Isle of Iona
Just off the southern tip of Mull a ten-minute boat ride away, is the spiritual island of Iona, where in the 563 St Columba set up a monastic settlement, bringing Christianity to Scotland . All year round pilgrims make the trek out to the island and in particular the abbey to soak up its almost ethereal atmosphere.
Since Columba’s inception on the island Iona has been a renowned centre of learning and artistry spreading influence and drawing scholars and pilgrims from all over Europe. However it also attracted less scholarly visitors and was perpetually pillaged by Vikings who drove the monks and their works away from harms way.
The Benedictine abbey that stands today was built around 1200 and is believed to be founded on the site of Columba’s monastery. The Abbey saw a renaissance and the other buildings around the site, the Augustinian nunnery and St Oran’s Chapel were also built around this time. Unfortunately it was to be short lived and the Abbey was almost destroyed in the Reformation. From 1847 the abbey under went progressive restoration completed in 1965.
Today Iona Abbey can be viewed in its full glory with the impressive tall Romanesque arches dominating the nave, ornate Celtic carvings on the stone pillars and the serene cloister restored to its 15th century glory. The Abbey houses some of the finest examples of early Christian relics and Celtic crosses you will find in the British Isles, including the remains of the magnificent 8th Century St John’s Cross and other restored works in the Infirmary Museum. The abbey and the island of Iona is a peacefully serene place to visit, especially in the morning before the pilgrims arrive by the coach load.
