Ninian (6th century)

Ninian is one of the best-known names among the Scottish saints. However there are conflicting stories of his life. Traditionally, he was believed to belong to the 4th/5th century, to have travelled to Rome, meeting Martin of Tours on his travels, been ordained a bishop there and returned to Whithorn, where he built Candida Casa and founded a monastic community.

However the latest archaeological evidence suggest that Ninian belongs to the 6th century and was not the original founder of the community at Whithorn. He probably did travel to Rome and build Candida Casa and is certainly the community’s most famous member. Dedications to him exist at Wick, and burial grounds at Navidale and Glen Urquhart.

See Towill p. 195, Cat p. 31, 39, 40 and 134,  MacQuarrie p. 50, Woodside p. 1, Ecc Hist p. 52, 68-73 and 334.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eccl. Hist: 52, 334 at the head of Wick is the chapel of St Ninian – could be the North Head or the Head of Wick Bay near where the service bridge spans the river. The second is the more likely.