Iona | island, Inner Hebrides, Scotland, United Kingdom | Britannica.com island, Inner Hebrides, Scotland, United Kingdom Written By: Scotland 1980s overview Iona, island of the Inner Hebrides , Strathclyde region, Scotland . It is 3 miles (5 km) long by 1.5 miles (2.4 km) wide, with its highest point just under 330 feet (100 m) above sea level, and is separated by the Sound of Iona (0.7 miles [1.1 km] wide) from the large island of Mull . Most of the island is rough grazing land, but there is some permanent pasture, and sheep and cattle are raised. Tourism and crofting (small-scale farming) are the main economic activities. West facade of the Cathedral of St. Mary, with St. Martin’s Cross, Iona, Scotland A.F. Kersting Iona was readily accessible by sea from Ireland , and it was here that St. Columba landed in ad 563 to begin his Christianization of Scotland.

From his monastery on Iona, Columba established the Celtic church and sent missionaries throughout mainland and insular Scotland. He died in 597 and was buried on the island. During the period from 795 to the late 10th century, the pagan Norsemen repeatedly invaded the island. The original monastery was burned down and the monks murdered. Iona’s insecurity led to the transfer in 849 of the relics of St. Columba to the safety of Kells in Ireland. By the 11th century the monastery had been rebuilt and was included by the Norsemen (by now converted to Christianity) in their diocese of Man and the Isles. In 1154 this see was put under the archbishop of Trondheim, in Norway, and it retained this status until 1266, when the Hebrides were ceded to Scotland. Throughout centuries of invasion and warfare, the reputation of the island as a holy place flourished, and it became the burial place of Scottish, Irish, and Norwegian kings.

The monastery was suppressed after the Protestant Reformation, and in 1693 the island passed into the overlordship of the Campbells of Argyll , until 1899, when the 8th duke of Argyll presented the ruined abbey to the Church of Scotland . The abbey was gradually rebuilt and was opened again for public worship in 1912. In 1938 George MacLeod, a Glasgow minister, founded the Iona Community . Pop. (2001) 125. Learn More in these related articles: From the Monastery on the Small Island of Iona, the Conversion of Pagan Scotland and Much of Northern England (Circa 563) : HistoryofInformation.com Visit HistoryofScience.com » From the Monastery on the Small Island of Iona, the Conversion of Pagan Scotland and Much of Northern England (Circa 563) Exiled from his native Ireland, in 563 Saint Columba founded with 12 companions a monastery on the small island of Iona in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. From there the monks undertook the conversion of pagan Scotland and much of northern England to Christianity.

Iona's fame as a place of learning and Christian mission spread throughout Europe. It became a major site of pilgrimage, and the burial ground of several kings of Scotland, Ireland and Norway. "The establishment of Iona as the centre of Celtic Christianity outside Ireland by Columba c. 563 marked the effective beginning of the conversion of Scotland and led on in time to the foundation of such important monasteries as Lindisfarne in Northumbria and Malmesbury in the south-west. Even more spectacular was the continental mission of Columbanus [not to be confused with Columba] who blazed a trail accross Europe marked out by such important monastic foundations as those of Luxeuil in Burgundy (590), from which Corbie was founded a century later, Bobbio in northern Italy (614) and Saint Gall , which developed from a hermitage which his pupil Gallus established in Switzerland c. 613" (Reynolds & Wilson, Scribes and Scholars 3rd ed [1991] 87).

Inner Hebrides | TARTAN BLOOD Inner Hebrides Post by andi on Feb 17, 2007 4:14:17 GMT 10 Gometra Gometra is an island in the Scottish Inner Hebrides, lying southwest of Mull. It lies immediately northwest of Ulva, to which it is linked by a bridge, and at low tide also by a beach. It is approximately 2 square miles in extent. The island is agricultural, formerly growing grain for the monastery on Iona. Once home to a population of over a hundred, it is now down to a tight-knit community of a handful of people, up to a thousand black face sheep, a flock of feral goats, and red deer. Historical sights on the island include an old burial ground, the remains of two duns and old settlements. It has no school, doctor, ferry or postal service. The etymology of the name has been traced to both the Norse Godrmadray meaning "warrior priest's island" and the Gaelic Gu mòr traigh meaning "only at low tide", but the latter is an example of folk etymology.

Gometra's Gaelic name is 'Gòmastra', showing its Norse origin. Gometra House had fallen into disrepair by the 1980s, but was reoccupied and restored as a family home in the 1990s. For most of its history, the Island has belonged to descendants of Viking settlers of Sodor or the Kingdom of Man, who intermarried with the original Pictish rulers of the area. Post by andi on Feb 17, 2007 4:23:31 GMT 10 Iona Iona is a small island, in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. Iona has an important place in the history of Christianity in Scotland and is popular for its tranquility and natural beauty. Its Gaelic name is Ì Chaluim Cille (Saint Columba's Island), or sometimes just Ì or Idhe. Iona lies approximately one mile (1.6 km) from the coast of Mull.

The island is 1 mile wide (1.6 km) and 3.5 miles (5.6 km) long with a resident population of 125.[1] Iona's highest point is Dun I (101 m), an Iron Age hill fort dating from 100BC-AD200. Its geographical features include the Bay at the Back of the Ocean and Càrn Cùl ri Éirinn (the Hill with His Back to Ireland), said to be adjacent to the beach where Saint Columba first landed. History In 563 Saint Columba, exiled from his native Ireland, founded a monastery here with 12 companions. From here they set about the conversion of pagan Scotland and much of northern England to Christianity. Iona's fame as a place of learning and Christian mission spread throughout Europe and it became a major site of pilgrimage. Iona became a holy island where several kings of Scotland, Ireland and Norway came to be buried. Many believe that the Book of Kells was produced, in whole or in part, on Iona towards the end of the 8th century.

A series of Viking raids on the monastery on Iona began in 794, and after its treasures had been plundered many times, Columba’s relics were removed and divided two ways between Scotland and Ireland in 849 as the monastery was abandoned.[2] A convent for the Order of Benedictine Nuns was established in 1203, with Beathag, daughter of Somerled, as first prioress. The present Benedictine abbey was built in the same period. The monastery itself flourished until the Reformation when buildings were demolished and all but three of the 360 carved crosses destroyed.[3] Iona Abbey Iona Abbey, now an ecumenical church, is of particular historical and religious interest to pilgrims and visitors alike. It is the most elaborate and best-preserved ecclesiastical building surviving from the Middle Ages in the Western Isles of Scotland. In front of the Abbey stands the 9th century St Martin's Cross, one of the best-preserved Celtic crosses in the British Isles, and a replica of the 8th century St John's Cross (original fragments in the Abbey museum).

The ancient burial ground, called the Reilig Odhráin, contains the 12th century chapel of St Odhrán (said to be Columba's uncle), restored at the same time as the Abbey itself. It contains a number of medieval grave monuments. The abbey graveyard contains the graves of many early kings of Scotland, as well as kings from Ireland, Norway and France. Iona became the burial site for the kings of Dál Riata and their successors. Notable burials there include: King Kenneth I of Scotland King Donald II of Scotland King Malcolm I of Scotland King Duncan I of Scotland King Macbeth of Scotland King Donald III of Scotland In 1549 an inventory of 48 Scottish, 8 Norwegian and 4 Irish kings was recorded. None of these graves are now identifiable (their inscriptions were reported to have worn away at the end of the 17th century). The graveyard is also the final resting place of John Smith, the former Labour Party leader, who loved Iona.

His grave is marked with an epitaph quoting Alexander Pope: "An honest man's the noblest work of God".[4] Other early Christian and medieval monuments have been removed for preservation to the cloister arcade of the Abbey, and the Abbey museum (in the medieval infirmary). The ancient buildings of Iona Abbey are now cared for by Historic Scotland (entrance charge). Community In 1938 George MacLeod founded the Iona Community, an ecumenical Christian community of men and women from different walks of life and different traditions in the Christian church committed to seeking new ways of living the gospel of Jesus in today's world. This community is a leading force in the present Celtic Christianity revival. The Iona Community runs 3 residential centres on the Isle of Iona and on Mull. These are places of welcome and engagement giving a unique opportunity to live together in community with people of every background from all over the world. Weeks at the centres often follow a programme related to the concerns of the Iona Community. Other Visitors can reach Iona by the 10-minute ferry trip across the Sound of Iona from Fionnphort on Mull.

There are very few cars on the island, as they are tightly regulated and access with vehicles is not allowed for non-residents, who have to leave their car in Fionnphort. The island is small enough that one generally doesn't need a car. A horse-drawn carriage can be hired at the pier. Bike hire is available at the pier, and on Mull. Iona Nunnery is a site of beautiful 12th-13th century ruins of the church and cloister, and a colourful and peaceful garden. Unlike the rest of the Abbey buildings, the nunnery has not been restored and is the most complete survival of a medieval nunnery in Scotland. Iona is home to the Monastery Of Sound, a club night in the Iona Village Hall, which is held every Friday from June until September. The Monastery Of Sound also sponsors the Iona Beach Party, which is held in Mid-July and is now in its third year.

1 ^ Scotland Census 2001 - anaylser 2 ^ BBC - Iona - A Beacon of Light Through the Dark Ages 3 ^ Travel Scotland Post by andi on Feb 20, 2007 0:30:23 GMT 10 Kerrera Kerrera is a beautiful unspoilt island in the Scottish Inner Hebrides, close to the town of Oban. In 2005, it has a population of about 35 people and is linked to the mainland by passenger ferry on the Gallanach Road. The island is known for the ruined Gylen Castle, built in 1582, and for its wildlife, wonderful views, fascinating geology and peaceful atmosphere (there are no visiting cars on the island). It was also the place where Alexander II of Scotland died in 1249. The highest point on Kerrera is Carn Breugach at 189 metres. Most of the island is owned by the McDougalls of Dunollie, who are descended from the famous Scottish Prince Somerled. The main industry on the island is farming (Sheep and Highland Cattle) and tourism.

There is a Tea garden and Bunkhouse at the south end near Gylen Castle, and B&B accommodation at the north end (Ardentrive Farm). Post by andi on Feb 20, 2007 0:42:44 GMT 10 Lismore Lismore Island (Lios Mór in Gaelic) is an island in Loch Linnhe, in Argyll, on the west coast of Scotland. Saint Moluag Lismore is associated with Saint Moluag (Old Irish Mo-Luóc) (d. 592), who founded a monastery on the island. It was a major centre of Celtic Christianity, and the seat of the later medieval bishopric of Argyll or the Isles. To modern eyes it seems an isolated location for such a centre, but in an era when the fastest and most reliable transport was by water, Lismore was ideally situated. Of the cathedral only the choir survives, in greatly altered form, the nave and western tower having been reduced to their foundations. The building is in use as the parish church of Lismore.

Castles Other major antiquities on Lismore include the impressive broch of Tirefour on the south coast, and two ruinous thirteenth century castles, Castle Coeffin and Achadun Castle, the latter the seat of the Bishop until the early sixteenth century. Ferries Lismore is linked to the mainland by two ferries. A vehicle ferry makes the crossing to Oban, while a foot ferry makes the shorter crossing from the northern tip of the island. Livingstones of Bachuil Lismore is the home of the highland Clan MacLea, whose chief, Alastair Livingstone of Bachuil, Baron of the Bachuil is Coarb of St Moluag and, as such, the hereditary keeper of the saints crozier or pastoral Staff (an early church relic known as the Bachull Mòr). There is some confusion about the nature of the Bachuil land holding. Dr Ian Carmichael, the erudite Minister of Lismore in 1945 published Lismore in Alba which is a fascinating source of information about the island.

From this source the impression is often taken that the Bachuil Lands were held from the church on condition that the holder kept and took care of the crozier of St Moluag. On page 63 he quotes the Marquis of Lorn writing in Adventures in Legend in 1898 “His superiors were the monks or clergy, and the office held under them and for which the lands were granted by them, had duties belonging to them connected with the wants of the monastery or chapter.” However, in a Lyon Court Judgement, in the Case of Livingstone of Bachuil on 21st December 1950 (published in Scots Law Times, December 29 1951), the Lord Lyon King of Arms found in fact, inter alia: That the co-arb of a Celtic abbot was heir of the abbot in his ecclesiastical functions and abbatical mensal territory. His Lordship found in law. That the petitioner, as heritable Keeper of the Bachuil Mor, alias Bachuil Buidhe, viz. the pastoral staff of St Moluag, is co-arb of St Moluag.

Bachuil is therefore all that remains of the old Abbey Lands (Appin literally means “the jurisdiction of, and hence territory owned or ruled by, an ab or abbot, chief dignitary of a monastic community” according to Professor GWS Barrow) and the Baron holds them as Coarb of St Moluag. In his summary the Lord Lyon states No evidence is adduced that the Bachuil and Bachuil-land were ever held “of or under " the Bishop of Lismore, and I do not believe that this was the case. In my view it would have been incompatible with the fundamental nature of the thing, and of being the co-arb of the Saint. The same evidently applies to the Quigerich of St Fillan : it was indeed declared independent. Out of this groundless assertion, however, Dr Carmichael endeavours to argue, at p. 179, that “Keepership of the Bachuil could only "be the gift of the Church" and in fact, of the Church of Scotland of Lismore. A development of this theory, viz.

that the charters by Argyll in regard o the Bachuil and by King James V in regard to he Quigerich of St Fillan were a "usurpation of ecclesiastical authority", is also groundless and a non sequitur for he admits at p. 175 that the “keepership of St Fillan's staff would appear to be Completely independent" of any ecclesiastical power. This, in my view (from the very nature of he original saintly character which "admitted of no earthly, authority and hierarchy"), is just what, was the case, and neither the Roman nor the reformed Church has any locus in regard to the Bachuil. The Crown, in relation to the Quigerich of St Fillan, and the Lord of Lorne in relation to the Bachuil of St Moluag, as being the relative civil authorities responsible in each case, did have a duly (to the saint and co-arb) of guaranteeing inso far as they could, the spiritual liberty and corporeal possession of what pertained to the heir in ecclesiastical co-arbship of the original saint.

In exercising this function the Crown and the Lord of Lorne were in no sense committing “usurpation” at all. They were in each case exercising the duly of affording civil protection to the holy man. They, were ensuring that the civil power could provide that the holder of the Bachuil and the holder of the Quigerich, should (in the words of King James) “be made nane obedience nor ansuere to na persoun spirituale or temporale in ony thing concerning the said haly Relik ". This said provision was no doubt very unpalatable to any bishop or kirk session who might wish to appropriate these insignia and functions of the co-arb of an independent and primitive Celtic saint. The Great Garden or Enclosure The Gaelic name, lios mòr, means "great garden" or "enclosure", reflecting either the fertility of a relatively low-lying island amidst mountainous surroundings, or the presence of a defined sacred area round the early monastery. In the 2001 census, the population was 146, over 45% of whom were over 60 years old, thus making it the Scottish island with the oldest population.

Post by andi on Feb 20, 2007 0:54:39 GMT 10 Oronsay Oronsay (Orasaigh in Scottish Gaelic), also sometimes spelt and pronounced Oransay by the local community, is a small island south of Colonsay in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. It has an area of around 4,600 hectares (11,400 acres), and rises to a height of 93m (305 feet) at Beinn Oronsay. It is linked to Colonsay by a tidal causeway (called 'The Strand') consisting of sands and mud flats. In the 2001 census Oronsay was recorded as having a population of five people, who live at the farm adjacent to Oronsay Priory. The island has no facilities of its own, and is entirely dependent upon its tidal access to and from Colonsay. The rocks and skerries of Eilean nan Ron (Seal Island), to the south-west, are an important grey seal breeding colony. There are two theories for the origin of the name.

Either it is from the Old Norse for Oran's Isle: St Oran was the founder of the island's monastery in 563. It may also mean, also in Old Norse, island of the ebb tide. The island is best known for Oronsay Priory, its 14th century ruined Augustinian priory, probably on the same site as the original 563 building, and the Oronsay Cross, originally carved on Iona. It is one of several Hebridean islands that have furnished archaeologists with invaluable information about the Mesolithic period of prehistory, particularly about the diet of human beings. References On the Monastic Trail: Oronsay in hidden europe magazine, Issue 4 (September 2005), pp.16-18. (Explores Columba's possible landing on Oronsay, the priory and aspects of Oronsay life today) A further useful note on Oronsay appears in The Scottish Islands by Hamish Haswell-Smith, pub. 1996 by Canongate Books. ISBN 0-86241-579-9. See esp.

pp.46-48 Post by andi on Feb 20, 2007 1:12:23 GMT 10 Staffa Staffa (Norse for stave or pillar island) is an island of the Inner Hebrides in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The Vikings gave it this name as its columnar basalt reminded them of their houses, which were built from vertically placed tree-logs.[3] Staffa lies about 10 km (6 mi) west of Mull, and 9 km northeast of Iona. It is longitudinally oriented north-south, and is a kilometre long by about half a kilometre wide. The circumference is almost 3 km, the area is 33 ha[4] and the highest point is 42 m (135 ft) above sea level. It came to prominence in the late eighteenth century after a visit by Sir Joseph Banks who extolled the natural beauty of the basalt columns in general and of the island's main sea cavern which he re-named 'Fingal's Cave'.

His visit was followed by that of many other prominent personalities throughout the next two centuries, including Queen Victoria and Felix Mendelssohn. The latter's Hebrides Overture brought further fame to the island, which was by then uninhabited. It is now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland.[5] Geology and Pre-history In pre-historic times Staffa was covered by the ice sheets which spread from Scotland out into the Atlantic Ocean beyond the Outer Hebrides. After the last retreat of the ice around 20,000 years ago, sea levels were up to 125 metres lower than at present. Although the isostatic rise of land makes estimating post-glacial coastlines a complex task, circa 14,000 BP it is likely that Staffa was a larger island, just off the coast of mainland Scotland, which at that time would have included what is now the Isle of Mull, Iona and the Treshnish Isles.[3] Steadily rising sea levels since that time then further isolated this little island, which is entirely of volcanic origin.

It consists of a basement of tuff, underneath colonnades of a black fine-grained Tertiary basalt, overlying which is a third layer of basaltic lava lacking a crystalline structure. By contrast, slow cooling of the second layer of basalt resulted in an extraordinary pattern of hexagonal and pentagonal columns which form the faces and walls of the principal caves.[1] Similar formations are found at the Giant's Causeway In Ireland, on the island of Ulva and Ardmeanach on the Isle of Mull.[5] Geography In the northeast the isle shelves to a shore, but otherwise the coast is rugged and much indented, numerous caves having been carved out by rain, stream and ocean. There is enough grass on the surface to feed a few cattle, and the island contains a spring. On the east coast are Goat Cave and Clamshell Cave. The latter is 10 m high, about 6 m wide at the entrance, some 45 m long, and on one side of it the ridges of basalt stand out like the ribs of a ship.

Near this cave is the pyramidal rock islet of Am Buachaille (Gaelic: The Herdsman), a pile of basalt columns fully seen only at low tide. Other outlying rocks include Eilean Dubh to the north-west and a series of skerries stretching for half a kilometre to the south-west. On the southwest shore are Boat Cave and Mackinnon’s Cave (named after an 15th Century Abbot of Iona), which has a tunnel connecting it to Cormorant Cave. These caves lie to the south-west and can be accessed from the bay of Port an Fhasgaidh at low tide. Staffa's most famous feature is Fingal's Cave.

This is a huge sea cave near the southern tip of the island some 20 m high and 75 m long formed in cliffs of hexagonal basalt columns called the Colonnade or The Great Face that inspired Felix Mendelssohn's Die Hebriden (English: Hebrides Overture opus 26),[6] which was premiered in London in 1832.[7] The original gaelic name is An Uamh Bhin - 'the melodious cave' but it was subsequently renamed after the 3rd Century Irish warrior Fionn MacCool.[1][8][9] Mendelssohn was nonetheless inspired by the sound of the waves in the cave and waxed lyrical about his visit, claiming that he arrived in Scotland: "with a rake for folk-songs, an ear for the lovely, fragrant countryside, and a heart for the bare legs of the natives."[10] History 18th century The island was originally part of the Ulva estate of the MacQuarries until 1777.

It was brought to the English-speaking world's attention after a visit by Sir Joseph Banks (later a president of the Royal Society) in August 1772. En route to Iceland in the company of the painter Johann Zoffany, the Bishop of Linkoeping, and a Dr. Solander, scientist, he was entertained by Maclean of Drummen, on the Isle of Mull. Hearing about Staffa he resolved to visit and set out from Tobermory the next day. The winds were light and they did not arrive until darkness had fallen.[11][12] Banks wrote: It was to dark to see anything, so we carried our tent and baggage near the only house on the island, and began to cook our suppers, in order to be prepared for the earliest dawn, and to enjoy that which, from the conversation of the gentlemen we had, now raised the highest expectations of.[13] They were not disappointed. Despite becoming infested with lice during his short stay on the island, he provided glowing reports of his visit.[1]. He confessed that he was: forced to acknowledge that this piece of architecture, formed by nature, far surpasses that of the Louvre, that of St.

Peter at Rome, all that remains of Palmyra and Paestum, and all that the genius, the taste and the luxury of the Greeks were capable of inventing.[5][14] Samuel Johnson and his protege James Boswell visited The MacQuarrie on Ulva in 1773, the year after Banks' visit. Perhaps aware that Banks considered that the columnar basalt cliff formations on Ulva called 'The Castles' rivalled Staffa's[15] Johnson wrote: When the islanders were reproached with their ignorance or insensibility of the wonders of Staffa, they had not much to reply. They had indeed considered it little, because they had always seen it; and none but philosophers, nor they always, are struck with wonder otherwise than by novelty.[16] Amongst the first[17] eminent overseas visitors to Staffa were Barthelemy Faujus de Saint Fond, a wealthy French zoologist and mineralogist and the American architect and naturalist William Thornton.

Visiting in 1784, they were suitably impressed, Faujus writing: "this suberb monument of nature, which in regard to its form bears so strong a resemblance to a work of art, though art can certainly claim no share in it."[18] 19th & 20th centuries Subsequently a stream of famous visitors came to view Staffa's wonders including Robert Adam, Sir Walter Scott (1810), John Keats (1818), JMW Turner, whose 1830 visit yielded an oil painting exhibited in 1832, William Wordsworth (1833), Jules Verne (1839), Alice Liddell (the inspiration for Alice in Wonderland) in 1878, David Livingston (1864), Robert Louis Stevenson (1870) and Mendellssohn himself in 1829.[5][19] Wordsworth clearly found the the volume of tourism disappointing. He wrote: We saw, but surely in the motley crowd Not one of us has felt, the far-famed sight: How could we feel it?

Each the others blight, Hurried and hurrying volatile and loud.[20] Writing more than a century later the writer W. H. Murray agreed, complaining that the visitors spoiled the "character and atmosphere", and rather stand-offishly suggesting that "to know Staffa one must go alone".[21] Others were more enthusiastic, despite the presence of numerous others. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were rowed into the cave in the royal barge in 1847,[19][22] and The Times correspondent recorded: As the Royal Squadron cleared out of the Sound of Mull, and round the northern extremity of the island, a noble prospect lay before it, the steep and barren headlands of Ardnamurchan stretching away into the Atlantic on the right, on the left the precipitous cliffs of the Mull coast, and far away and embosomed in the ocean, the fantastic and varied forms of the adjacent islands. The horizon toward the north was a good deal obscured by haze, but, notwithstanding, Skye was distinctly visible...

The deserted and solitary aspect of the island was brought out with a strange and startling effect by the presence of so many steamers; and as Her Majesty's barge with the Royal Standard floated into the cave, the crew dipping their oars with the greatest precision, nothing could be more animated and grand than the appearance which the vast basaltic entrance, so solemn in its proportions, presented.[23] Keats complained about the expense of the ferry, but was captivated by what he saw nonetheless. Displeased with his first efforts to describe this "cathedral of the sea" he finally settled on: Not Aladdin magian Ever such a work began, Not the wizard of the Dee Ever such a dream could see; Not St John, in Patmos Isle, In the passion of his toil, When he saw the churches seven, Golden Aisl'd, built up in heaven, Gazed at such a rugged wonder.[19][24] Tenants and owners However inspiring the scenery, it was not an easy place to live.

In 1772 there was but a single family living on a diet of barley oats, flax and potatoes, and whatever their grazing animals could provide.[1] By the end of the eighteenth century they had deserted Staffa, apparently terrified by the severity of winter storms.[5] Signs of of ‘rig and furrow’ agriculture can still be seen on the island but the only surviving building is the ruin of a 19th century shelter for travellers.[25] By 1800 the island was under the ownership of Colin MacDonald of Loch Boisdale. In 1816 it was sold by a Ranald MacDonald into the care of trustees. There were several private owners during the twentieth century, including Alistair de Watteville, a descendant of Colin MacDonald[1] who wrote a book about the island,[26] until finally it was gifted to the National Trust for Scotland by Jock Elliot Jr. of New York in 1986 as an imaginative way to honour the 60th birthday of his wife, Eleanor.

A grateful National Trust bestowed upon her the honorific 'Steward of Staffa'.[27] Wildlife, visiting Staffa In 1800 there were three red deer on the island, later replaced by goats and then a small herd of black cattle.[1] Subsequently the summer grazing was used for sheep by crofters from Iona but in 1997 all livestock was removed. This has led to a regeneration of the island's vegetation.[25] Puffin, kittiwake, shag and gulls nest on the island and the surrounding waters provide a livelihood for numerous seabirds, grey seals, dolphins, basking sharks and minke and pilot whales.[25] [edit] Visiting Staffa Boat trips from Oban, Dervaig on Mull, Fionnphort and Iona allow visitors to view caves and the puffins that nest on the island between May and September.[28] There is a landing place used by the tourist boats just north of Am Buachaille but disembarkation is only possible in very calm conditions and the island lacks a genuine anchorage.[1] 1 ^ a b c d e f g h i j Haswell-Smith, Hamish.

(2004) The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh. Canongate. 2 ^ Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 First Series (1976) Sheet 48 3 ^ a b Murray, W.H. (1973) The Islands of Western Scotland. London. Eyre Methuen. 4 ^ This is Haswell-Smith's estimate. Keay (1994) states 28 ha. 5 ^ a b c d e Keay, J. & Keay, J. (1994) Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland. London. HarperCollins. 6 ^ Galveston Symphony Program Notes: Mendelssohn Retrieved 10 December 2006. 7 ^ Program Notes: Mendelssohn: "Hebrides" Overture by Geoff Kuenning Retrieved 10 December 2006. 8 ^ Keay & Keay (1994) op cit state that the re-naming was done by Banks, although showcaves.com states that Mendelssohn is blamed for the 'misnaming'.

9 ^ Bray (1996) op cit notes that James Macpherson's Fingal, an Ancient Epic Poem was a "runaway bestseller" in many European countries at the time, and that Banks may later have regretted his choice when it became clear that Macpherson's claims to have translated the work from an ancient Gaelic manuscripts proved to be bogus. 10 ^ The New Encyclopedia Brittanica (1978) Chicago. Encyclopedia Brittanica Inc. 11 ^ Bray, Elizabeth (1996) The Discovery of the Hebrides: Voyages to the Western Isles 1745-1883. Edinburgh. Birlinn. 12 ^ Bray (1996) ibid suggests that Banks' companion was a Bishop of Iceland, but this seems unlikely as Cooper (1979) op cit provides him with a name and a bishopric - see note below. 13 ^ Pennant, Thomas (1772) A Tour of Scotland and a Voyage to the Hebrides. London. Benjamin White. Quoted in Bray (1996) op cit page 90.

14 ^ However, Cooper (1979) op cit is unequivocal in stating that this "hyperbole" was penned by The Bishop of Linkoeping, Uno von Troil, who accompanied Banks. 15 ^ MacNab, Peter (1993) Mull and Iona: Highways and Byways. Edinburgh. Luath Press. 16 ^ Johnson, Samuel (1775) A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland. London. Chapman & Dodd. (1924 edition). 17 ^ In fact Cooper (1979) op cit states that Faujus was the first such person to be attracted to the Hebrides (page 16), but then later (page 26) refers to a prior visit by Uno von Troil in the company of Banks. Perhaps he did not consider Swedish bishops to be sufficiently important to merit this accolade. 18 ^ Faujus de Saint Frond, B. A Journey through England and Wales to the Hebrides in 1784, edited by Sir Archibald Geikie (1907) and quoted in Cooper (1979) op cit.

19 ^ a b c Cooper, Derek (1979) Road to the Isles: Travellers in the Hebrides 1770-1914. London. Routledge & Kegan Paul. 20 ^ Quoted by Haswell-Smith (2004). 21 ^ Murray, W.H. (1966) The Hebrides. London. Heinemann. 22 ^ Keay & Keay (1994) op cit state 1836, which is unlikely. 23 ^ The Times correspondent writing in the Illustrated London News (1847), quoted in Bray (1996) op cit page 244. 24 ^ Bray (1996) op cit page 88, suggests that both Keat's and Wordsworth's attempts are "rather poor verse" and it is hard to disagree. 25 ^ a b c Scottish Natural Heritage:Staffa Retrieved 10 December 2006. 26 ^ de Watteville, Alistair (1993) The Island of Staffa: Its Astonishing Rock Formations Include World-renowned Fingal's Cave.

Romsey Fine Art. 27 ^ Obituaries:Eleanor Elliot (8 December 2006) The Scotsman newspaper. Edinburgh. 28 ^ Show Caves of the World Retrieved 10 December 2006. Post by andi on Feb 20, 2007 1:18:18 GMT 10 Tiree Tiree ( Scottish Gaelic:Thiriodh ) is an island in the Scottish Inner Hebrides southwest of Coll. It has a population of around 800 people. The low-lying island is highly fertile, and crofting, alongside tourism, are the main sources of employment for the islanders. The main village on Tiree is Scarinish, from which ferries sail to Arinagour on Coll and to Oban on the mainland. There is also a small airport near the village. The island's other settlements include Hynish and Sandaig, both of which boast small museums. Tiree is known for the first century BC Dùn Mòr broch, for the prehistoric carved Ringing Stone and for the birds of the Ceann a' Mhara headland.

Tiree is also popular for windsurfing and has a radar station which tracks civil aircraft. In 1770, half of the island was held by fourteen farmers who had drained land for hay and pasture. Instead of exporting live cattle (which were often exhausted by the long journey to market and so fetched low prices), they began to export salt beef in barrels to get better prices. The rest of the island was let to forty-five groups of tenants on co-operative Joint Farms: agricultural organisations probably dating from clan times. Field strips were allocated by annual ballot. Sowing and harvesting dates were decided communally. It is reported that in 1774, Tiresians were 'well-clothed and well-fed, having an abundance of corn and cattle'. The island is known for its vernacular architecture, including 'blackhouses' and 'white houses', many retaining their traditional thatched roofs, as well as its unique 'pudding' or 'spotted houses' where only the mortar is painted white. Tiree has a considerable percentage of Gaelic speakers ( 48.6% from the 2001 Census ) which is high for the Inner Hebrides.

Its name derives from Tireth, 'land of the corn', for from the days of the 6th-century Celtic missionary and abbot St Columba (d. 597). Tiree provided the monastic community on the island of Iona, south-east of the island, with grain. A number of early Christian monasteries once existed on Tiree itself, and several sites have stone cross-slabs from this period, e.g. St Patrick's Chapel, Ceann a' Mhara (NL 938 401) and Soroby (NL 984 416). A large RAF airfield was built on Tiree during World War II; this became the civil airport after the war. There was also a RAF Chain Home radar station at Kilkenneth and a RAF Chain Home Low radar station at Beinn Hough. These were preceded by a temporary RAF Advanced Chain Home radar station at Port Mor and a RAF Chain Home Beam radar station at Barrapol. Post war there was RAF Scarinish ROTOR radar station at Beinn Ghott.

Post by andi on Feb 20, 2007 1:22:26 GMT 10 Ulva Ulva is a privately owned island in the Scottish Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Mull. Until the mid-nineteenth century its main industry was kelp collection and export. A church on the island designed by Thomas Telford dates from this period. There are several ruined settlements on the island, the most famous of which being Ormaig. The island has a population of sixteen people (2001 census) and is known for its wildlife, which includes deer, buzzards, golden eagles and sea eagles. Ulva's interior is heather-covered moorland, while the south coast has basalt columns similar to those on Staffa. A ferry sails from Ulva to the hamlet of Ulva Ferry on Mull. At low tide, Ulva is linked to the island of Gometra. Lachlan Macquarie, Governor of New South Wales, was born on Ulva in 1762.

Scottish Islands - List of islands of Scotland Scotland Travel Guide Islands in Scotland The Scottish islands tend to be classified into four main categories: the Orkneys and Shetlands, and the Outer and Inner Hebrides The Outer Hebrides - or Long Island as they are also known - consist of a narrow 130-mile long chain of islands, lying 40 miles off the northwest coast of the Scottish mainland. Relentlessly battered by fierce Atlantic winds, the islands can seem a hostile environment and an unappealing proposition, particularly if you happen to be stuck there on a wet Sunday without your own means of transport. Much of the interior is bleak peat bog, rocks and endless tiny lochs, and the long, straggling crofting communities only add to the feeling of desolation. But there are also miles of superb beaches, wild mountain scenery, numerous archaeological treasures and long hours of summer daylight in which to appreciate it all. Despite the frequency of transport connections with the mainland, the Outer Hebrides remain remote in every sense. Unlike Skye and the Inner Hebrides, tourism is of far less importance to the local economy. In many ways, the islands are the last bastion of the old Highland life.

Though newer industries such as fish farming have been introduced, the traditional occupations of crofting, fishing and weaving still dominate, and outside Stornoway on Lewis (the only decent-sized town in the islands) life is very much a traditional one, revolving around the seasons and the tides. Almost every islander has more than one occupation, so don't be surprised if the landlady of your guesthouse also weaves Harris Tweed, or if her husband drives the Postbus as well as doing a bit of fishing on the side. This creates a network of relationships where everyone knows everyone else. The Inner Hebrides comprise the great swathe of islands lying off the western coast of Scotland - east of the Outer Hebrides, south of Skye and west of the Kintyre peninsula. Each is very different in appearance and atmosphere and each has its own distinct appeal. The most accessible of the islands is Mull, a short ferry ride from Oban. It's also the most popular by far, and with some justification. The variety of scenery on offer is astounding and its capital, Tobermory, is the most attractive port in western Scotland.

A stone's throw from Mull is tiny Iona, one of the most important religious sites in Europe, with some divine beaches. Boat trips can be made from Mull or Iona to the dramatic island of Staffa, looming out of the sea like a great cathedral and the inspiration for Mendelssohn's 'Hebrides Overture'. Further west, windswept Coll and Tiree offer miles of unspoilt beaches and some great windsurfing and, to the south, Colonsay is a stress-free zone that makes Mull seem hectic. Those who enjoy a good malt whisky should head for Islay, famed for its distilleries, while neighbouring Jura is a wild and beautiful place, perfect for some off-the-beaten-track hiking. If you're after some peace and quiet on Jura then you're in good company, for this is where George Orwell came to write '1984'. Furthest north are the "small islands" of Eigg, Muck, Rùm and Canna, reached from Mallaig, but ignored by most tourists. People come here for the fine bird watching and superb walking. Car space on ferries is limited during the summer months, so it's advisable to book ahead.

There are flights from Glasgow to Port Ellen Islay: 2 daily Mon-Fri and 1 on Sat (40 mins), all year round. From Glasgow to Tiree: 1 flight daily Mon-Sat (45 mins), all year round. For flight times, call British Airways Express, Tel. 08457-733377, the local Tourist Information Centres, or Port Ellen airport, Tel. 01496-302022, and Tiree airport, Tel. 01879-220309. CalMac car and passenger ferries sail to and from Mull, Islay, Coll, Tiree, Colonsay and Gigha, and passenger-only ferries sail to Iona and the Small Isles (Eigg, Muck, Rùm and Canna). The departure point for ferries to Mull, Coll, Tiree and Colonsay is Oban. Ferry times change according to the day of the week and time of the year, so they aren't listed in full below. Services listed below under each separate island are for the summer period (2 Apr-16 Oct).

For full details see the CalMac Ferry Guide or call CalMac, Tel. 08705-650000, reservations@calmac.co.uk (reservations); Tel. 01475-650100, Calmac Ferry Services (general enquiries). For details of bus connections from Oban to Glasgow, contact Scottish Citylink, Tel. 08705-505050. For train services from Mallaig to Fort William and Glasgow, contact Scotrail, Tel. 08457-484950. There are regular daily train and bus services from Glasgow. For full details contact the TIC in Oban, Tel. 01631-563122. The departure point for ferries to Islay (and on to Jura), and some ferries to Colonsay, is Kennacraig. There are daily bus services from Glasgow, via Tarbert . Mallaig is the ferry port for the Small Isles of Eigg, Muck, Rùm and Canna. There are regular bus and train services from Glasgow, via Fort William.

For bus, train and ferry times, pick up Argyll & Bute Council's free Area Transport Guides to Lorn, Mull and Islay & Jura, available at most tourist offices. For times of buses and trains to Mallaig, for the Small Isles, see the South Highland Public Transport Travel Guide (£1), available at main tourist offices. For details on how to get around the Inner Hebrides by public transport, see under the relevant island destination. SHETLAND ISLANDS Puffins, Crofts And Vikings There's a sense of excitement during breakfast as our ship arrives in the town of Lerwick, the main community in the Shetland Island. After we leave the St. Clair there is the first visit of the day to Jarlshof prehistoric and Norse settlement where three acres of remains span some 3.000 years of history, and you'll get a real sense of how these ancient peoples survived in an environment that we would find extremely hostile. A scenic coastal drive brings us to the Shetland Croft House Museum, located within a 19th Century thatched building, and this time we discover a wonderful perspective on rural Shetland life in more recent times.

This afternoon there is a drive to Sullom Voe, home to the mainstay of the islands' economy today-oil-and to remote Brae, overlooking Muckle Roe. ORKNEYS An Orkney Voyage C catch the mind-day sailing to the Orkney Island. The journey lasts for around 8 hours and on board our ship, we'll enjoy dinner en-route. On arrival in Stromness, it's only a short drive to our comfortable hotel in Kirkwall. The administrative capital, Kirkwall, is on a relatively narrow strip of land joining West Mainland and East Mainland. Home to the St Magnus' Cathedral, it has about 8,500 inhabitants and a large port. The only other burgh is Stromness in West Mainland, with a population of about 2,000.The charm of Orkney does not lie in their ordinary physical features, so much as in beautiful atmospheric effects, extraordinary examples of light and shade, and rich coloration of cliff and sea. The islands are notable for the absence of trees, which is partly accounted for by the amount of wind (although the climate in general is temperate).

The formation of peat is evidence that this was not always the case, and deliberate deforestation is believed to have taken place at some stage prior to the Neolithic, the use of stone in settlements such as Skara Brae being evidence of the lack of availability of timber for building. ORKNEY ISLANDS Stone Age Discoveries Orkney is home to many outstanding historic treasures and today will be a unique day of discovery as we begin with St Magnus Cathedral, one of Europe's great architectural achievements and over 860 years old. Our next stop is the extraordinary Italian Chapel, where few will fail to the moved by the dedicated workmanship of the Italian prisoner of war who constructed this place of worship in a humble Nissan hut. Their story and many others will be told as we view Scapa Flow, the scene of momentous event in both World Wars. Located in West Mainland is the 'Heart of Neolithic Orkney', a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This comprises a group of Neolithic monuments which consist of a large chambered tomb (Maes Howe), two ceremonial stone circles (the Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar) and a settlement (Skara Brae), together with a number of unexcavated burial, ceremonial and settlement sites. The group constitutes a major prehistoric cultural landscape which gives a graphic depiction of life in this remote archipelago in the far north of Scotland some 5,000 years ago. Skara Brae When a wild storm on Orkney in 1850 exposed the ruins of ancient dwellings, Skara Brae, the best preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe, was discovered. The excavated farming settlement dates back 5000 years. Within the stone walls of the dwellings - separated by passages - are stone beds, dressers, seats and boxes for provisions, recesses for personal possessions, and a hearth where dried heather, bracken or seaweed was burned.

A replica house has been created next to the site and many original artefacts found at Skara Brae (part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site) are displayed in the visitor centre, which has a café. The Ring of Brogar is a stone circle superbly located on land rising above the saltwater Loch of Stenness and the freshwater Loch of Harray. When first erected there were 60 stones here, in a perfect circle 104m in diameter. Today just 36 of the original stones are still standing, and one of those only just, having been split vertically by a bolt of lightning on 5 June 1980. Tomb of the Eagles Pre-dating the pyramids, 'Tomb of the Eagles' is estimated to be around 5000 years old. Farmer, Ronald Simison (Ronnie) discovered the Tomb in 1958 while looking for rock suitable to craft fencing corner posts. Intrigued by an unusual rock formation, he scratched away some earth revealing a set of nicely finished stone tools, now believed to be ceremonial. Further digging revealed an outside wall encapsulating a black hole.

It was at this point, he lit a cigarette lighter, and had his first encounter with our 5000 year old ancestors! Artifacts found in and around the tomb included bones of some 340 people, white-tailed sea eagle remains and a number of other animal bones, ceremonial and working tools, pottery and beads. From all this, it has been possible to determine not only the age of the tomb but also the heights, diets and lifestyle of our ancestors. The number of white-tailed sea eagle talons and bones suggest that this bird may have been the totem of our neolithic ancestors and gives rise to the familiar name 'Tomb of the Eagles'. Uncovered by a storm in 1850 Skara Brae is one of the best preserved groups of Stone Age houses in Western Europe and our visit will reveal the stone furniture, hearths and drains that present a such remarkable picture of Neolithic life. CRAFTS OF ORKNEY ORKNEY JEWELRY With a passion for her island environment Sheila creates her original designs reflecting nature's wonderful sea, sky and landscape colours. Orkney's history and folklore are also a rich medium for her inspiration.

ITALIAN CHAEPL ORKNEY In early 1942 some 550 Italian prisoners of war, captured in North Africa, were brought to Orkney. They were needed to overcome the shortage of labour working on the continuing construction of the Churchill Barriers. These were the four causeways designed to block eastern access to Scapa Flow following the sinking of HMS Royal Oak by a German U-Boat in 1939.Camp 60 was home to the Italian prisoners from 1942 until early 1945. The camp comprised 13 huts, which the Italians improved with concrete paths (concrete was never in short supply during the construction of the Churchill Barriers) and gardens, complete with flower beds and vegetable plots. Front View of the Chapel Head of Christ Entrance Mosaic Statue of St George Rear View of the Chapel Barrier No 1 from the Chapel In the centre of the camp, one of the prisoners, Domenico Chiocchetti, produced the statue of St George you can still see today, fashioned from barbed wire covered with concrete. The prisoners also worked to produce a theatre and a recreation hut, complete with a billiard table made, perhaps inevitably, from concrete.

One thing Camp 60 did lack was a chapel. In 1943 the camp acquired a new commandant, Major T.P. Buckland. He favoured the idea, as did Father Giacombazzi the Camp Padre. Late in 1943 two Nissen huts were provided. They were joined together end to end, with the intention of providing a chapel in one end and a school in the other. The work of turning the Nissen huts into a chapel fell to the prisoners themselves, led once more by Domenico Chiocchetti. The interior of the east end was lined with plasterboard and Chiocchetti started work on what is now the sanctuary. The altar and its fittings were made from concrete and were flanked by two windows made from painted glass. The gold curtains either side of the altar were purchased from a company in Exeter using the prisoners' own funds. ORKNEYS/MAINLAND We make an early start this morning as we drive to Stromness for the sailing to the mainland. The voyage will take 1 hour & 45 minutes and on the way there are stunning views of the Old Man of Hoy', a spectacular sandstone sea stack.

On arrival at the port of Scrabster, drive to visit Dunrobin Castle, the ancestral home of the Dukes and Earls of Sutherland. This fairytale 13th Century castle has a commanding position overlooking the Dornoch Firth and the story goes that its attractive gardens were inspired by those at Versailles. More info FAIR ISLE Fair Isle, locate halfway between Orkney and Shetland is a bird sanctuary and home to knitwear. The traditional woolen designs made with home spun and home dyed wool, are said to have originated with the Spanish sailors. ISLE OF HARRIS When the Earl of Dunmore bought the island in 1834, his wife promoted the sale of the first Harris Tweeds in London. The crofters' skill had long been famous, but they wove cloth only for themselves or local markets. Annual production now is 6,000,000 yards. ISLE OF MULL & IONA The Sacred Isle Join the modern car ferry for the 40 minute crossing to the Island of Mull As we sail into the sound of Mull look out for wonderful view of Duart Castle, stronghold of the Maclean clan.

On arrival at Craignure, drive through Glen More en-route to Fionnphort where another ferry awaits us for the short crossing to the Island of Iona. It was here in 563 AD that St Columba landed to found a monastery and bring Christianity to Scotland, and many early Scottish Kings and chiefs were buried here including Macbeth. The sense of peace and history that pervades the island will remain. ISLES OF MULL AND IONA The third largest of the Hebredian islands. In 1588 a remnant of the Spanish Armada sank in Tobermory Bay with 3,000,000 gold doubloons aboard. Only a few trinkets have been found. The Isle of Iona, off the southwest tip of Mull is where St. Columba began the effective Christianization of Scotland in 563. Columba's followers preached worldwide. The monastery was attacked by Norse raiders. The oldest Christian burial place is here, popular with Royalty. Macbeth lies here. Travel by ferry to Mull, and travel by scenic landscapes to the ferry for Iona, burial place of many of the Scottish kings and chiefs, including Macbeth.

It was here in 563AD that St. Columba established the first Christian monastery in the British Isles. ISLE OF SKYE Get your cameras ready for romantic Eilean Donan Castle, the most photographed spot in Scotland Travel to Kyleakin by bridge to the Inner Hebredian Isle of Skye. With nearly a thousand miles of dramatic coastline of coral beaches and sheer cliffs, and an interior of wild peat bogs, the Isle of Skye is a compelling destination. It seems a world away in time. The pace of life is slow and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. The island is one of the last strongholds of Gaelic culture and this language is spoken by about half of the population. Much of Skye's appeal lies in its legendary association with Bonnie Prince Charlie. At Dunvegan Castle, the clan Macleod stronghold, begun in the 9th century, the "Fairy Flag" brought back from the Crusades is said to have magical powers. Visit the Clan Donald Centre, with its magnificent park and hear about the 13 centuries of clan history. The day ends with a scenic drive along the "Road to the Isles" back to Ft. William.

You may also board your ferry for the short crossing to the Inner Hebredian Isle of Skye, with nearly a thousand miles of dramatic coastline of sheer cliffs sweeping down to coral beaches, and an interior of wild peat bogs. It has a legendary association with Bonnie Prince Charlie. Visit the Clan Donald Center, and hear about the 13 centuries of clan history. More Info Isle of Arran A ferry ride. A wild landscape. Golden eagles. Fun and laughter. Standing stones. Bite-size mountains rising steeply from the sea. Sandy bays. Coastal walks. Quiet glens. This is a Highland experience in miniature, on one accessible island. \ How to get there: CALMAC Calmac sails to twenty-four destinations on Scotland's West Coast. From Arran in the south to Lewis in the north, they cover some of the most beautiful and dramatic places in Scotland. nDiscover a different world. According to Calmac: 10 Great Island Things to Do Looking for inspiration? We've listed a few of our favourite island adventures to help you decide which island to go to this autumn. 1. Have a dram or three on the Island Whisky Trail.

Sample some of Scotland's most challenging malts in their own homes. Take a tour of one or more of Islay's seven distilleries. 2. Kit yourself out in trendy tweed. Harris tweed, which can only be made by the islanders of the Outer Hebrides, is the fashionista's favourite fabric of the moment. (Where to buy). 3. Go 'Doon the Watter'. The traditional seaside towns of Millport, Rothesay and Dunoon are just a short drive away from Glasgow. Build sandcastles on the beach at Millport, enjoy ice-cream and a stroll along the prom or take afternoon tea in a seaside cafe. 4. Get a real taste of the islands on the Arran Taste Trail. Sample artisan cheeses, hand-made chocolates, fine ales and malt whiskies on a gourmet day out on Arran. 5. Take to Skye via the Road to the Isles. Drive the scenic Road to the Isles from Fort William to Mallaig and then sail 'Over the Sea to Skye' on our Mallaig-Armadale service. 6. Hopscotch and Golf. Our Island Hopscotch connects some of Scotland's finest golf courses.

Choose one or all of Arran's seven courses before using our Lochranza-Claonaig service to access Machrihanish on the Mull of Kintyre. Finish off by hopping over to Islay to tackle championship standard Machrie Golf Links. 7. Go wild in the islands. Scotland's beautiful and unspoilt west coast islands are are home to an amazing diversity of wildlife species. The ferry trip itself is often a one of the best places to spot sealife - sit out on deck and scan the sea for whales, dolphins, seals, basking sharks and porpoises.Mull and the Outer Hebrides are our top tips; look out for golden & white-tailed eagles, otters, puffins and corncrake. (Find out more). 8. Have a real island adventure. Ever wanted to try surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking or paragliding? The island way of life may be relaxing but the activities they offer are anything but. Try Tiree for windsurfing, Arran for paragliding or Harris and Lewis for world class surfing and mountain biking. (Find out more). 9. Take a stroll along a perfect beach.

The islands offer mile after mile of brilliant white shell beaches. Go in autumn when you'll have the place to yourself. Wrap up warm and go with someone you love. Our favourites are Luskentyre & Scarista (Harris), the Bay at the Back of the Ocean (Iona), and Kiloran (Colonsay). 10. Spend a day in the garden. Some of Scotland's finest gardens can be found on the islands. Enjoy a day out to Achamore Gardens on Gigha, Benmore Botanic Gardens near Dunoon or Mount Stuart House, Bute. Island Hopscotch/Rover Take the grand tour of Scotland's islands with Calmac's Island Hopscotch® tickets. Valid for one month from the date of your first journey, Island Hopscotch® tickets let you create your own adventure and travel at your own pace. With 26 options to choose from, this really is the way to travel and save money too. Tickets are valid for one journey on each route and can be used in either direction.

Isle of Iona Travel Guide - Scotland Isle of Iona Travel Guide - Scotland Accommodation Restaurants Golf Courses Places Walks Services Tour Guides The Isle of Iona is located in the Inner Hebrides of >Scotland. The island only measures one mile by 3.5 miles so you won't have any difficulty walking the full length of the island to enjoy its delights. The original name is Chaluim Chille, or Saint Columba's Isle and it is only a mile from the coast of Mull. Isle of Iona dates back to 563 when St. Columba landed here and founded a monastery. Using this as a base, he and his followers set out to bring Christianity to the rest of Scotland and parts of northern England. Many people from all over the world made pilgrimages to Iona and it became the sacred burial place for the Kings of Scotland, Norway and Ireland. The National Trust of Scotland maintains the island and takes care of all the historic sites and monuments. There are many that believe The Book of Kells originated on the Isle of Iona. The Benedictine abbey that stands on this island dates back to the 13th century. The religious influence of the island is still being felt in modern times.

This is the site of the Iona Community, a religious group of all denominations seeking to find their own way to live the gospel of Jesus. There are three residential centres that welcome anyone who wishes to come and live within this community. The Iona Abbey is the site of many pilgrimages, even to this day, as people come to see St. Martin's Cross, which dates back to the 8th century. Visit the Iona Nunnery, which also has withstood the test of time since the 13th century. Learn about the lives of the people who have lived on this island throughout the centuries with a visit to the Iona Heritage Museum. In addition to its religious attractions, this island is a haven for wildlife. Here you can see all kinds of animals roaming freely. Watch the dolphins and whales as they play in the water. You can hire a boat to take you around the island to see the many caves and geological formations, to see the sea birds and seals or to try your hand at handline fishing. If you like to stay on land, rent a bicycle and explore on your own. Take a day sightseeing trip in which you can see and hear the exciting stories about all the places on the island.

The Isle of Iona offers a unique shopping experience to all its visitors. The Iona Abbey Shop, operated by Historic Scotland, has a wide variety of locally made crafts and goods that make excellent souvenirs to take home from your visit. There are also general stores here and several craft stores, bookstores and a shop selling authentic Celtic jewellery. See pottery and ceramics being made that reflect land and seascapes and purchase some of the beautiful pieces to take back home with you. Whether you want to stay in a hotel, a bed and breakfast located in a traditional home or rent a cottage for the duration of your visit, you have these options when you come to Iona.

Question: Which island in the Inner Hebrides became a burial place for several kings of Scotland, Ireland and Norway?
Answer: IONA