ought to be the site of St. Buite's
foundation. Near it are still to be seen the remains of an ancient
fortress known as Carbuddo or _Caer Buido_ (Buite's Fort). The
saint is said to have foretold the birth of St. Columba, which
occurred on the very day upon which St. Buite himself died.

11--St. Obert.

All that is now known of this saint is that he was honoured in Perth
in Catholic ages as the patron saint of bakers. On December 10, known
as St. Obert's Eve, the bakers of that city were accustomed to pass
through the streets in procession by torchlight, playing pipes and
beating drums, and wearing various disguises. One of their number
used to wear a dress known as "The Devil's Coat." Another rode on a
horse shod with men's shoes. In its {178} primitive form this pastime
was probably some kind of sacred drama representing the chief
features in the life of the saint; but its character had changed in
the course of time.

On account of their connection with the ancient faith such
performances gave great offence to the Puritans. In 1581 "an Act
against idolatrous and superstitious pastimes, especially against the
Sanct Obert's Play," was issued by the Session. It seems to have had
little effect, for again in 1587 the bakers were required "to take
order for the amendment of the blasphemous and heathenish plays of
Sanct Obert's pastime." Eventually in 1588, several "insolent young
men" were imprisoned for their "idolatrous pastime in playing of
Sanct Obert's play, to the great grief of the conscience of the
faithful and infamous slander of the haill congregation."

17--St. Crunmael, Abbot.

No particulars of the life of this saint are extant, beyond the
fact that he was one of the Abbots of Iona. {179}

18--St. Flannan, Confessor.

This saint was of Irish nationality; the precise period at which
he lived is uncertain. The group of islands to the west of Lewis
are called after him, the Flannan Islands. On the largest of these
seven islands are the remains of a chapel known as _Teampull
Beannachadh_ (St. Flannan's Chapel). This seems to indicate that
the saint resided there at some period, though no record remains
of the fact beyond the traditional designation of the ruins. The
Flannan Islands have always been regarded by the people of Lewis
with almost superstitious veneration.

St. Manire, Bishop, A.D. 824.

This was a saint of Scottish nationality, who laboured in Deeside.
He was especially honoured at Crathie