4th February - St Modan, Abbot

Modan was the son of an Irish chieftain who came to Scotland in 522 to his first oratory at what became known as Balmodhan (St Modan’s Town), a short distance from the site of the old Priory of Ardchattan near Loch Etive. Close by a spring called St Modan’s Well brought pilgrims to honour the saint. A flat stone nearby was known as St Modan’s Seat.

The church at Roseneath near Loch Long in Dumbartonshire was dedicated to St Modan and nearby was a well which was said to have had miraculous properties.

Kilmodan - the Church of Modan - above Loch Riddan, on the Kyles of Bute, was another of St Modan’s foundations. Other parts of Scotland also claim connection with this saint. He is said to have preached the Faith as far east as Falkirk and Stirling.

After a life of extreme austerity St Modan, finding his end approaching, retired to the solitude of Rosneath, where he died.

Devotion to him was very popular in Scotland. Scott alludes to it in the “Lay of the Last Minstrel “: "Some to Saint Modan made their vows,
Some to Saint Mary of the Lowes." - Canto VI

Another legend tells that he built a chapel at Dryburgh in the Scottish Borders which in time became Dryburgh Abbey.