 Columba returned to Scotland in 1409 and by 1412 he was Dean of Dunbar collegiate church when he witnessed the foundation charter of St Andrews University.In addition, he was the Deacon of the chapel of Ruthven, St. Andrews.On 1 May 1419, by Papal Dispensation, he was given the additional rectory of the parish church of Locherworth or Borthwick (£30 per annum), from which he was promoted to the post of Archdeacon of Lothian.