COLUMBA (BIRLINN)

How did an Irish aristocrat become the most important figure in early Scottish Christianity? Excommunicated by an Irish synod, founder of a monastery on Iona, missionary among the powerful Pictish warrior-kings, Columba played many roles in life. His memory and legacy were was vigorously promoted after his death in 597, particularly by Abbot Adomnan, whose writings are our main source of information on Columba's career. The final chapters of the book look at the evolution of the cult of Columba from the seventh century onwards.