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A small stone chapel with a slate roof in a grassy graveyard, the abbey buildings and sea behind.
Isle of Iona

St Oran’s Chapel & Reilig Odhráin

The small chapel and ancient graveyard beside Iona Abbey, where Scotland's early kings are said to lie.

Welcome

St Oran's Chapel is the small stone chapel with a slate roof in the graveyard beside Iona Abbey, the Reilig Odhráin, where Scotland's ancient kings are said to have been laid to rest.

It stands among old gravestones on the grass, with the abbey buildings behind and the Sound of Iona and the shore of Mull beyond.

Inside it is simple and quiet: whitewashed walls, a timber roof, a plain altar with a candle, a few benches on a flagstone floor, and candles burning on an iron stand in a corner, with carved medieval grave slabs standing against the walls. Near the far wall of the graveyard is the grave of John Smith, a former leader of the Labour Party. Historic Environment Scotland looks after the chapel with the abbey; it is on the road from the village to the abbey.

Before you go

The chapel and graveyard are beside the abbey, on the road from the village; walk up from the ferry past the nunnery and Maclean's Cross.

They are cared for by Historic Environment Scotland with the abbey.

Getting there
CalMac ferry from Fionnphort on Mull, about five minutes, foot passengers and bikes only.
Where
Beside Iona Abbey.

Did you know

Candles burning on an iron stand in the corner of the whitewashed chapel, damp stains on the walls.
Did you know

Where kings lie.

Reilig Odhráin, the graveyard round the chapel, is where ancient Scottish kings are said to have been buried.

Candles burning on an iron stand in the corner of the whitewashed chapel, damp stains on the walls.
Did you know

A modern grave too.

Near the graveyard's far wall is the grave of John Smith, former leader of the Labour Party.

A carved stone with a cross on a pale plinth in the abbey museum, a tall cross and panels behind.
Did you know

Carved stones.

Carved medieval grave slabs stand inside the chapel; many more early carved stones and crosses are in the Abbey Museum next door.

A tall carved stone cross beside a single-track road and a dry-stone wall, white cottages behind.
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Where it is

Beside Iona Abbey, Isle of Iona.

Close byBeside the abbey.
  1. 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 mile1 min by road
  2. The Iona Community's Welcome Centre and Shop, a low white building with its sign on the grass in front.Iona Community ShopThe Iona Community's shop and welcome centre opposite the abbey, with books, local crafts and Iona Abbey bread.Under a mile1 min by road
  3. Shelves of snacks, jars and treats inside the St Columba Larder.St Columba LarderA little whitewashed café and larder on Iona's main road, for coffee, home baking and picnic supplies.Under a mile1 min by road
  4. Inside Oran Creative Crafts: shelves of candles, glass and gifts on a wooden counter.Oran Creative CraftsA co-operative of Iona's own makers in an old steading on the way to the abbey, selling crafts made on the island.Under a mile1 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 mile1 min by road
  6. 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 mile1 min by road
Directions
Scattered cottages and a stone church overlook a coastal bay from grassy hillsideAttractionsIsle of IonaA step away
Iona's shore and the Sound under a pale sky.AttractionsIsle of IonaA step away
The white sand and blue water of the bay, rocks beyond.AttractionsBay at the Back of the OceanA step away
The Keel Row in Fionnphort, low granite buildings with picnic benches behind a stone wall.BarsThe Keel Row0.2 miles
The pebble beach of St Columba's Bay on Iona between rocky outcrops, the sea beyond.AttractionsSt Columba's Bay0.7 miles
The rocky inlet of the marble quarry on Iona, green slopes above the blue sea.AttractionsIona Marble Quarry0.8 miles
A table laid with glasses and white napkins at Ninth Wave, a painting of pebbles on the wall behind.RestaurantsNinth Wave Restaurant0.9 miles
Coastal garden with flower beds overlooking a sailing boat on the waterAttractionsTraigh Bhan nam Monach2.7 miles
The white sand and turquoise water of Iona's north end beaches from above, green machair behind.AttractionsNorth End Beaches2.7 miles
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