CEFAA Magazine April 2019

Iona – an Inner Hebrides island
After a few years away from this ancient holy Island a friend and I
decided to return by a very short ferry crossing from the Isle of Mull,
where I left my car in a local car park. Iona is three miles long and
one mile wide, looking out onto an ocean. It is known as the place
where St Columba landed in 563 AD, bringing Christianity. My dear
mother always wished to visit Iona but unfortunately could not visit
the island of her dreams, however I was able to visit the Abbey and
Nunnery in order to leave a donation which will help to support the
Iona Community who are responsible for some maintenance.
We enjoyed short walks including one to the RC Oratory perched
high on the island. Inside a quiet atmosphere enabled us to meditate
whilst viewing the beauty all around through the narrow windows.
A cross attracted my attention. Made of local Iona marble it stood
high on a large piece of marble and granite rock featuring a green
colour – very beautiful.
After our ferry to the Isle of Mull, where I collected my car we took
the road to Tobermory, quite hazardous driving through the
mountainous pass of Glen More on a single track road. Next day
was my birthday, when we took a Whale Watch boat trip out to sea.
It was cold but we were well clothed and enjoyed the excitement the
boat created at speed. We saw Whales and hundreds of seals basking
on the rocks. I could see the mountains on Skye and Ben Nevis on
the mainland. Leaving, I could not miss the varied colours of the
Tobermory buildings which overlooked the harbour.
We took the Craignure ferry to Oban, where we enjoyed a few days
absorbing the mountain / sea beauty.
Eventually we left the Hebrides and took the ‘High Road’ east
through the Trossachs National Park where I noticed the vast number
of trees of varying species, in particular conifers and Rowans, now
with berries coming up and planted profusely.
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