Welcome to
Long revered as a place of otherworldly beauty, Iona has been delighting visitors with its beguiling aura for centuries.
Nature & wildlife
History & heritage
Walking
Culture
The recurring motif with Iona is that it’s a special island, but that may be more than a mere inclination. Often referred to as a ‘thin place’ where heaven and earth seem to touch, Iona’s religious significance, married with its immense natural beauty, makes it a place of revelation
where a sunset-inspired epiphany is just around the corner. It’s a feeling that’s imbued in every brick of its old buildings, an atmosphere rooted in its soil. The thin veil between the physical and the spiritual becomes thinner still on this historical Isle.
The religious significance of Iona cannot be overstated. In 563AD St Columba and his followers arrived on Iona’s shores, en route to spreading the gospel to the people of Scotland and Northern England. Iona’s history as the ‘cradle of Christianity’ in Scotland is proved by a visit to one site – Iona Abbey. This Benedictine abbey holds great significance for visiting pilgrims. Some argue that The Book of Kells, the world-famous manuscript of Gospels held in Trinity College, was written here by monastic scholars. Founded at much the same time as the Abbey, you can also explore the 14th century ruins of an Augustinian nunnery - one of the best-preserved medieval nunneries in Britain.
The sport of Golf has no shortage of spectacular locations to play, but Iona's wild course is as unique as it is stunning. A rugged alternative to the manicured courses found elsewhere, the course in Iona is kept clipped by the cattle and sheep that graze on the machair. Add in howling winds, breath-taking sea views and a menagerie of wandering wildlife (including sheep and cows) and you may just have the wildest, most natural golf course in the world! Free to play, or pick up a score-card at the local post office for a small donation.
Like everything on Iona, the island's cultural scene is bound up in Iona's unique heritage. From its illuminated manuscripts to the intricately carved 8th and 9th century crosses that can be seen in the Abbey Museum, the island is a rich source of inspiration for visitors and artists alike. The Iona Heritage Centre tells the story of Iona's artists, including renowned silversmiths, Alex and Euphemia Ritchie, as well as information on the island's flora and geology. For the contemporary view, don't miss Oran Crafts, where a collective of local artists offers everything from weaving to photography (closed in winter).
