The Isle of Iona or Ì Chaluim Chille (in Scottish Gaelic) was where St. Columba landed in his coracle in 563AD to bring Christianity to Britain.

The island is separated from Mull by the mile wide stretch of water, the Sound of Iona. The Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, the MV Loch Buie runs frequently from Fionnphort on the south-western tip of Mull to Iona village.

The journey from Fionnphort to Iona takes approximately 5 minutes and is for foot-passengers and bicycles, only residents of the island are allowed to take their vehicles onto Iona.  There are car parking facilities in Fionnphort.

Iona is home to the ruins of an ancient nunnery, a restored medieval abbey, and the reputed burial ground of 48 Scottish kings.  At just three miles long and one and ahalf miles wide, it is possible to walk around Iona in a day with plenty of time to spend in the Abbey and Nunnery.  The coast is more rugged in the south but has dazzling white shell sand beaches and secluded coves around the rest of the coastline.

Iona Stats

• Area: 877 hectares (3.4 sq miles)
• Elevation: 101 metres (331 ft)
• Population: 177
• Access: Open to Visitors
• Latitude: 56°19’0.01″
• Longitude: -6°25’0.01″