Leaving the campsite early we set off for the ferry to Mull that would take us finally to Iona. Although the weather didn't look promising this was a "fixed" point in our journey. (After discovering that I have left the waterproof trousers at home, we had been on the look out yesterday for replacements, as the weather on Iona can be uncompromising!).
Having arrived very early we had coffee in Wetherspoons whilst we waited for the ferry to arrive.
The crossing confirmed our thoughts yesterday that waterproofs would be the order of the day.. rain soon set in, however by the time we landed there was a glimmer of sun. The drive across Mull to Fionnphort was stunning, alas we had no time to stop to take photo's as we needed to catch the Iona ferry, which in the end we missed by a few minutes.
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| Iona Ferry |
Iona was the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland. St Columba arrived in 563AD bringing Christianity to Britain, although its history, reaches back much further. Its rocks are around 2,700 million years old, and 4-5,000 years before the birth of Jesus, hunters roamed the area in about 3500BC, and round the west side of the island are remains of a small Iron-Age Fort used by Celtic Tribes.
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| Iona Abbey from the ferry |
Every Tuesday the "Iona Community" (- a Christian community founded in 1938 by Rev George MacLeod gathered around the restored ancient monastic buildings of Iona Abbey) organise a pilgrimage around Iona visiting places of both religious and historical importance. The "plan" was to follow the stations of the weekly pilgrimage around Iona, however Anne was feeling slightly queasy so we decided to restrict ourselves to the area around the Abbey.
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| The Nunnary |
The Nunnary
Built in 1203 by Reginald MacDonald, it was one of only two nunneries found in Scotland and was a mini version of the abbey. nicknamed "Black Church" after the nuns' habit, it was not repaired after the Reformation.
The Village
Iona is home to approx 90 people, it boasts a Post office, shops, school, doctors and library, proving that this is a living and working community, and not just the site of ancient monuments.
School bike shed!
Saint Martin's Cross
The cross of St Martin has stood on this spot, outside the abbey for over 1000 years. named after a Roman soldier who one night tore his military cloak in two and gave it to a disabled person for warmth. Converted to Christianity he became known for being a conscientious objector to serve in the Roman army and later became the Bishop of Tours. He never came to these shores, but was buried on 11th November, which centuries later would become a day of remembering and peace. The site possibly marks the place of Columba's grave.
In front of Saint Martin's Cross is a small grass mound called "Tor Abb" - this may have been part of Saint Columba Cell - a small beehive shaped cell that would have been home for the original community, made out of wood and turf, together with a small wooden church. - none survive today. The monastery was established in 563 and their missionary endeavors stretched as far as Russia, the monks left Iona in the 9th century due to years of vicious Viking raids and settled in Ireland.
The Abbey
In 1203 the Benedictine abbey was founded and for 400 years the abbey and outbuildings took shape. However its religious life and influence by the Reformation had declined and after the church became Protestant. By the 19th century the abbey buildings were ruins. Viking raids and settled in Ireland. In 1203 the Benedictine abbey was founded and for 400 years the abbey and outbuildings took shape. However its religious life and influence by the Reformation had declined and after which the church became Protestant. By the 19th century the abbey building were only ruins.
However in 1899 the abbey was gifted to the Iona Cathedral Trustees as a place for ecumenical worship. In 1938 The Iona Community came into being committed to a common rule of daily prayer and bible study, sharing and being accountable for their time, money and for social justice. The community continued to repair the abbey buildings, most of the work being completed in the mid 1960’s as a sign of unity when Ecumenism in Britain was a high point – this was a new model of being church. Today the Abbey continues to be a place of daily Christian prayer and worship as well as being a place of pilgrimage.
St Oran Chapel
Thought to be one of the oldest building on the island, St Organ’s Chapel dates from the 11th century. It is reported that Columba couldn’t complete the construction of the original church until a living person had been buried in the foundations! Oran a disciple offered and was duly buried, later Columba decided he wanted his face to be uncovered so he could say goodbye to his friend. This was done only to discover that Oran was still alive so Columba ordered him to be covered up.
Maclean’s Cross
A prayer Cross, erected about 1500, where three medieval roads meet, commissioned by Chief MacLean
Martyrs Bay
In 806AD the bay was the place where 68 monks were killed by Viking Raiders, it was also
Chief with a crucifixion scene on the west side. It stand close to the Parish Church.
the landing place for funeral possessions. Today the island War Memorial stands to remind us of the victims of torture and massacre in our world continues.
These are just some of the places we visited on our short pilgrimage around Iona, plus a quick browse in the Iona bookshop. The weather improved during the afternoon, fortunately we had already pre-booked B&B for the night on Mull, Anne can get a good rest before tomorrow. Great view of the Abbey from our bedroom window!
If she is up to it we are off to… Tobermory in the morning.
In 1203 the Benedictine abbey was founded and for 400 years the abbey and outbuildings took shape. However its religious life and influence by the Reformation had declined and after the church became Protestant. By the 19th century the abbey buildings were ruins. Viking raids and settled in Ireland. In 1203 the Benedictine abbey was founded and for 400 years the abbey and outbuildings took shape. However its religious life and influence by the Reformation had declined and after which the church became Protestant. By the 19th century the abbey building were only ruins.However in 1899 the abbey was gifted to the Iona Cathedral Trustees as a place for ecumenical worship. In 1938 The Iona Community came into being committed to a common rule of daily prayer and bible study, sharing and being accountable for their time, money and for social justice. The community continued to repair the abbey buildings, most of the work being completed in the mid 1960’s as a sign of unity when Ecumenism in Britain was a high point – this was a new model of being church. Today the Abbey continues to be a place of daily Christian prayer and worship as well as being a place of pilgrimage.
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| The Abbey Cloisters |
Thought to be one of the oldest building on the island, St Organ’s Chapel dates from the 11th century. It is reported that Columba couldn’t complete the construction of the original church until a living person had been buried in the foundations! Oran a disciple offered and was duly buried, later Columba decided he wanted his face to be uncovered so he could say goodbye to his friend. This was done only to discover that Oran was still alive so Columba ordered him to be covered up.
Maclean’s Cross
A prayer Cross, erected about 1500, where three medieval roads meet, commissioned by Chief MacLean
In 806AD the bay was the place where 68 monks were killed by Viking Raiders, it was also
Chief with a crucifixion scene on the west side. It stand close to the Parish Church.
These are just some of the places we visited on our short pilgrimage around Iona, plus a quick browse in the Iona bookshop. The weather improved during the afternoon, fortunately we had already pre-booked B&B for the night on Mull, Anne can get a good rest before tomorrow. Great view of the Abbey from our bedroom window!
If she is up to it we are off to… Tobermory in the morning.
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