We'd previously visited Iona and its Abbey as well as
Staffa, the site of puffins in season and Fingal's cave year-round. But
it is worth return trips, so we took one on our sunniest day on Mull.
Approaching the
Isle of Iona. On a previous trip, Mary stayed at the
waterfront Argyll Hotel
and recommends it. It appears to be owned by the same people as the
larger St. Columba Hotel, where we had a nice lunch. It is lovely but
lacks the character of the smaller hotel. Prices seem comparable.
The main draw to Iona is its Abbey, built to honor St. Columba, who is
said to have brought Christianity to the UK from Ireland in the 6th
century. A more spiritual spot to me is the Tor du Aba, the small
outcropping which housed his writing cell.
The Abbey is a bit too commercially "church-y" for us. But we do enjoy
the Cloisters, when not filled with screaming school children.
Though I'm not sure about this kitschy statue in the center.
One of the Dukes of Argyll and his wife are entombed here. He
transferred the Abbey, but no funds for its improvement, to a trust in
1899. It is now run by Historic Scotland. Since our last visits its
grounds have been fenced and admission fees are charged.
The font in the Abbey
This small room entered from the front of the Abbey is called St.
Columba's Shrine, although it is unclear how it is connected to him.
Close-up on the wooden cross.
The interesting Celtic crosses on the grounds are replicas.
The portion of the "Street of the Dead" ends at the cemetery which is
said to be the resting place of many of the famous Scottish and English
kings.
Most of the stones from the cemetery are now inside the the Abbey, where
they are protected from further deterioration. Oran's Chapel is at the
right.
Built in the 12th century, this is the oldest of Iona's surviving
ecclesiastical buildings. It was the chapel and burial place of the
MacDonalds, Lords of the Isles.
One of my favorite spots on Iona is the Nunnery, founded in about 1200.
It has many nooks suitable for sitting and quiet meditation.
Some say this irregular stone over a window on an exterior wall is
what's left of a
Sheela na Gig.
Flowers grew from the Nunnery's ancient walls.
Although it was mid-October, the fuchsia was flourishsing.
As was the kitchen garden for Iona's two hotels.
The bookstore on Iona
We need stamps for a birthday card, so visited the post office ...
... and then found the post box.
We had taken a trip to Staffa to see puffins, and Mary got to see the
cave on a return trip. But we both wanted to return to get a good look
at the cave.
