Iona - a spiritual island

Iona is a tiny island off the coast of Mull. St Columba founded his monastry there in 563, bringing Celtic Christianity to Scotland. It continues to be a place of pilgrimage.

And, yes - blue sky! It is perhaps a miracle? The view from the ferry as we arrived.

It was a 1km walk to our hostel at the end of the island. Visitors are not allowed to bring cars. The hostel is the darker building the left of the white farm house. We stayed for 2 nights. Most of the houses on Iona are huddled down into hollows or beside small hills for protection from the wind, which did not blow while we were there.

Just a fraction of the immense view from the beach in front of the hostel.

Iona Abbey. Built on St Columba's original site, this building dates from 1203 and has been extensively renovated since the early 20th century. It is run by an active Christian group so it is not just an historical relic.

This is where the first Celtic crosses were developed. The Book of Kells was written here.

There were many examples of intricate Celtic designs, especially from old grave stones.

St Columba would not allow women on the island in his time. The nunnery dates from the 1200s and seems to have been a smaller version of the Abbey. Only one small room, called 'the warming room', was heated. 

A woman in one of the shops suggested we walk to the other side of the island to see a 'beautiful white sand beach.' I think Tassie beaches have spoiled us. It was nice, but was more seaweed and stones than sand. However, we soon noticed the colours of the stones, and lost ourselves looking at them. Thanks to Sheryl for this photo, as I forgot to take any.

It was a reminder that sometimes you need to look past the big picture and focus on the small details to find the beauty. I love the green and red stones.

Another small pleasure - scones on the lawn in the afternoon sunshine.

Iona has a palpable atmosphere of peace, spirituality and creativity. It still attracts people searching for answers and seeking God, Christians on spiritual retreats as well as people wanting refuge from the world. And artists, writers and other creatives come, attracted by the landscape, the light and colours, the history and the otherness that is often found in places on the edges. Tourists come too, of course.

The next morning it RAINED and was very COLD, but we didn't care as we left on the first ferry, and then two bus rides later, we were back in Tobermory for the rest of our week on Mull.