Isle of Iona

Iona, off the coast of Mull, is a top Christian pilgrimage destination, thanks to the patronage of St. Columba, who here founded a monastery and 'Celtic Christianity'.

Off the rocky Ross of Mull lies the little island of Iona, steeped in history as the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland. It was from here that St Columba spread the word across the ancient kingdom, and the island instils an inner peace in the visitor, no more so than in the tranquil Iona Abbey. His life is celebrated at the Columba Centre at Fionnphort.

Iona is, after Whithorn, the cradle of Scottish Christianity. People have lived on the island since the Iron Age, but it was in 563 that St Columba left Ireland and set up a monastery on the island. It was from here that he set out on his journeys, which resulted in the conversion of the northern picts and the spread of Christianity throughout Scotland.

St Columba died in 597 and was buried on the island. However 200 years later after a Norse raid in which 68 monks were murdered at Martyrs' bay that his bones were taken to Ireland where they have disappeared. Iona had become a holy place where Scots kings were buried until the 11th century when it was superseded by Dunfermline.

The Norsemen on a number of occasions returned to pillage the island during the 9th and 10th centuries. In 807 they burned and destroyed the monastery. In 1203 a new Benediction monastery followed a few years later by an Augustan nunnery were founded on the island. A number of additions were added until the mid-16th century. However, in 1560 the abbey was left derelict due to the reformation in Scotland and would remain so until in 1899, ownership was handed over to the Iona Cathedral Trust. Restoration was started in 1902. The Iona Community established in 1937 continued the restoration, which was completed in 1965.