Adam rose to the position of Abbot in 1207, and on 5 August 1213, was elected to the bishopric of Caithness, then based at Halkirk.
Adam, along with Bishop Walter and Bishop Bricius, visited Rome in 1218, to obtain absolution from Pope Honorius III for the sentence of excommunication imposed on the Scottish King, Alexander II, and the whole Kingdom of Scotland.
Bishop Adam had increased the episcopal "tax" imposed on the province's husbandmen, raising it from a span of butter from every twenty cows, to one from every ten.
On hearing of the events, Alexander II took the opportunity to assert his claims to the mainland part of the jarldom, by visiting Caithness in person, and hanging the majority of the husbandmen, while mutilating the remainder.
Alexander's actions were applauded by Pope Honorius III, and a quarter of a century later, he was continuing to receive commendation, as in a bull of Celestine IV.