(then ) began In 1772 when the first band of about 200 Scottish Catholic immigrants arrived on St. John's Island, led by laymen John MacDonald of Glenaladale, the idea having been conceived and the financing arranged by two bishops of the Scottish Catholic Church, John MacDonald and George Hay in order to relieve the persecution of Catholics on Uist.They were accompanied by Father James MacDonald, cousin to John of Glenaladale.