Iona Abbey

Welcome to the Isle of Iona, a remarkably remote yet profoundly influential speck of land off the west coast of Scotland. As you disembark from the short ten minute ferry crossing from Fionnphort on the Isle of Mull, you are…

As we depart the ferry terminal and make our way into the heart of the village, the very first major historical structure we encounter is the striking ruin of the Augustinian Nunnery. Founded around the year twelve hundred, this…

Leaving the quiet enclosure of the nunnery behind, we now find ourselves walking upon a highly significant physical feature of the island: the Street of the Dead. This is not merely a modern footpath, but an authentic, cobbled…

We have now arrived at Reilig Odhrain, the ancient and profoundly atmospheric burial ground that sits adjacent to the abbey. Enclosed by low stone walls, this small patch of earth is arguably one of the most historically…

Leaving the silent company of the graveyard, we approach the immediate exterior of the abbey church, where we are greeted by the magnificent high crosses. These towering monuments of intricately carved stone are among the most…

Stepping through the heavy wooden doors and into the nave of Iona Abbey, the sounds of the wind and the crying gulls are instantly replaced by a resonant, echoing stillness. You are now standing inside a structure whose roots…

As we approach the eastern end of the church, our eyes are naturally drawn to the focal point of the sanctuary: the magnificent high altar. This is not a standard wooden communion table, but a massive, breathtaking structure…

Stepping through the side door of the abbey, we emerge into the open air of the cloister. This square courtyard, surrounded on all four sides by covered, arched walkways, was the traditional center of daily monastic life. …

We have now left the manicured grounds of the abbey and hiked approximately forty five minutes to the remote, wild southern tip of the island. The landscape here transitions dramatically from the settled village into sweeping…

As our journey draws to a close and we make our way back toward the ferry slipway at Baile Mor, it is time to reflect on the immense weight of the landscape we have just traversed. We have walked the same ancient cobbles as…