1. According to an unbroken tradition dating from the earliest times and confirmed in the writings of the Venerable Bede in the 8th century, a holy man named Nynia, born among the British people, introduced the Christian faith into a significant part of the land now known as Scotland long before the coming of Saint Columba. We know him as St Ninian

2. The Life of Ninian Early Christian documents tell us “… the southern Picts received the true faith by the preaching of Bishop Ninias, a most reverend and holy man of the British nation, who had been regularly instructed at Rome in the faith and mysteries of the truth …” Although his birthdate is unknown, it is thought that Ninian probably lived from 360 – 432.

3. The Life of Ninian Ninian’s father was a local “king”, or ruler, of the area around the south west of Scotland. From an early age he was respected as a good and upright Christian. He is described as “… sparing in food, reticent in speech, assiduous in study, agreeable in manners, averse from jesting, and in everything subjecting the flesh to the spirit.”

4. The Life of Ninian The study of his faith took him to Rome, where his learning and high moral standards meant that he was soon held in high regard. He was made a Bishop by the Pope, and charged to take the word of God and the Catholic faith to the people of his homeland – still a largely pagan land. On his journey home he spent some time with Martin of Tours, whom he admired very much, learning how to be a good Bishop to his people.

5. The Life of Ninian On his arrival at Whithorn on the Scottish coast he went up into a coastal cave to offer thanks to God for his safe arrival and to ask God’s help and guidance. He then set to work winning over the locals and building the “Candida Casa” (White House): the first stone-built church in the country and a clear sign on his part that he intended to stay and was committed to his task. On learning of the death of Martin of Tours, he dedicated the church to him.

6. The Life of Ninian Although best respected for his work as a Bishop, a leader and teacher of the local Christian community, there are stories of miracles linked to Ninian. He reportedly cured the blindness and disease that afflicted the king Tuduvallus, and brought about a miracle in which a newborn baby was able to speak against rumours that a local priest was his father, thus proving the priest’s innocence and saving the local Church from a great scandal. On his death he was buried in his beloved Church of Blessed Martin.

7. The Importance of Whithorn Whithorn's history as an Early Christian centre cannot be doubted. Archaeologists have uncovered clues from the earliest settlement in the 5th century. The people were trading and importing luxury goods from the Mediterranean and were working the land to produce food together. The Latinus Stone, which is the earliest Christian monument in Scotland, shows that the community was Christian.

8. The Importance of Whithorn Historically we do know that from the 7th century people have made a pilgrimage to visit the shrine of St Ninian in Whithorn, believing in his power to cure illness and perform miracles. The town became a cult centre and, over many centuries, both kings and commoners made the journey and the fame of Ninian and Whithorn spread.

9. So…What Is A Pilgrimage? Literally, “a journey to a holy place”. A learning experience A way of deepening faith A way to help the pilgrim become more aware of their place in God’s world If done as part of a group, it is a way of helping us to deepen relationships through a shared experience

10. So…What Is A Pilgrimage? Often, the pilgrim will choose a place with which they feel some kind of spiritual, historical or personal connection.

11. St. Ninian It might be difficult for us to imagine the challenge faced by Ninian on his arrival at Whithorn. How would the people react to him? How could he convince them to take on the Christian faith? Write a diary entry for Ninian as he sat in the cave on the night of his arrival. It should tell of his hopes in this new place, and his plans for how he might achieve them. Design a poster that Ninian might have put up to encourage people to came along to hear his ideas.