[MR] Wikipedia: Columba Commands Loch Ness Monster

[Garth Groff via Atlantia]

Noble Friends, Especially Fellow Scots,

On this date in 565 Saint Columba is said to have performed a miracle 
when he banished a monster in the River Ness in Scotland. The incident 
was recorded by his hagiographer Saint Adomnán in the 7th century: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Ness_Monster .

Whether you believe in monsters or not, or medieval hagiography for that 
matter, this appears to be the earliest account of the creature. 
Adomnán's story was later identified with the alleged monster in Loch 
Ness, and the rest is history (or perhaps hoax, and certainly tourist 
hokum), as the saying goes.

Saint Columba is one of the major figures in early Irish Christianity. 
He evangelized the Picts of Scotland and founded the famous abbey on 
Iona: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columba .

Adomnán himself is an interesting and important historical figure. He 
was heavily involved in both church and secular politics during the 7th 
century. Adomnán served as Abbot of Iona from 679 to his death in 704. 
He was later canonized and remains a popular saint in both Ireland and 
Scotland: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adomnán .

Yours Aye,


Lord Mungo Napier, That Crazy Scot