PALLADIUS, first bishop of the SCOTTI. — The term Scotti (Scoti) refers both to the Celts of Ireland (Gaels) and those of Scotland (ancient Caledonia) and the Picts settled to the south of the country.
This dual designation has caused confusion regarding the historical figure of P., for whom it must in fact be understood as the one sent by Celestinus I in 431 to the Scots who believed in Christ (cf. Prosper of Aquitaine, *Chronica*, in *MGH, Auct. antiqu.*, IX, *Chron. minora*, I, p. 472). He found the island largely pagan and was unable to achieve notable results from his apostolate, which was almost immediately cut short by his death and continued the following year by St Patrick (v.).
A tradition lacking credibility claims that P., poorly received upon his landing at Hy Garchon (Wicklow), traveled north into the region of the Picts, where he allegedly carried out his apostolate for 27 years, had relations with Brude (697-706) of the Picts, and died there—i.e., more than two centuries after P.’s Irish mission. In reality, the conversion of Scotland in the 6th century is due to the apostolate of the Irish abbot St Columba. The feast of P. is recorded in the ancient Scottish liturgy on July 6.