Iona - 18/06/2018
At the western end of the Ross of Mull, ~ 12 miles from our accommodation, is the small village of Fionnphort. From here there is a regular Caledonian Macbrayne ferry crossing to Iona, the passage taking just 10 minutes. We caught the 10am ferry and set off on a there and back walk to the pebble beach at Port na Curaich at the south end of the island. This walk takes in the machair and beaches of the west coast and moorland with a small loch (Loch Staoinaig). (Distance 8.5km; Ascent 120m; Time 3h)
Iona is best known and most frequently visited for its abbey. This was established in C6 by St Columba, who is credited with bringing christianity to Scotland. One legend has it that he buried one of his 12 companions alive in the foundations of the building as a means of securing their security. Fortunately, christianity has evolved since then and the modern Iona community has its basis in securing world peace, abolishing weapons of mass destruction and ensuring international concord through the United Nations. Much of the current building is a 20th C restoration of the 13th C Benedictine monastery.