Adrian of May was a ninth-century Catholic bishop and martyr who lived in ancient Scotland. Some traditions identify him as an Irish monk, possibly known by the Gaelic name Ethernan, who established various hermitages and monasteries on the Isle of May and along the Fife coast. Seeking safety from Viking invaders, he reportedly retreated to the island, where he and his community were eventually killed by marauding Scandinavians around the year 875.
Life and martyrdom
While details of his early life remain scarce, he is thought to have served as the Bishop of Saint Andrews. Following the arrival of Danish invaders, he sought refuge on the Isle of May. There, the monastery population was slaughtered during a Viking raid. Centuries later, the island was reclaimed as a religious site, leading to the establishment of a shrine dedicated to him.
Veneration and legacy
His shrine became a significant site for pilgrims, including various Scottish monarchs such as James IV and Mary of Guise. Devotees often visited the island to pray for healing, particularly for fertility. Although the Scottish Reformation ended these public pilgrimages, the site remains an important historical location, and his identity may have been conflated with the earlier monk Ethernan.