Saint Fergus

Who they were

Fergus, called Cruithneach or 'the Pict', had been a bishop in Ireland for many years, according to the Breviary of Aberdeen, when he came to Scotland on mission with a group of priests and clerics. He built churches near Strageath in Upper Strathearn, in Caithness at Wick and Halkirk, at Lungley in Buchan (now called St. Fergus) and at Glamis.

In 721 he went to Rome and took part in a synod held by Pope Gregory II. He died about 730; his remains lay at Glamis and were much venerated in the Middle Ages, and his head was later enshrined at Scone.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: he has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

An Irish bishop who founded churches across Scotland in the eighth century.

Connected on this site

• Gregory II Saint
  “In 721 he went to Rome and took part in a synod held by Pope Gregory II.” — this site's research