Sanda Island is the reputed burial place of Saint Ninian.

Sanda Island is located on the southern point of the Kintyre peninsula, on the south-west side of Scotland. It has a land area of 151 hectares and a highest point elevation of 123 meters above sea level. Interestingly, according to the 2001 census Sanda Island only bore a population of 1 person. This has reportedly increased since.

Sanda Island is known colloquially by many surrounding island locals as Spoon Island, due to its apparent resemblance to an upturned spoon. It came to be known as Sandaigh in Gaelic. The Norse referred to the island as “Sandey”, translating into “sandy” in English. Although some debate rests around it, Sanda Island was also called “Havin” by the Norse, which is thought to be a reference to the term “haven” due to the safe harbor on the North Coast of Sanda Island.

Sanda Island is the legendary burial place of Saint Ninian. This claim is impossible to prove or disprove today, but there are some signs which would favor the idea that it was true. The most prominent of these is the fact that Sanda Island has on it the remains of a chapel built by Saint Ninian, and most records indicate that it is within vicinity of it that he was buried. It is further said that an alder tree was planted on top of his grave.

The owner of Sanda Island opened up a tavern in 2003, which he claims is the most remote tavern in Scotland. There is also accommodation upon the island. A lighthouse also exists, it is commonly referred to as the ship, due to a play of light which makes its beam produce a ship shaped shadow.

Saint Cuthbert was a Scottish bishop, who was at one point regarded as the most known saint in England.

Saint Cuthbert was born in 634 in Dunbar, Northumbria, an area roughly thirty miles east of modern Edinburgh. Legend holds that his calling to become a monk came when he was working as a Shepard as a young boy. He is said to have had a vision of the soul of Saint Aiden being carried by angels, which inspired him to become a monk in 651.

Shortly after joining the monastery, Saint Cuthbert left to become a soldier, only to return a few years later. He applied the discipline gained as a soldier to his daily life as a monk and quickly became known for his strong sense of piety and diligence.

In 664, the priory at which Saint Cuthbert served was victim to sickness, where a number of deaths occurred including the prior. This situation saw Saint Cuthbert promoted to prior. In the following years Saint Cuthbert is said to have traveled throughout South Scotland and North England helping the poor and in some instances performing miracles of healing. Eventually this began to lead to Saint Cuthbert leading a more and more reclusive life in his spare time. He constructed a small cell for himself at Dull, which later came to be the sight of the University of St. Andrews.

By 676, Saint Cuthbert was living a hermit life on the island on the Farne Islands. It was recorded that he would not come from his cell but would only open a small window through which he would give blessings. Interestingly enough, he also instituted rules to those visiting him on the island, which were meant to protect the local duck population, this is thought to be the first instance of bird protection laws.

By 684 Saint Cuthbert was convinced to leave his hermit life and become Bishop of Lindisfarne. He left this position within two years and returned to his cell, where he died in 687.

In part, the fame of St Cuthbert can be contributed to an event which passed several years after his death. Legend holds that when the casket of Saint Cuthbert was opened years after his death, it was found that his body had been perfectly preserved, a sign that is believed to indicate that an individual was indeed a living saint.

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.