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St Columba arrived on his missionary journey
from Ireland in about 560AD and chose this island
as his base. Nothing survives of the wattle huts
his followers erected, though a prominent mound
close to the abbey entrance is believed to be
the site of his cell. The site faces across a
narrow strait towards the Isle of Mull - a sheltered
anchorage in a strip of sea that Columba and his
monks must have crossed many times. The Caledonian
Macbrayne ferry now crosses the strait many times
a day from Ffionnphort and charges foot passengers
£1.60 each way.
Columba was originally buried on Iona, but his
bones were removed from the Island during the
Viking period when the community came under fierce
attack and both monks and nuns were destroyed.
He was finally laid to rest at Kells in Ireland.
The nunnery is ruined, but contains a well maintained
garden that is a haven of peace and beauty. The
abbey is in much better shape and is in active
use by the Iona Community. Its restoration began
under Reginal, Lord of the Isles, back in the
12th century, but more recent work was done under
Reginald's 19th century descendants and by today's
Community.
For a period the abbey was designated Cathedral
of the Isles and housed a resident bishop. On
site accommodation now houses members of the Iona
community and visitors and provides places for
worship and meditation.
Iona is worth visiting for its history, its spiritual
associations, its natural beauty and peacefulness
or its simple tourist appeal. It provides all
the amenities might expect at such a popular destination
- though quietness is never sacrificed.
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