On this day 520AD: Feast of St Kessog

MARCH 10 is traditionally viewed as the feast day of St Kessog - the patron saint of Scotland prior to Andrew.
A church bearing Kessog's name in Balloch. Picture: ContributedA church bearing Kessog's name in Balloch. Picture: Contributed
A church bearing Kessog's name in Balloch. Picture: Contributed

Born in Ireland around 460, he was the son of the King of Cashel in the royal family of Munster, and reportedly worked miracles as a child growing up on the Emerald isle.

On one occasion, while playing with the sons of visiting princes, all the children drowned in an accident - except Kessog.

Hide Ad

But after a night of praying, Kessog brought all the children back to life, averting a possible war.

It is said that Kessog was sent to a monastery to be educated, possibly by St Patrick, who placed him under the instruction of St Machaloi in the modern County Down.

Kessog later travelled to Scotland to become a missionary bishop, and based himself at Monks’ Island in Loch Lomond, spending most of his time active in Lennox and south Perthshire.

He evangelised the area around Monks’ Island, before being martyred - possibly at Bandry - for his beliefs, in 520AD.

A monument known as St Kessog’s Cairn was created on the spot.

The church of St McKessog in Luss, on the banks of Loch Lomond, is named after the saint, with an effigy of Kessog contained within.

Hide Ad

He is said to have brought Christianity to the area around 10 years before his death.

The medieval parish churches of Comrie and Auchterarder were both dedicated to Kessog, and may have been founded by the saint or his followers.

Hide Ad

The Kessock Bridge, and area in Inverness of the same name are named after him, along with the Kessog North Sea oil field.

Legend has it that his remains were taken to Bannockburn, and used in Robert the Bruce’s rallying call, demanding that the Scots win the battle in Kessog’s memory.

FOLLOW US

SCOTSMAN TABLET AND MOBILE APPS

Related topics: