The Isle of Iona offers a wide spectrum of ancient buildings to explore - from the 11th century Abbey to the burial grounds of the Kings of the Isles.
From the ferry port at Fionnphort, on the Isle of Mull, one can see the magnificent Iona Abbey, across the Sound of Iona.It is the Abbey that we came to see – and subsequently discovered that there is so much more to the Isle of Iona
Exploring The Isle of Iona
After a short ferry trip operated by CalMac, we arrived on the Isle of Iona.What struck me was how close together everything was.Virtually everything we were interested in exploring, was within a 15-minute walk from the ferry port.
Several little stores, hotels and craft shops are dotted about, providing a delightful opportunity to nosy around for interesting finds – and of course to have coffee and delicious food!
And even though most places of interest are within walking distance, there are bicycle rentals available from Iona Craft Shop, a few meters up the road from the ferry.These might come in handy if you want to explore the rugged landscape of the rest of the island.
Discovering History on Iona
As mentioned earlier, my main purpose for visiting the Isle of Iona, was to explore the Iona Abbey.This is a magical place – built in the early 11th century with incredible views across the water.It has been a destination for pilgrimage for centuries, as the high crosses along the route to the Abbey indicate.The ancient architecture of the cloisters and the church is truly breath-taking.One feels the sense of stepping into medieval times as one enters this ancient place.
Right next to the Abbey, is St Oran's Chapel.St Oran's is the oldest intact structure on the island, dating from the early 1100's.The ornate arch of the entrance shows the Irish influence in construction on the island, in the Middle Ages.It is here where Somerled, King of the Isles, was buried in 1164.Since that time, several other Kings and Lords were laid to rest in St Oran's Chapel and the surrounding burial ground.
A few hundred meters down the road, are the ruins of the Nunnery of St Mary the Virgin.Even though it is in a ruinous state, it is still one of the best-preserved nunneries in Britain.The Nunnery was founded by Ranald, King of the Isles, around 1200 and the first Prioress was his sister, Beatrice.The rib-vaulted ceiling in the small chapel is an absolute masterpiece of construction. It is sad that there is only a small bit still surviving.
Iona also has its own Heritage Centre, opposite the Nunnery.A great deal of information is available here – from the prehistory of Iona, through the arrival of Columba to the present day.
Whether your interest is in soaking up the deep history of this Scottish island, or to enjoy long walks in its untamed landscape, or merely to experience the friendly hospitality of the islanders, Iona is a perfect destination for a short break.
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