Island of Iona

Today, we made our travels to the island of Iona.  It was there in 563 AD that St. Columba, being exiled from Ireland, took twelve followers with him in their coracle boats and landed on the isle of Iona.  There he established an abbey and created the work known as the Book of Kells.  

We were greeted by a morning rainbow for our travels. 

Our journey started with a 50 minute ferry from Oban to the Isle of Mull.  On Mull, we took a bus for an hour and 15 minutes to the other end of the island.  We were entertained the entire way by tales from our driver Geordie, who is a local volunteer firemen.  He knew every car or truck  that passed us on the one lane road!  

After the bus ride, we had another 15 minute ferry ride to Iona.  

We arrived at the St. Columba hotel, our base for the next three days.

A number of us took the hike to the highest spot on Iona Dunn I (pronounced Dun EE).  It is 333 ft. Above sea level.  The trek up did have a bit of a rock scramble but we'll worth the view.  More rainbows showed up as we visited the cairn at the top.  It was very windy!  We had to hold on to our hats!  One of our group checked the wind speed and it measured between 25 to 35 knots!  

We also visited St. Brigid's well at the top.  It is said that it is a well of eternal youth.  It is not recommended to drink from it but a few of us splashed a little on our faces!  

The light on Iona is something special!

Pastor Carolyn