St. Donald lived in in Olgivy, in Forfarshire, Scotland, in the early part of the 8th century. Upon the death of his wife, he and his nine daughters began to live a monastic lifestyle at home under his direction, cultivating the land by hand, and eating barely bread and water once a day. After St. Donald's repose, his daughters all entered a monastery in Abernethy, founded by Ss. Darlugdach and Brigid, where they became known as the Nine Maidens, or the Nine Holy Virgins.