Saint Inan
Encyclopedia
Saint Inan was the patron saint of Irvine, Ayrshire
, Scotland where he resided during the 9th-century AD. His holy well
still exists in the Kirk Vennel beside the Old Parish kirk, near the River Irvine
. He is reputed to have come from Iona
Uinniau is a name now associated with Ninnian, a developing consensus being that they are one and the same person.
Although he is said to have been a hermit, according to tradition St. Innan often visited the nearby town of Beith
, frequenting Cuff Hill with its Rocking stone
and various other prehistoric monuments. A cleft in the west-front of Lochlands Hill is still known as 'St. Inan's Chair' and said to have been used by the saint as a pulpit
. and a crystal clear holy well existed nearby, now sadly covered over (2006). An unsuccessful search for the saint's writings which were said to be preserved in the library of Bonci, Archbishop of Pisa was made by Colonel Mure of Caldwell
in the 19th-century.
Saint Inan is said to have preached to the assembled people from the chair on the hill and stayed on the site of Cauldhame Cottage. There was not a great population in the area at that time and the people were located not in Beith, but up on the top of the Bigholm near to what were the Beith water dams. The first settlements were in the heavily wooded areas around the dams where people were safe from attack and could get food from the land, and fish in the lochs. The Saints of old went where the people were, and they also tended to go where there had been worship of heathen Gods. It has been suggested that High Bogside Farm, which used to be called Bellsgrove, was really 'Baalsgrove', which fits in with the story of St. Inan going to where the pagan gods were.
The well is also known as St Mary's or the chapel Well. It is situated at Grid reference NS 3226 3851. It lies close to what was probably a chapel dedicated to St Mary. Above the opening is a small stone plaque stating 'St Inan's Well AD 839-1921'.
Saint Inan's chapel stood on the site of the old church in Beith (NS 349 538).
A Saint Inan's well once existed in Fullarton, south of the present harbour. Dundonald Castle
once had a chapel dedicated to Saint Inan.
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
, Scotland where he resided during the 9th-century AD. His holy well
Holy well
A holy well, or sacred spring, is a small body of water emerging from underground and revered either in a Pagan or Christian context, often both. Holy wells were frequently pagan sacred sites that later became Christianized. The term 'holy well' is commonly employed to refer to any water source of...
still exists in the Kirk Vennel beside the Old Parish kirk, near the River Irvine
River Irvine
The River Irvine is a river flowing through southwest Scotland, with its watershed on the Lanarkshire border of Ayrshire at an altitude of above sea-level, near Drumclog, and SW by W of Strathaven...
. He is reputed to have come from Iona
Iona
Iona is a small island in the Inner Hebrides off the western coast of Scotland. It was a centre of Irish monasticism for four centuries and is today renowned for its tranquility and natural beauty. It is a popular tourist destination and a place for retreats...
Uinniau is a name now associated with Ninnian, a developing consensus being that they are one and the same person.
History
Beith
Beith is a small town situated in the Garnock Valley in North Ayrshire, Scotland approximately 20-miles south-west of Glasgow. The town is situated on the crest of a hill and was known originally as the "Hill o' Beith" after its Court Hill.-History:-Name:Beith's name is thought to emanate from...
, frequenting Cuff Hill with its Rocking stone
Rocking stone
Rocking stones are large stones that are so finely balanced that the application of just a small force causes them to rock. They are found throughout the world. Some are man-made megaliths, but others are natural, often left by glaciers.Logan or rocking stones are known in Scotland sometimes as...
and various other prehistoric monuments. A cleft in the west-front of Lochlands Hill is still known as 'St. Inan's Chair' and said to have been used by the saint as a pulpit
Pulpit
Pulpit is a speakers' stand in a church. In many Christian churches, there are two speakers' stands at the front of the church. Typically, the one on the left is called the pulpit...
. and a crystal clear holy well existed nearby, now sadly covered over (2006). An unsuccessful search for the saint's writings which were said to be preserved in the library of Bonci, Archbishop of Pisa was made by Colonel Mure of Caldwell
Lugton
Lugton is a small village or hamlet in East Ayrshire, Scotland with a population of 80 people. The A736 road runs through on its way from Glasgow, to the north, to Irvine in North Ayrshire. Uplawmoor is the first settlement on this 'Lochlibo Road' to the north and Burnhouse is to the south...
in the 19th-century.
Saint Inan is said to have preached to the assembled people from the chair on the hill and stayed on the site of Cauldhame Cottage. There was not a great population in the area at that time and the people were located not in Beith, but up on the top of the Bigholm near to what were the Beith water dams. The first settlements were in the heavily wooded areas around the dams where people were safe from attack and could get food from the land, and fish in the lochs. The Saints of old went where the people were, and they also tended to go where there had been worship of heathen Gods. It has been suggested that High Bogside Farm, which used to be called Bellsgrove, was really 'Baalsgrove', which fits in with the story of St. Inan going to where the pagan gods were.
The Holy well and chapel
A Saint Inan's well once existed in Fullarton, south of the present harbour. Dundonald Castle
Dundonald Castle
Dundonald Castle is situated on a hill overlooking the village of Dundonald, between Kilmarnock and Troon in South Ayrshire, Scotland. Dundonald Castle is a fortified tower house built for Robert II on his accession to the throne of Scotland in 1371 and it was used as a royal residence by the early...
once had a chapel dedicated to Saint Inan.
Variations in the name
His name has several recorded spellings, such as Innan, Inin, Innen, Enen, Ennen and latterly Annan, Anan, Tinnan or even Tennant. He is remembered in local names such as Southannan, near Fairlie.Tennant's day
Beith's annual fair, called Tennant's or Saint Tinnan's Day, was previously on the saint's day, 18 August. It is now held in June. In ancient times the fair is said to have been held on Cuff Hill. It was famous for its show, Cadgers races and sale of horses.See also
- LambroughtonLambroughtonLambroughton is a village in the old Barony of Kilmaurs, North Ayrshire, Scotland. This is a rural area famous for its milk and cheese production and the Ayrshire or Dunlop breed of cattle.-Origins of the name:...
- KilmaursKilmaursKilmaurs is a village in East Ayrshire, Scotland. It lies on the Carmel, 21.1 miles south by west of Glasgow. Population recorded in 2001 Census, 2601- History :...
- River IrvineRiver IrvineThe River Irvine is a river flowing through southwest Scotland, with its watershed on the Lanarkshire border of Ayrshire at an altitude of above sea-level, near Drumclog, and SW by W of Strathaven...
- Lady's WellLady's WellThe Lady's Well is beside the Tour rivulet in Kilmaurs, East Ayrshire. , Scotland.- Introduction :Next to the Saint Maurs-Glencairn church in Kilmaurs is a patch of woodland which was once an orchard...
- BeithBeithBeith is a small town situated in the Garnock Valley in North Ayrshire, Scotland approximately 20-miles south-west of Glasgow. The town is situated on the crest of a hill and was known originally as the "Hill o' Beith" after its Court Hill.-History:-Name:Beith's name is thought to emanate from...
- Lowes Loch, AyrshireLowes Loch, AyrshireLowes Loch, The Lochs or Loch of Hill is now a small natural freshwater loch in the North Ayrshire Council Areas , lying in a glacial 'Kettle hole', once of greater extent, lying below Brownmuir and Lochland Hills on the Threepwood Road, near Beith, in the Parish of Beith...