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The image top right is of the Ferry at
Fionnphort on the southwest of the
Isle of Mull. This is a short crossing of about
one mile with the Ferry running about every 30
minutes.
Regular Buses
run between Fionnphort and Graignure on
the east coast of Mull, 35 miles apart. Regular
Ferries run between Craignure and Oban on the
Scottish Mainland. The Buses normally run to
suit the Ferries. You can also book Ferry/Coach
Tours through the website: westcoasttours.co.uk
The Boat next to the Ferry is for Trips to
the Isle of Staffa for Fingals Cave, another
top attraction in Scotland. Two companies are
StaffaTours and
StaffaTrips
The Ferries dock at Baile Mor Village on
Iona with about a one mile walk from the Ferry
Slip to Iona Abbey. You get great views of the
Abbey from the Ferry.
Iona Abbey is one of the most historic
places, and in one of the most picturesque
places in Scotland. It is open to the public
most of the year with an entrance fee. Abbey
Website
Large Stone Crosses and St Columba's Shrine
are at the entrance to the Abbey.
The main Church is next to St Columba's
Shrine, and Cloister next to the Church.
Around the Cloister are a number of early
Grave Slabs.
By the Cloister are a large Gift Shop and
Cafe.
The Museum is in the Abbey Grounds,
containing large Stone Crosses, Grave Slabs,
and information on the Abbey from the 600s -
today.
St Orans Chapel is next to the Abbey with a
Graveyard, thought to be where many early
Scottish Kings and Noblemen were buried. John
Smith the Scottish Politician is also buried at
St Orans.
The Low Door Shop is next to the Abbey with
a selection of Gifts.
St Columba
Hotel is also next to the Abbey with great
views.
Oran Creative
Crafts is between Iona Abbey and Baile Mor
Village.
Iona Heritage
Centre is also between the Abbey and
Village, giving information on the Island and
its People.
Next to the Heritage Centre is Iona Parish
Church built in 1828. In front of the Church is
MacLean's Cross, thought to have been erected
in the 1400s.
Iona Nunnery is also between the Abbey and
Village, built in the 1200s.
Baile Mor Village has Shops, Visitor Centre,
Bar Diner, two small
white Beaches, and is the starting point for
walks around the Island. North Walk .
South Walk
Iona Abbey History
400s - Scotland was divided into a number of
Kingdoms, with the Isle of Iona said to have
been in the Kingdom of Dal Riata, founded by
Fergus the Great. It is unclear what religious
beliefs people at that time had.
563 - the Irish Abbot Columba, traveled to
the Isle of Iona where he set up the first
Christian Church in Scotland.
700s & 800s - large stone Crosses were
built at Iona Abbey, some are in the grounds,
others now in the Museum.
800s - Vikings began taking control of the
Scottish Western Isles. They carried out a
number of raids on the Isle of Iona, burning
down the original wooden Columba Monastery.
818 - a stone Monastery was built to replace
the original Columba wooden building.
825 & 849 - further Viking raids damaged
the Monastery, leading to the Monks fleeing to
the Mainland with Relics and Valuables. Some of
the Relics were taken to Dunkeld
Cathedral in Perth.
Even after the Viking attacks, the Church at
Iona continued to attracted many visitors from
all over Scotland, including Kings and
Noblemen. It is claimed many of the early Kings
in Scotland, and Noblemen, were buried at Iona
Abbey, up to the 1000s. There are a vast number
of Grave Slabs at Iona Abbey, with inscriptions
showing they are for wealthy individuals, also
many of Knights with armour and weapons.
Other Christian Churches were later built on
the mainland such as Dunkeld from 500s after Columba
visited Dunkeld, St
Andrews from 747, and Dunfermline Abbey from 1070s.
1070s - King Malcom III
and his wife Margaret, later Saint Margaret,
had the earliest parts of Dunfermline Abbey
built. This was the family that eventually
gained control of all Scotland, under one King.
Margaret had some work carried out to restore
Iona Abbey.
1100s - Somerled, part
Viking, became King of the Isles, building St
Oran’s Chapel next to Iona Abbey to serve as
his family burial place. The Augustinian
Nunnery was established around that time. The
MacDonald, Lords of the Isles were descendants
of Somerled.
1164 - Somerled was killed in battle on the
Scottish mainland by a descendant of Malcom
III.
1200 - Reginald MacDonald, son of Somerled,
built a large Benedictine Monastery on the site
of the original St Columba Monastery.
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