place. Refused admittance, St Columba made the sign of the cross and the doors flew open. Impressed, the King became a convert to Christianity. He also journeyed to Strathclyde, where he met with St Mungo, who was busy trying to convert the people of that area.

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