Bethóc, Prioress of Iona

Bethóc ingen Somairle[note 1] was a 13th-century Scottish prioress, considered to have been the first of Iona Nunnery.

In about 1203, Bethóc's brother, Ragnall mac Somairle, founded the Benedictine Iona Abbey.

[2] According to the Book of Clanranald, Bethóc was a "black nun", while the History of the MacDonalds states that she was prioress of Iona.

In about 1695, Martin Martin described the Gaelic inscription to have read "Behag nijn Sorle vic Ilvrid priorissa" (which translates as "Prioress Bethóc, daughter of Somairle, son of Gilla Brigte").

"[8] It has been suggested that Bethóc was the original owner of the Iona Psalter, now preserved in the National Library of Scotland.