ss, in Ross, a monastery, over which
{68} he ruled for more than fifty years. During his residence in
Scotland he founded a church on a small island in the beautiful lake
now known as Loch Maree, which takes its name from this saint.

St. Maelrubha acquired a great reputation for sanctity throughout the
west coast of Scot land and the islands adjacent, where he was one of
the most popular of the Irish saints in Catholic ages. An old
Scottish tradition, quoted by the Aberdeen Breviary, says that he met
his death at the hands of pagan Norwegians, at Urquhart, in the Black
Isle, on the eastern side of Ross-shire, and that he was left lying
severely wounded, but still alive, for three days, during which
angels consoled him. A bright light, hovering over the spot, is said
to have discovered the dying saint to a neighbouring priest, and thus
procured for him the participation in "the Body of the Immaculate
Lamb" before he expired. His title to martyrdom is, however, disputed
by later authorities.

The devotion of Catholics to this saint is attested by the numerous
dedications of churches to his memory. At least twenty-one of these
{69} are enumerated by antiquarians. Chief are Applecross (where he
was laid to rest), Loch Maree, Urquhart (the reputed place of his
martyrdom), Portree, Arasaig, Forres, Fordyce, Keith, Contin and
Gairloch. In these dedications the saint's name assumes various
forms, such as Maree, Mulruy, Mury, Samareirs (St. Mareirs, at
Forres), Summaruff (St. Maruff, at Fordyce), and many others.

Many place of interest in connection with this saint may still be
found. At Applecross, in the vicinity of the ruins of the church, is
the martyr's grave, called _Cladh Maree_, near the churchyard is
"Maelrubha's River," while two miles away is the saint's seat, called
in Gaelic _Suidhe Maree_. Several other traces of him are to be
discovered in the place-names of the neighbourhood.

Loch Maree is the most interesting locality connected with St.
Maelrubha. A small island in the loch called _Innis Maree_ contains
an ancient chapel and a burial place. Near it is a deep well,
renowned for the efficacy of its water in the cure of lunacy. An oak
tree hard by is studded with nails, to each of which was {70}
formerly attached a shred of clothing belonging to some pilgrim
visitor. Many pennies and other coins have at various times been
driven edgewise into the bark of the tree, and it is fast closing
over them. These are