Iona
Early this morning, Lord of the Glens headed south through the Sound of Mull. Leaving picturesque Tobermory, we were bound for Craignure, the principle port that connects Mull with the Scottish mainland. The Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to Oban pulled off the dock as we approached.
The Isle of Mull is magnificent. Sculpted by glaciers, the green hillsides are bisected by streams and waterfalls. Basaltic bedrock yields to pink granite on the Ross of Mull. Here, in Fionnphort, we caught the small ferry for the ten minute crossing of the aquamarine Sound of Iona.
Rich in historic and religious significance, Iona is but five square miles in area. Stopping at the stunning ruins of the thirteenth century nunnery, our historian Carol Knott painted a word picture describing the stories of Saint Columba and his disciples.
Moving into the island’s interior, we paid our respects at the cemetery adjacent to the famous Abbey. It is estimated that more than fifty Scottish, Irish and Norwegian Kings are buried in the hallowed ground of Iona, including both Duncan and Macbeth. Finally, to the Abbey and cloisters where Carol continued with Columba’s story.
After a fine and hearty lunch at the Saint Columba hotel, our explorations continued back to Mull and on to Duart Castle, the ancestral home of clan MacLean. Steeped in history, Duart has impressive and commanding views of the surrounding countryside and waterways.
After dinner, we had a visit from Sue and Richard Dewar, who run the raptor rehabilitation center, Wings Over Mull. They kept us rapt as they brought out live hawks and owls that act as ambassadors to teach about their species and the threats that they face.
Early this morning, Lord of the Glens headed south through the Sound of Mull. Leaving picturesque Tobermory, we were bound for Craignure, the principle port that connects Mull with the Scottish mainland. The Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to Oban pulled off the dock as we approached.
The Isle of Mull is magnificent. Sculpted by glaciers, the green hillsides are bisected by streams and waterfalls. Basaltic bedrock yields to pink granite on the Ross of Mull. Here, in Fionnphort, we caught the small ferry for the ten minute crossing of the aquamarine Sound of Iona.
Rich in historic and religious significance, Iona is but five square miles in area. Stopping at the stunning ruins of the thirteenth century nunnery, our historian Carol Knott painted a word picture describing the stories of Saint Columba and his disciples.
Moving into the island’s interior, we paid our respects at the cemetery adjacent to the famous Abbey. It is estimated that more than fifty Scottish, Irish and Norwegian Kings are buried in the hallowed ground of Iona, including both Duncan and Macbeth. Finally, to the Abbey and cloisters where Carol continued with Columba’s story.
After a fine and hearty lunch at the Saint Columba hotel, our explorations continued back to Mull and on to Duart Castle, the ancestral home of clan MacLean. Steeped in history, Duart has impressive and commanding views of the surrounding countryside and waterways.
After dinner, we had a visit from Sue and Richard Dewar, who run the raptor rehabilitation center, Wings Over Mull. They kept us rapt as they brought out live hawks and owls that act as ambassadors to teach about their species and the threats that they face.
