Cathan

Saint Cathan (Catan, Chattan, Cadan) was an Irish monk of the sixth or seventh century, a bishop on the Isle of Bute in Scotland, venerated in the Scottish Hebrides. He is commemorated on 17 May.

He is said to have been one of the first Irish missionaries to come to Bute, then part of the Gaelic kingdom of Dál Riata. Little is known of him; he is mentioned chiefly as the uncle of Saint Blane, who was born on Bute and later preached among the Picts. Both are tied to Bute and to the monastery of Kingarth. His name survives in many places in western Scotland (Kilchattan, Ardchattan), and his well, Tobar Chattan, at Little Kilchattan on Bute, may mark the site of his church. Other churches are dedicated to him on Colonsay, Gigha and Luing. He is said to have lived for a time at the monastery at Stornoway on Lewis, and his relics are said to have been housed in a chapel founded by Clan MacLeod. His tomb is shown at Tamlacht in Ireland, but others hold that his relics are on Bute.