It was supposedly visited by St Columba (an Irish missionary monk) in 567, and was named after him in the 12th century. As such, the present name Inchcolm means 'Island of Colm', with Inch a derogation of innish, Gaelic for Island and Colm believed to be a reference to St Columba, whose relics were held at Dunkeld Cathedral, originally the head of Inchcolm's diocese.

It is believed to have served the monks of the Columban