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Abbey
Iona Abbey
Benedictine abbey founded around 1200 on the site of St Columba's monastery; its museum holds early medieval carved stones and crosses.
A mini guide to
Iona and the Ross of Mull
Iona Abbey and Nunnery, Staffa's basalt columns and the long peninsula to Fionnphort
Welcome to the area
Iona Abbey and Nunnery, Staffa's basalt columns and the long peninsula to Fionnphort
The Ross of Mull is the long south-western arm of Mull that ends at Fionnphort, the port for Iona. On the way, a rough coastal walk from Carsaig leads to the Carsaig Arches. From Fionnphort the ferry crosses the Sound of Iona in about 10 minutes; most vehicles are not allowed on Iona, so visitors leave cars at the free Columba Centre car park.
Iona is about 6 km long, with around 180 residents in the village of Baile Mòr. St Columba founded a monastery here, and Historic Scotland looks after Iona Abbey, founded around 1200, and the ruined Augustinian nunnery. The Iona Community, formed in 1938, still worships in the abbey. Boat trips from Fionnphort and Iona visit Staffa and Fingal's Cave.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Ruined nunnery
Iona Nunnery
Ruins of an Augustinian nunnery founded in the early 1200s, next to the village; among the most complete in Scotland.
Chapel
St Oran's Chapel
Twelfth-century chapel beside the abbey, restored along with it and part of the Iona monastic scheduled monument.
Carved cross
MacLean's Cross
Finely carved 15th-century cross beside the medieval street of the dead, where pilgrims from the boats stopped to pray.
Island and sea cave
Staffa and Fingal's Cave
Uninhabited island of basalt columns; Fingal's Cave inspired Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture. Reached only by boat trip.
Directions Website Report a problem with Staffa and Fingal's Cave
Natural arches
Carsaig Arches
Natural rock arches below the cliffs of the Ross of Mull, west of Carsaig Bay; a long, rough coastal walk.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Iona and the Ross of Mull and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Cross on foot
CalMac says most vehicles are not allowed on Iona; a permit is needed for any exception.
2
Allow time to drive the Ross
Fionnphort is at the far end of the Ross of Mull from Craignure, mostly on single-track road.
3
Book Staffa trips
Staffa can only be reached by boat trip; operators such as Staffa Tours sail from Fionnphort and Iona in season.
4
Abbey tickets
Historic Scotland sells tickets for Iona Abbey and Nunnery online; members enter free.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
Everything for Iona and the Ross of Mull
Photo credits
- Iona and the Ross of Mull (area photo): Lisa Stevens from Sutton Coldfield, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Iona Abbey: Akela NDE (talk), CC BY-SA 2.0 fr, source
- Iona Nunnery: Otter, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- St Oran's Chapel: Keith Laverack, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Staffa and Fingal's Cave: Sally Hackney, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Carsaig Arches: Hopgrove james, Public domain, source
- Tobermory and Mull: Philippe Giabbanelli, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Mull and Iona