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A row of orange seats on the ferry deck, small boats moored off a rocky shore under low mist.
Argyll and Bute

Isle of Iona

Welcome

Iona is a little island off the coast of Mull which measures only 3 miles by 1.5 miles.

Visited and photographed by Jack Cairney

You don’t need to travel far on the island to find out that religion had a big part to play in its history. Visit places like Iona Abbey, the Nunnery or the Heritage Centre to find out more about the introduction of Christianity to Scotland. It is a quiet island, with views to the islands around it and a long history, and people come here on retreat, to reflect or to find new ideas. There are only about 150 residents and visitors are not allowed to bring their car unless they have a blue badge and apply for a permit. If you are holidaying in Mull then make your way to the southwestern tip of Mull to Fionnphort where you can get the Iona ferry every 10 minutes in the summer months. It takes only 10 minutes for the short crossing over the Iona Sound.

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The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch

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  1. 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 mile 1 min by road
  2. 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 mile 1 min by road
  3. 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 mile 1 min by road
  4. St Oran’s Chapel & Reilig OdhráinSt Oran’s Chapel & Reilig OdhráinThe small chapel and ancient graveyard beside Iona Abbey, where Scotland's early kings are said to lie.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. Iona Nunnery RuinsIona Nunnery RuinsThe pink granite ruins of Iona's Augustinian nunnery, the most complete in Scotland, on the street up from the ferry.Under a mile 1 min by road
  6. 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 mile 1 min by road
Directions
The whitewashed front of the Iona Craft Shop with blue window frames, bicycles and chairs outside.ShoppingIona Craft ShopA 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
Iona's shore and the Sound under a pale sky.AttractionsIsle of Iona0.5 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
The white sand and turquoise water of Iona's north end beaches from above, green machair behind.AttractionsNorth End Beaches2.7 miles
Coastal garden with flower beds overlooking a sailing boat on the waterAttractionsTraigh Bhan nam Monach2.7 miles

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