From Oban we catch a ferry to Mull (about ¾ hour). We were then bussed across the island to Fionnforte. From there we were on a smallish boat to Staffa Island. Staffa is quite amazing. The Vikings gave it this name as its columnar basalt reminded them of their houses, which were built from vertically placed tree-logs. Staffa lies about 10 kilometres west of Mull.
The island came to prominence in the late 18th century after a visit by Sir Joseph Banks. He and his fellow travellers extolled the natural beauty of the basalt columns in general and of the island's main sea cavern which Banks re-named 'Fingal's Cave'. Their visit was followed by many other prominent personalities throughout the next two centuries, including Queen Victoria and Felix Mendelssohn. The latter's 'Hebrides Overture' brought further fame to the island.
After walking to and into the cave (quite serine) we walked to the end of the island as there is also a resident population of puffins on this Island. The boat man had warned us that this was the end of the season for puffins and it was likely that they would be out at sea fishing, which proved to be true. No puffins today. On the way to Staffa we did see a pod of dolphins swimming with us and on the way back a basking shark (quite huge – fortunately only a plankton eater).
Back to the boat and on to Iona Island. Iona is also amazing and a very special place. It was here that Christianity was ‘born’ in Britain. After establishing a number of monasteries and churches in his native Ireland, St Columba founded the renowned monastery of Iona.
Back to the boat and on to Iona Island. Iona is also amazing and a very special place. It was here that Christianity was ‘born’ in Britain. After establishing a number of monasteries and churches in his native Ireland, St Columba founded the renowned monastery of Iona.
Today some 140,000 people make their way here each year. In doing so, they follow in the footsteps of pilgrims who have been coming to Iona since not long after St Columba's arrival in AD563. As you walk up from the town the first buildings you come to are the ruins of the nunnery, which was built in the early 1200s. – beautiful red stone was used. Despite appearances, this is actually one of the best-preserved medieval nunneries in Britain. You then follow the road towards the abbey, beyond a field to your left you can see the manse built in 1828, which now serves as the Iona Heritage Centre. On a corner in the road, a short distance from the church is the free-standing MacLean's Cross, a rare survivor of the hundreds of stone crosses that dotted Iona prior to the Reformation.
The highlight of the visit to Iona is its abbey. It is difficult to believe today that this stood as a crumbling ruin from the late 1500s until the 8th Duke of Argyll started preservation work in the years from 1874.
The highlight of the visit to Iona is its abbey. It is difficult to believe today that this stood as a crumbling ruin from the late 1500s until the 8th Duke of Argyll started preservation work in the years from 1874.
Spent some time exploring the island after having lunch. From Iona we caught the ferry back to Mull, then bus and ferry back to Oban. Driver stopped the bus a few time on Mull so that we could see the long horn cattle, red deer and the scenery.
Once in Oban we were on the road again. Camp for the night was at Tyndrum, about an hour from Glasgow.
