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The pebble beach of St Columba's Bay on Iona between rocky outcrops, the sea beyond.
Isle of Iona

St Columba's Bay

The pebble bay at the south end of Iona where St Columba is said to have landed from Ireland in 563.

Welcome

St Columba's Bay lies at the far south end of Iona, a beautiful shingle beach divided in two by a huge rock outcrop, one side piled with mounds of stones.

It is said to be where St Columba first landed on Iona from Ireland: he had first come ashore at Dunaverty in Kintyre, but as he had been banished to live beyond sight of Ireland, which can be seen from there, he sailed on until he reached this spot. One of the stone piles is said to stand where he left his boat.

It is a walk of 8.5km there and back, two and a half to three hours, through the less visited south of the island. The way crosses from the village to the common grazings on the west side, also used as a golf course, passes beaches and machair, then climbs over the moor to the bay. It is a haunting place to stop and rest.

Close byThe Keel RowA traditional pub and restaurant in Fionnphort, by the Iona ferry, with views across the sound to Iona.2 min by roadSee itThe Keel Row in Fionnphort, low granite buildings with picnic benches behind a stone wall.
Before you go

From the ferry jetty the walk is 8.5km there and back, two and a half to three hours; tarmac to the golf course, then a sometimes boggy path over the moor.

On the common grazings, give way to golfers and watch for balls.

Getting there
CalMac ferry from Fionnphort on Mull, about five minutes, foot passengers and bikes only.
Walk
8.5km there and back, 2.5 to 3 hours.
Path
Road, then boggy moor.
Where it is

The south end of Iona.

Close byAt Iona's south end.
  1. The rocky inlet of the marble quarry on Iona, green slopes above the blue sea.Iona Marble QuarryThe rusting machinery of a marble quarry abandoned about 1918, in a remote inlet on Iona's south-east coast.Under a mile1 min by road
  2. Iona AbbeyIona AbbeyThe restored Benedictine abbey on the site of St Columba's monastery of 563, with its cloister, high crosses and museum of carved stones.Under a mile2 min by road
  3. The white sand and blue water of the bay, rocks beyond.Bay at the Back of the OceanA wide west-facing bay on Iona, fringed with machair and many-coloured pebbles, with nothing but ocean between it and Canada.Under a mile2 min by road
  4. The whitewashed front of the Iona Craft Shop with blue window frames, bicycles and chairs outside.Iona Craft ShopA craft shop on Iona since 1965, opposite the nunnery, known for its knitwear and its Iona Wool.Under a mile2 min by road
  5. Iona Nunnery Ruins, Isle of IonaIona Nunnery RuinsThe pink granite ruins of Iona's Augustinian nunnery, the most complete in Scotland, on the street up from the ferry.Under a mile2 min by road
Directions
The Keel Row in Fionnphort, low granite buildings with picnic benches behind a stone wall.BarsThe Keel Row0.5 miles
Scattered cottages and a stone church overlook a coastal bay from grassy hillsideAttractionsIsle of Iona0.7 miles
Iona's shore and the Sound under a pale sky.AttractionsIsle of Iona0.7 miles
Inside Oran Creative Crafts: shelves of candles, glass and gifts on a wooden counter.ShoppingOran Creative Crafts0.7 miles
Shelves of snacks, jars and treats inside the St Columba Larder.RestaurantsSt Columba Larder0.7 miles
AttractionsSt Oran’s Chapel & Reilig Odhráin0.7 miles
The Iona Community's Welcome Centre and Shop, a low white building with its sign on the grass in front.ShoppingIona Community Shop0.7 miles
A table laid with glasses and white napkins at Ninth Wave, a painting of pebbles on the wall behind.RestaurantsNinth Wave Restaurant1.1 miles
Coastal garden with flower beds overlooking a sailing boat on the waterAttractionsTraigh Bhan nam Monach2.9 miles
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