Mary of the Lowes."
Canto VI. {22}

7--St. Ronan, Bishop, A.D. 737.

Dr. Skene, in his "Celtic Scotland," expresses the opinion that
this saint was a contemporary and associate of St. Modan. It is
remarkable that where a foundation of one saint exists, traces of
the other are found in the vicinity. Thus near Rosneath is
Kilmaronock, where is St. Maronock's Well, and on the opposite side
of Loch Etive, not far from Balmodhan, is Kilmaronog. Both names
signify "Church" or "Cell of Ronan."

It is a common feature in the Celtic designations of saints to find
the prefix _mo_ (my) and the affix _og_ (little) added to the
simple name by way of reverent endearment. This is the case in the
names just referred to; Kilmaronog and Kilmaronock both mean
literally "Church of my little (or dear) Ronan."

Many legends surround this saint, but very little authentic
information can be gleaned concerning the circumstances of his
life. Many dedications to him are to be found on lonely isles and
retired spots on the west coast, which seem to point to a custom of
seeking solitude from time to time. Thus a little island near {23}
Raasay is called Ronay; another sixty miles north-east of the
Lewes, possessing an ancient oratory and Celtic crosses, is called
Rona. An islet on the west coast of the mainland of Shetland is
called St. Ronan's Isle; it becomes an island at high tide only.
The parish church of Iona was called _Teampull Ronain_ and its
burial ground _Cladh Ronain_. St. Ronan is said to have been Abbot
of Kingarth, Bute, where he died in 737. Holy wells bear his name
at Strowan (Perthshire), Chapelton in Strathdon (Aberdeenshire),
and the Butt of Lewis; the latter is famed for the cure of lunacy.

14--St. Conran.

He was a Bishop of Orkney in the seventh century whose name was
illustrious for sanctity, zeal, and austerity of life.

17--St. Finan, Bishop, A.D. 661.

This saint was an Irishman who became a monk in the monastery
founded by St. Columba at Iona. During his monastic life he was
distinguished for the virtues befitting his state, especially
prudence and gravity of demeanour. {24} He was devoted to prayer
and strove zealously to live according to the Divine Will in all
things. When St. Aidan, who had been a monk of Iona, passed to his
heavenly reward, a successor in his see of Lindisfarne was again
sought in that celebrated monastery, and the choice fell upon
Finan. His first care