Scottish Blog

The Monymusk Reliquary is a reliquary that is said to holds some remains of Saint Columba.

Presently, the Monymusk Reliquary rests at the Museum of Scotland. Previous to this it was passed down between various owners, holders and army leaders, almost like a Scottish heirloom, although unlike a typical heirloom it was said that the Monymusk Reliquary held the power to call down saintly assistance for its holder during battles.

The Monymusk Reliquary is a small wooden box, with two hinged doors at the top which form a lid. The outside of the box is coated in a thin sheet of silver. There are also a number of cooper alloy hinges and fittings. The Monymusk Reliquary is also interesting in the fact that it is decorated in both a Celtic and Irish style. While the shape and design of the box itself are distinctively Irish, the decorations with depictions of jumping animals are a Celtic design.

The Monymusk Reliquary was constructed in the 8th century, most probably around 750 A.D. As its exact movements were not thoroughly documented it can be hard to discern the exact history and ownership of the Monymusk Reliquary. It is known though that it was passed to Arborath Abbey sometime during the reign of William I. From here it was passed to the Forglen Abbey. It is a thorough belief that the Monymusk reliquary was held by the forces of Robert the Bruce during the Battle of Bannockburn.