White Strand of the Monks, Iona and Ben More

What a very special place Iona is. We caught it on a good day with plenty of sunshine I know. I’m sure there is a spirituality about the place which isn’t evident on Mull. There’s immediately a different feel to the air when you step off the ferry.

It’s a far prettier place than the main island too, homely, more facilities, more to see and do. That is obviously due to its status and its association with the early Christians. There’s a thriving community, a school and a good shop, pleasant hotels as well as other accommodation. Some people, we understand, come straight to Iona from the ferry and have never stopped on Mull at all.

We strolled through the ruins of the Nunnery, had lunch on a sheltered sunlit bench, listened to children playing in the school yard over the Nunnery wall. We gave the Abbey a miss this today and headed north towards the main “hill” on the island Dun I which repaid the ascent with superb 360 degree views.

From there we walked to the far north of the island and its 3 spectacular beaches, this one, the White Strand of the Monk on the east shore and Strand of the Seat and Strand of the Boundary on the more exposed north shore. All were a delight. After yesterday’s weather we felt we’d arrived. On the latter beach was a group of people, dressed all in black, gathered around a couple of extensive labyrinths they’d constructed from pebbles.

On an island only 3 miles by 1 we managed to cover 6 miles overall, taking our time, enjoying the experience, ending the day with tea in the lounge of the St Colomba Hotel with lovely views back on to Mull where we came across the same group in the garden and lounge. I think they were German but I couldn’t be sure.

While driving back to the cottage, listening to the Waterboys “Peace of Iona” we saw our first golden eagle riding the breeze over the moorland alongside the road. I managed a photo but only at extreme range on the zoom. A fitting end to a very special day.