Isle of Mull & Inner Hebrides
Iona
About
Iona
Iona is one of Scotland’s most spiritually significant islands. Reachable by boat from Tiree and just off the coast of Mull, Iona is best known for its historic abbey - one of the oldest Christian religious sites in Western Europe, founded by St. Columba. You can see the abbey, soak in the siren scenery and experience the islands quiet beauty during your three hours of exploration. The return journey is made even more unforgettable as it passes by the dramatic Fingal’s Cave and the wildlife-rich Treshnish Isles.
Things to see & do
FAQs
Iona is one of the most sacred sites in the British Isles, the island where St Columba brought Christianity to Scotland from Ireland in 563 AD. Between the restored abbey, the ancient nunnery ruins and its quiet spiritual atmosphere, it's one of Scotland's most moving places to visit.
You reach Iona on a short ferry from Fionnphort at the western tip of Mull. First take the ferry from Oban to Mull, then cross the island by coach or car to Fionnphort. The final hop to Iona takes about five minutes.
Around 170 people live on Iona year-round. The Iona Community, an ecumenical Christian community founded in 1938, keeps a presence here, and there are a handful of hotels, shops and cafés.
Allow at least three to four hours to see the Abbey, walk to the beaches and explore the nunnery ruins, though a full day is ideal. Most people come on a day trip from Oban or Mull, and the island is small enough to explore in an afternoon.
Book a private tour and explore
Iona
with a local expert guide.
Tours visiting this attraction
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