John Marsden follows the course of the sea-road of the early Celtic saints from Ireland to the western coast and isles of Scotland. He explores the spiritual tradition of the 'white martyrdom of exile for Christ' as it was lived out by these voyager-visionaries against the land and seascapes of the Hebrides. From Columba onwards to Ciaran, Cormac, Brendan and Ronan, those who spread Irish Christianity into Scotland left traces throughout the landscape and in the placenames which survive to this day. The book gives not only a colourful account of the history of those times, but serves also as a guide to the island traveller on a path of exploration of this rich and ancient tradition.