The Last Morning - Sunrise

The last morning I was up early preparing to leave on the 9 a.m. ferry. I woke early at Iona and on this morning I guess I wanted to soak up as much of the last few hours as I could. From the window in the bathroom of the housing area, I looked out and saw the sunrising over the Isle of Mull. It was beyond a beautiful scene. The pictures here speak for themselves. I needn't say more. The week on Iona was a unique and special experience . Now I would head back to Glasgow and look forward to the next journey to Skye.

Last Day -- on Dun I

The last day on Iona a few of us hiked up to the top of Dun I. Dun I literally means "Hill of Iona." It is 332 ft. above sea level and the highest point on the Isle. Atop Dun I sits a stone cairn. What an amazing view from there. You can see all sides of the Isle from there...exhilarating. To the north you see the end of the Isle come to a narrow point extending into the strait. At the end is a very white sand beach called "white strand of monks." It was here on a Christmas Eve in 986 that Vikings rampaged and killed the abbot and 15 monks. History says that was the last of Viking raids on the Isle. Known as an Isle of peace, it has had its share of violence over the centuries.

It was extremely peaceful on the day I climbed atop Dun I. It was a fitting end to "top off" a powerful week on Iona.

Standing next to the cairn atop Dun I. You can see the "white stand of the monks" at the end of the Isle in the photo below.

Celtic Crosses

St. Martin's Cross has stood on the Isle for over 1000 years.

Celtic crosses were prevalent on Iona. The most prominent is the St. Martin's cross. It has stood on Iona for over 1000 years. It is carved from a single block of epediorite. Along with Biblical images is the Celtic pattern of weaving vines that symbolize the intertwining of heaven and earth, matter and spirit. There are remains of 5 ancient high crosses on Iona. A few others dot the island as memorials. They are reminders of the significant and sacred place that is Iona.

Two shots of the St. John's Cross standing in front of the Abbey

This cross along the road to the north end of the isle was erected in 1878 by the Duke of Argyll in memory of his wife. There was a long connection between the Argyll family and Iona. In 1693 the Argyll family took possession of much of the Isle including the Abbey which was in much ruin. In the 1800's, the eighth Duke of Argyll began restoration and later gave it over to a trust. He had two conditions - that is be restored to a place of worship and not a tourist museum and that it be a home for Christians of all denominations. Inside the Abbey is a monument to him and a tomb of his wife. Interesting for me in all this is that my hometown is Argyle, Wisconsin. The town is named after the Scottish Duke of Argyle (Argyll).

The Nunnery

On the shortcut walking path between the ferry landing and the Abbey sits the ruins of an Augustinian Nunnery built in the 13th century. The path runs though the grounds and the ruins. Amidst the remaining stone walls are patches of lawn used often as places to meditate or just relax in peace. Between rocks in the walls grow small ferns and a few small trailing flower vines. Imagine how they survive with just the moist air and the damp deteriorating mortar between rocks to gain a footing and some nutrients.

There seems to be a metaphor around every corner on Iona. In reading a bit about the Nunnery, it is noted that there has been interest at times to restore the Nunnery, but nothing ever transpires. Is it possible that places of women did not, or do not yet, receive the priority given to places of men, like the Abbey? A section from a small book on Iona pilgrimage point out that the Nunnery as is is a witness in itself. It suggests that the Nunnery symbolized that much of our community life, at least in Western society, lies in ruins; that struggles for equality between genders have a long way to go; and that cries of oppressed - women, children and men - still are heard loudly.

Amazing tiny ferns and plant grow between rocks on the Nunnery walls

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Amidst all the ruins are a few small gardens and colorful planters....creating a unique beauty of its own.

If you look close you'll see the lamb upon the rock through the Nunnery ruin, rock window casing. This was just such an interesting and ironic scene.

Water all around

Iona is a small isle with areas of beautiful sand beach and areas with rocky outcroppings. Maybe it's because I'm a Pisces, but I always long to be near water, not necessarily in it, but on it and by it. The waters surrounding Iona have the deepest shades of aqua. On the north end of the isle is a section of beach with pure white sand. On the south end of the isle is St. Columba Bay with stronger waves and rolled stones and gravel. Near the ferry landing small boats are moored making for some of the most picturesque scenes of Iona. Even on a grey day the ocean presents an eerie beauty. At Martyrs Bay just south of the pub the sand is pure white. It's a beautiful spot. But, as the name implies, it has a not so pleasant side. In 806 Viking invaders massacred 68 monks at this site. Water has such power. Celtic religion believed water was a dwelling place for divinities. Of course we know of all the references to water's importance in Christianity. Water sustains life, it is abundant, yet some in this world must walk miles each day just to obtain a sustaining supply for a day.

The ferry landing harbor with Iona Abbey just a short way up the isle.

Sunny afternoon at the ferry landing

Pure white sand at Martyrs Bay

Water every shade of aqua and blue

On the north end beaches you'll find strange looking, colorful outcroppings and sheep grazing on the ocean's edge

Even a grey day makes for a beautiful Scottish scene

People build community!

"Hoovering with a smile!"

It's Thanksgiving Day now. Much to be thankful for, especially people in my life. Some come and go, others hang around a while, while others are here for the long haul. All enrich the journey. The trip to Iona was as much about people as place. During the week at Iona, we live in community. Everyone pitches in with chores (or at least we were all assigned to a team responsible for some chores.) Funny how working, playing, hanging out and worshiping together builds community. Prior to leaving for Scotland, I only knew Carol from our group of 14 from Minnesota. Met the others only once. During the week in the Iona Community got to create additional connections with others from Scotland, England, Ireland and a few other places. Each adds a unique quality to the community. My week at Iona was rich with fun people, new perspectives, a few challenging viewpoints to contemplate and a few new friendships. I'm thankful today for the people that made my participation in the Iona Community a time to remember and cherish.

Can't always be serious!

Our "team" had kitchen duty; every morning cutting veggies.

Eating together sure builds community.

It was often tea time.

Did I say sheep and golf course!

Yes, sheep where everywhere on the isle grazing on meadows, hillsides and along the one or two roadsides on the island. Their busy mouths clipped the grass close to the earth. They are the natural groundskeepers on the isle's golf course. What an interesting course it is. It is located on the Machair, a common public grazing area on the isle's west side that runs from the crest of the hill to the overlook and beach called "Bay at the Back of the Ocean." It was a public place of agriculture used by Celtic monks and later by Benedictines to raise corn. The golf course is used often, but putting must be interesting as sheep graze, cattle rest and golf balls are diverted when they bounce off sheep droppings. It was quite surreal.

The "Thin Place"

The small Isle of Iona drips with raw natural beauty. It's a nature that's not overpowering. It's a nature that provides comfort and is close by at all times from the ocean shores, white sand beaches, rocky outcroppings, lush green meadows, heather covered hillsides and sheep, yes sheep, everywhere. Along the pilgrimage on Iona I was struck by the scene in this picture (click on pic for closer look.) It's one of my favorites of more than 700 shots I took. Through the misty scene a stone fence sheltered a newly mown field. It was so picturesque and captured a vision I held of what the British Isles would look like, so pastoral. It was hard to tell where the misty heavens ended and the lush green earth began. It also captures for me something on Iona called the "thin place." George MacLeod, the creater of the Iona Community, is credited for originally saying that Iona itself was a "thin place" where the material and spiritual came close to each other. It is symbolized in the Celtic pattern of weaving vines that point to the intertwining of heaven and earth. Along the pilgrimage and in many moments during the week on Iona I experienced "thin place" moments. There was a unique calm connection with all around -- people and nature. Sometimes I wondered which side of the thin place I was experiencing.

Gardens of Iona

Thistle, the flower of Scotland

Lots of sun, yet cool and misty, the gardens on Iona are beautiful and lush. Fuchsia's were bush-form. One morning I toured the organic vegetable gardens at the St. Columba Hotel just down the road from the Abbey. The lettuce, cole crops, root crops and onions were bountiful. Produce is used in the Hotel dining room. Of course there are many wild flowers also. And thistles....the flower of Scotland.

Lettuce of all colors at St. Columba organic garden

Pilgrimage to St. Columba's Bay on Iona

One of the memorable experiences on Iona was a pilgrimage to a number of sacred and significant locations on the Isle. One of my favorites was St. Columba's Bay. This is the spot where St. Columba is believed to have landed from Ireland in 563. We crossed over boggy meadows, sandy outcroppings and heather covered hillside on a misty, damp, and sometimes rainy day in July. The foggy mist added an aura of mystery to the journey. Interesting to me is that there were no trees on the island except in the small village. It was quiet a beautiful experience, many metaphors to contemplate and it felt very "Scottish."

Pictures of the Iona Abbey and Cloister

Cat in the cloister

Approaching Abbey and Iona from Isle of Mull. Dun I (hill) behind Abbey

Gathering for tea in the cloister.


Abbey from the meadow