The ferry to Iona, MV Loch Buie awaits it's next trip across from Fionnphort to the Isle of Iona. Ì Chaluim Chille in Gaelic, meaning Iona of Saint Columba. The abbey can be seen in the distance across the Sound of Iona.
5th July 2012. From Fionnphort.
5th July 2012. From Fionnphort.
Looking north and as the ferry turns it churns up the crystal clear waters of the Sound of Iona.
5th July 2012. From the ferry MV Loch Buie, Fionnphort, Isle of Mull.
5th July 2012. From the ferry MV Loch Buie, Fionnphort, Isle of Mull.
Iona Abbey. A view from the ferry in the middle of The Sound of Iona.The abbey attracts pilgrims from around the world and it is one of the oldest and most important religious centres in Western Europe.
5th July 2012. From the ferry MV Loch Buie, the Sound of Iona.
5th July 2012. From the ferry MV Loch Buie, the Sound of Iona.
The main settlement, located at St. Ronan's Bay on the eastern side of the island is called Baile Mòr and is also known locally as "The Village".
5th July 2012. From the ferry MV Loch Buie, the Sound of Iona.
5th July 2012. From the ferry MV Loch Buie, the Sound of Iona.
Another view of the abbey from the ferry. The island is home to around 125 people. The Iona community was founded in 1938 by the Rev George MacLeod, an ecumenical Christian community of men and women from different walks of life and different traditions in the Christian church.
5th July 2012. From the ferry MV Loch Buie, the Sound of Iona.
5th July 2012. From the ferry MV Loch Buie, the Sound of Iona.
View from the jetty looking south. Iona lies approximately 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) from the coast of Mull. It is 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) wide and 5.6 kilometres (3 miles) long and has many white sand beaches, mainly on its western shores.
5th July 2012. From Baile Mòr jetty.
5th July 2012. From Baile Mòr jetty.
Looking north from the jetty at Baile Mòr.
5th July 2012. From Baile Mòr jetty.
5th July 2012. From Baile Mòr jetty.
In 563, Columba came to Iona from Ireland with twelve companions and founded a monastery which grew to be an influential centre for the spread of Christianity among the Picts and Scots.
5th July 2012. From the abbey grounds.
5th July 2012. From the abbey grounds.
The original Benedictine Abbey was substantially rebuilt following the Duke of Argyll's gift of all the buildings in 1899 to the Church of Scotland, which undertook extensive restoration of the site.
5th July 2012. From the abbey grounds.
5th July 2012. From the abbey grounds.
The surrounding buildings were also re-constructed during the 20th century by the Iona Community.The site was much loved by John Smith, Leader of the Labour Party. After his sudden death in 1994, he was buried on Iona.
5th July 2012. From the abbey grounds.
5th July 2012. From the abbey grounds.
The cloisters around the inner gardens. They were restored in 1958-9 from fragments of the orginals and new carvings. On the walls are 29 ancient gravestones brought inside from the abbey grounds to preserve them.
5th July 2012. Iona Abbey.
5th July 2012. Iona Abbey.
The sunlight shines through the columns on the other side of the cloisters. The contemporary Jedburgh based sculptor Christopher
Hall worked for many years on carvings on the cloisters of the abbey, which represent birds, flora and fauna native to the island.
5th July 2012. Iona Abbey.
5th July 2012. Iona Abbey.
The nave of the abbey church was restored at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, the Iona Community continues the tradition of worship first established by St Columba 1450 years ago.
5th July 2012. Iona Abbey.
5th July 2012. Iona Abbey.
A close up of the Abbey church window. This was donated by the Highlanders of Nova Scotia during the restoration of the nave.
5th July 2012. Iona Abbey.
5th July 2012. Iona Abbey.
A replica of St. John's cross. The original cross hasn't survived well and the remaining fragments have been re-erected in the infirmary museum, together with fragments from St. Matthew’s and St. Oran’s crosses.
5th July 2012. Iona Abbey.
5th July 2012. Iona Abbey.
St Martin’s cross is sculpted from a single stone carved in the late 700's. The west face has scenes from the Bible. The east face is richly adorned with bosses and serpents. It is remarkable shape considering its been stood on this site for over 1200 years.
5th July 2012. Iona Abbey.
5th July 2012. Iona Abbey.
The ferry on its return journey to the island passes St. Martin's cross. The remains of the 13th-century St. Mary's chapel can be seen to the left.
5th July 2012. Iona Abbey.
5th July 2012. Iona Abbey.
The ten minute ferry crossing takes place every thirty minutes so the ferry only stays at the jetty for five minutes at most before heading back to Fionnphort. Only residents are allowed to bring cars onto the island and the ferry mainly carries foot passengers. 120,000 people per year visit the island and its abbey.
5th July 2012. From Baile Mòr jetty.
5th July 2012. From Baile Mòr jetty.