A Quick Guide To Exploring Iona & Iona Abbey
When you visit the Isle of Mull you can also visit the other islands that are situated off Mull’s coast. Iona is undoubtedly the most popular of them all and it’s easy to see why, not least because of the stunning Iona Abbey.
Arriving at Iona and the waters of St Ronan’s Bay
The journey starts in Fionnphort, Mull’s most south westerly village. You can tuck into fresh seafood on the slipway whilst you wait for the ferry. The return ticket will set you back a very reasonable £3.30 for an adult or £1.70 for a child.
The crossing takes ten minutes and you will arrive at Iona’s largest settlement, Baile Mor. The sea in St Ronan’s bay is such a striking blue colour, the white sandy beaches and stone cottages couldn’t be any more picturesque.
Watch our video guide to visiting Iona:
Most visitors make a bee line for the Abbey, a short walk that takes in some of the sights of Iona on the way.
Iona Abbey as seen across St Ronan’s Bay
A bench on Iona encourages visitors to absorb the peace
Iona post office with the ferry turning in the distance
The site of Iona Abbey dates from 563, when St Columba established a monastery on the island. Tickets to enter the Abbey are purchased at the Historic Scotland ticket office.
There’s lots to see in the abbey including the impressive cloisters, which have undergone restoration and feature many impressive stone carvings:
The cloisters in Iona Abbey
A face carved in stone in the cloisters of Iona Abbey
One of the corner carvings of Iona Abbey cloisters
Detail of the stone columns of Iona Abbey’s cloisters
After you have looked around the Abbey you can enjoy lunch at one of Iona’s eateries before exploring other areas of the island.
The whole of Iona from south to north
Many visitors climb Dun I, the island’s highest point. North beach at Iona’s northern most tip is a stunning beach too, with great views back to Mull.
A sign points the way to Dun I, the highest point on Iona
The white sands of North beach on Iona with Mull in the distance
On Iona’s west and southern coast you can enjoy relative peace and quiet as most visitors stick to the island’s east coast and the area around Abbey.
Iona makes a great day out from Mull and is on most visitors ‘to do’ list.