Isle of Iona

So, the second day of our Scottish holidays on the Isle of Mull and we ventured out of our very comfortable little cottage by the sea......

...........down the path.......onto a jetty and onto the Iona ferry.

Iona is actually only 1.2 miles from Fionnphort (where we are staying), but then my swimming's not that good, especially when I'm carrying our picnic.

The sun was shining and the sea was crystal clear, with pale soft sands to rival the poshest of beach resorts in the Caribbean.

Iona is a significant place within the Christian faith, as it was the site of an important monastery founded in 563AD by Columba.....it was a place of pilgrimage and reputedly where the famous Book of Kells was produced by monks on Iona.  Whether or not you go for any of that doesn't much matter, the place is stunningly beautiful, unspoilt, peaceful.........

St. Martin's Cross, dating back to the 8th century

After wandering around the grounds of the abbey and seeing the ancient cobbled road which led to a cemetery where Scottish kings are believed to be buried.....we picked our way up a good-sized hill called Dun I.  It was windy at the top, but we nestled in among some rocks (like some sensible sheep) and at our picnic lunch.

At the bottom, we saw this fluffy-coo with a few of his friends....

We walked around the island for a couple of hours more and soaked in the tranquillity of Iona......yes, tranquillity even with three noisy boys.

And lastly.....a long forgotten favourite band Iona.....probably (without remembering it until visiting Iona), the biggest influence in the instruments I play now.....funny how a visit to a new place can re-inspire something which I had somehow forgotten about........close your eyes, and let the music wash over you......