Please don't shout at me, yes I know St Columba was born in Ireland
so he is not a Scot. But he was so important in early Scottish history that I had to include him. His legacy of the community of Iona has been with us for over 1400 years.
The recollection of St columba's life was written about by Adamnan (who died in 702AD) is not to be relied upon for its historical facts but it does give use some idea about St columba
St. Columba was born in 521AD in Donegal in Ireland. Columba is said to have been of royal descent on his father's side and his mothers. Both his parents were educated by a priest who later took Columba under his wing. Columba later founded monasteries in Derry Durrow and Kells.
King Diamit had for some reason executed a member of Columbas family and he and Columba feel out. Columba had a fiery temper and raised an army against King Diamit. In 561AD King Diamit defeated Columba, for his crimes he was excommunicated and as a penance was told to covert to Christianity and this had to be done away from Ireland.
The Scotii from Ireland had been emigrating across the water to Dalriada(modern day Argyll) so it was only natural for columba to follow. In 563 with 12 companions, he established a monastery on Iona, it is also said the he was the one to convert King Bridei (Brude) to Christianity, Bridei was the leader of the Picts in the Highlands. St. columba's exploits were perhaps no different from any other cleric at the time but St. Adamnan's writing which were passed down from generation to generation made Columba seem larger then life which he may have been.
Stained glass window depicting St. Columba.
We do know that the abbey and community on Iona was of great importance to Scotland this is shown but the fact that 48 Scottish King are buried on Iona and the community survives to this day (more on Iona later)
Picture of St. Columba.
 |
 |
 |
For some lovely web graphics visit Eos just click the link above
for some lovely Celtic designs visit Aon just click the link above