Saint Inan

Although he is said to have been a hermit,[2] according to tradition St. Inan is said to have often visited the town of Beith, frequenting Cuff Hill with its rocking stone and various other prehistoric monuments.

An unsuccessful search for the saint's writings which were said to be preserved in the library of Bonci, Archbishop of Pisa was made by Colonel Mure of Caldwell in the 19th century.

The first settlements were in the heavily wooded areas around the dams where people were safe from attack and could get food from the land, and fish in the lochs.

It has been suggested that High Bogside Farm, which used to be called Bellsgrove, was really 'Baalsgrove', which would fit in with the story of Saint Inan going to where the pagan gods were.

[14] His name has several recorded spellings, such as Evan, Innan, Inin, Innen, Enen, Ennen and latterly Annan, Anan, Tinnan or even Tennant.