Diana Petterson European Continent, Scotland

Scotland: Oh Scotland!

The Iona Abbey on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. (July 18 2019)

Inverness

After spending two extraordinary weeks traveling through the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, coming to Inverness, Scotland, has been a nice place to slow down and kick back.

Inverness, a city in the Scottish Highlands, means gateway to the River Ness or Mouth of the Ness. The River Ness actually flows from the northern end of Loch Ness through Loch Dochfour to Inverness.

From today on, I will be hanging with my travel buddy, Bonnie Davis, as we traverse through Scotland and England for the next two weeks.

Inverness is quiet and uncomplicated and when the sun is out with a cool breeze, the city center makes for a relaxing way to spend the day. Here are some of the sites of Inverness, Scotland.

The Town House in the middle of the city of Inverness, Scotland, on the corner of High and Castle Street, was constructed in the Flemish-Baronial style from 1878 to 1882. (July 14, 2019)
High Street in the city of Inverness, Scotland. (July 14, 2019)
Church Street at the corner of High Street in the city of Inverness, Scotland. (July 14, 2019)
I made a couple of stops at the Mr. Simms Old Sweet Shoppe on Church Street in Inverness, Scotland. My favorites were the Peanut Butter and Chocolate fudge squares. (July 14, 2019)
The Infirmary Bridge along the River Ness and the Ness Walk in Inverness, Scotland, is a pedestrian iron suspension bridge built in 1879. (July 14, 2019)
The castle that isn’t really a castle is the Inverness Castle, in Inverness, Scotland, perched on a hillside overlooking the River Ness. The red sandstone structure was built in 1836 on the site of an 11th-century defensive structure. Today, the building is still used as a courthouse and is not open to the public. (July 14, 2019)
The Faith, Hope and Charity statue in the small Ness Bank Gardens at the front of Ness Bank Church along the banks of the River Ness in Inverness, Scotland. The church, designed by Inverness architect William Mackintosh, was built over a 15-month period in 1900-1901. (July 14, 2019)
The Faith, Hope and Charity statues date from about 1860 and were carved by local sculptor Andrew Davidson who was commissioned by the Young Men’s Christian Association or YMCA. The statues have been relocated several times but are presently located at the banks of the River Ness in front of Ness Bank Church in Inverness. (July 14, 2019)
The Ness Walk is a walking pathway along the banks of the River Ness in Inverness, Scotland. (July 14, 2019)
In Scottish folklore, the Loch Ness Monster or Nessie is a creature said to inhabit Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. The river is the origin of the name of Inverness which is from the Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Nis, meaning “Mouth of the Ness.” (July 14, 2019)
The Inverness Cathedral entrance in Inverness, Scotland, is also known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew. The Scottish Episcopal church congregation began as a mission in 1853 but the construction of the cathedral was not completed until 1869. (July 14, 2019)
The Inverness Cathedral entrance in Inverness, Scotland, is also known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew. The Scottish Episcopal church congregation began as a mission in 1853 but the construction of the cathedral was not completed until 1869. (July 14, 2019)
The interior altar of the Inverness Cathedral in Inverness, Scotland. (July 14, 2019)
The gorgeous quilt patterned tiled floors inside the Inverness Cathedral in Inverness, Scotland. (July 14, 2019)
This west window stained glass installed inside Inverness Cathedral in Inverness, Scotland, in 1887 is named “Christ in Majesty at the Last Judgement,” and is dedicated to St. Andrew. (July 14, 2019)
Views of the Ness Bridge and a row of hotels and residences overlooking the Ness River in Inverness, Scotland. (July 14, 2019)
A row of hotels and residential buildings along the Ness Walk area the River Ness. In fact, the name “Inverness” means gateway to the River Ness or Mouth of the Ness. (July 14, 2019)
The Columba Hotel in Inverness, Scotland, by the Ness Bridge and the River Ness was built in 1881. (July 14, 2019)
The Palace Hotel in Inverness, Scotland, was built on the site of Ness House, a mansion that was destroyed in 1870. (July 14, 2019)
Inside the Inverness Victorian Market in Inverness, Scotland. The original 1870 gaslit open-air market was destroyed by fire in 1889. But the market was rebuilt in 1890-91. (July 14, 2019)
Saw these silver engraved drinking cups at a store inside the Inverness Victorian Market in Inverness, Scotland. These centuries old traditional Celtic drinking cups are called the Quaich for measuring whiskey and toasting. (July 14, 2019)

Orkney Islands

I find the weather rather intriguing. This morning it was foggy and cool but by this afternoon, it was warmer with blue skies. Today was Orkney Islands day. Although Orkney compromises about 70 islands, only about 20 of them are inhabited.

It was an early and a full day. Taking a cab to the bus station and riding the bus for three hours before hopping on a ferry to the Mainland, which is the largest and most populated of the islands. From there, we hopped on another bus and Brian, our bus driver and guide for our day in Orkney, provided us with some history. The Orkney Islands is an archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland. The islands have been inhabited for at least 8,500 years, originally occupied by Mesolithic and Neolithic tribes and then by the Picts.

Even though we drove onto a couple of the islands, the main sites for this day trip were on the Mainland, including Kirkwall, the largest town and capital; St. Magnus Cathedral, the Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces; the historic manor of Skaill House; the Neolithic stone circle of the Ring of Brodgar; a World War II Italian Chapel build by Italian prisoners of war and the 5,000 year old site of Skara Brae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of four sites making up “The Heart of Neolithic Orkney.”  Skara Brae is even older than Stonehenge in England and the Great Pyramids of Egypt.

Tomorrow, Bonnie and I rent a car and leave Inverness for Oban and then the Isle of Iona in Scotland. More to come.

For now, let’s check out the Orkney Islands of Scotland.

Broad Street in Kirkwall, the largest and capital city of the main island of the Orkney Islands of Scotland called the Mainland. (July 16, 2019)
St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland was founded in 1137 by Earl Rognvald, the nephew of Magnus Erlendsson, the Earl of Orkney in the early 1100s. Orkney became part of Scotland in 1468 and a few years later, the cathedral was give to the people of Kirkwall by the Scots king, James III. (July 16, 2019)
A small part of the cemetery surrounding the St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. (July 16, 2019)
St. Magnus Cathedral and some of the gravestones in the grave yards surrounding the cathedral in Kirkwall on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. (July 16, 2019)
St. Magnus Cathedral and some of the gravestones in the grave yards surrounding the cathedral in Kirkwall on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. (July 16, 2019)
One of the exterior doorways of the St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland with its red and yellow alternating stonework. (July 16, 2019)
The interior of the St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. (July 16, 2019)
The gorgeous Celtic tile floors decorating St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. The floors were installed from 1913 to 1930 when restoration work was taking place. (July 16, 2019)
The exterior ruins of the Earl’s Palace in Kirkwall on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland was built around 1601-1606 by Patrick Stewart, Earl of Orkney. (July 16, 2019)
The interior remains of the Earl’s Palace in Kirkwall on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. This is the great hall, the main public room of the palace. It was built to impress. (July 16, 2019)
After the Earl’s death, the Earl’s Palace in Kirkwall on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, continued to be the residence of the Bishops of Orkney sporadically until 1688, when it became the property of the British Crown, and fell into ruin in the 18th century. (July 16, 2019)
Kirkwall Town Hall building on Broad Street in Kirkwall on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. (July 14, 2019)
A close-up of the exterior of the Kirkwall Town Hall building on Broad Street in Kirkwall on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. (July 14, 2019)
Is it a castle? No, it’s a palace…another palace. But this is the Bishop’s Palace across the street from St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. (July 14, 2019)
The interior remains at the entrance of the Bishop’s Palace in Kirkwall on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. This is the ground floor cellar and above it was the great hall where the bishop conducted business, welcomed guests and held banquets. At the same time as the St. Magnus Cathedral, just across the way was being built in the 1100s, so was the Bishop’s Palace. (July 14, 2019)
The ground floor interior of the Bishop’s Palace in Kirkwall on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, from the opposite end of the entrance. (July 16, 2019)
The walk to the Village of Skara Brae and back in time some 5000 years to the stone-built Neolithic settlement on the Bay of Skaill of the Orkney Islands. (July 16, 2019)
The Village of Skara Brae, located on the Bay of Skaill on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, was built in two main phases. Little is known about the first, since further investigation would require demolition of the later houses. Skara Brae lay buried under the sand for almost 4,500 years. It was discovered in 1850 when a storm stripped the grass from the dunes. The Laird of Skaill, William Watt, explored four of the houses and amassed a rich collection fo objects. (July 16, 2019)
One of eight clustered houses at the Village of Skara Brae on the Bay Skaill of the Orkney Islands was occupied from around 3180 BC to about 2500 BC and is considered to be Europe’s most complete Neolithic village. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Skara Brae is one of four sites making up “The Heart of Neolithic Orkney.” Skara Brae is even older than Stonehenge in England and the Great Pyramids of Egypt. (July 16, 2019)
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Skara Brae in the Village of Skara Brae on the Orkney Islands in Scotland, makes up one of the four Neolithic Orkney sites. This is UNESCO’s description: “The group of Neolithic monuments on Orkney consists of a large chambered tomb (Maes Howe), two ceremonial stone circles (the Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar) and a settlement (Skara Brae), together with a number of unexcavated burial, ceremonial and settlement sites. The group constitutes a major prehistoric cultural landscape which gives a graphic depiction of life in this remote archipelago in the far north of Scotland some 5,000 years ago.” (July 16, 2019)
The Bay of Skaill by the stone-built Neolithic Village of Skara Brae on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. (July 16, 2019)
A drawing of what one of the stone-built Neolithic shelters of the Village of Skara Brae maybe have looked like by the Bay of Skaill on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. (July 16, 2019)
Me at the Skaill House, a historic manor on the Bay of Skaill on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. The house overlooks the neolithic site, Skara Brae, and the Bay of Skaill. (July 16, 2019)
Skaill House, a historic manor on the Bay of Skaill on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Skaill House is part of the Breckness Estate and was built for Bishop George Graham in 1620. It is also the former home of William Graham Watt (the 7th Laird), who discovered Skara Brae in 1850. (July 16, 2019)
This is the Dining Room of Skaill House historic manor on the Bay of Skaill on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Skaill is the Old Norse word for Hall. Skaill House is a family home presented as it was in the late 1950s. (July 16, 2019)
One of the living rooms of Skaill House, an historic manor on the Bay of Skaill on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. (July 16, 2019)
Another living room of Skaill House, a historic manor on the Bay of Skaill on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. (July 16, 2019)
Mrs. Scarth’s bedroom at Skaill House, a historic manor on the Bay of Skaill on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. (July 16, 2019)
Mrs. Scarth’s bedroom at Skaill House, a historic manor on the Bay of Skaill on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. (July 16, 2019)
Mrs. Scarth’s pink bathroom at Skaill House, a historic manor on the Bay of Skaill on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. (July 16, 2019)
A hand embroidered sampler dated 1817 at the Skaill House, a historic manor on the Bay of Skaill on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. This is for my hand embroidery friends like Pat who have the patience to do such incredible work. (July 16, 2019)
The Ring of Brodgar is a Neolithic stone circle on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. This stone circle is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Heart of Neolithic Orkney.” It is generally thought to have been erected between 2500 BC and 2000 BC. The circle was originally comprised of 60 stones, but only 27 remain standing. (July 16, 2019)
The Ring of Brodgar is a Neolithic stone circle on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. This stone circle is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Heart of Neolithic Orkney.” (July 16, 2019)
Stone circle aficionado, Bonnie, taking photos of the Ring of Brodgar Neolithic stone circle on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. (July 16, 2019)
The Italian Chapel on Lambholm on a small uninhabited island of the Orkney Islands in Scotland was constructed during World War II by Italian prisoners of war, who were housed on the previously uninhabited island while they constructed the Churchill Barriers or causeways linking the islands. The chapel, constructed from limited materials by the prisoners, is the main attraction on Lambholm. (July 16, 2019)
The interior altar and metalwork detail of the Italian Chapelon Lambholm, is a small uninhabited island of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. The chapel was constructed during World War II by Italian prisoners of war. (July 16, 2019)
The interior altar and metalwork detail of the Italian Chapelon Lambholm, is a small uninhabited island of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. The chapel was constructed during World War II by Italian prisoners of war. (July 16, 2019)
A close-up of the ceiling and wall murals inside the Italian Chapel. The Madonna and Child, the mural on the alter wall, was painted by Domenico Chiocchetti and is a copy of the painting by Nicole Barabino. Domenico always carried a copy of the picture, given to him by his mother, throughout the war. He had it with him whe he came to Lambholm and used it as a model for this alterpiece. (July 16, 2019)
Our ferry boat, about a 40 minute ride, from the Mainland of the Orkney Islands to John o’ Groats, where we catch a bus for the three hour drive back to Inverness. (July 16, 2019)
Me at John o’ Groats, the village of Canisbay, Caithness, in far north Scotland where we caught the ferry to the Orkney Islands this morning. John o’ Groats to Land’s End traverses the length of the island of Great Britain’s two extremes; from John o’ Groats on Scotland’s northeast tip, to Land’s End on the southwest of English coast. The traditional distance by road is 874 miles (1,407 km) (July 16, 2019)
This is John o’ Groats House Hotel which was supposedly built on or near the site of Jan de Groot’s former house. John o’ Groats is named after a Dutchman, Jan de Groot who in 1496 was granted the ferry franchise between the harbour here and Orkney by King James IV. At the time Orkney was still a relatively new acquisition by Scotland. (July 16, 2019)
A cute map of the Orkney Island in Scotland. (July 16, 2019)

Isle of Iona

The first time Bonnie and I made the trip to the Isle of Iona in Scotland was more than 11 years ago. I remember feeling stressed by the driving, excited about experiencing Iona and a joyous peacefulness once we arrived.

Iona, with its place of pilgrimage, is home to St. Columba whose arrival on Iona in 563 AD heralded the spreading of Christianity across Scotland and transforming the Isle of Iona into a beacon of faith and healing. The Book of Kells is traditionally thought to have been created in the time of St. Columba but he died in 597 AD and the illustrated Gospel manuscript was possibly composed around 800 AD. When the Vikings raided Iona, the monks who created the holy book fled with the manuscript and came to Ireland. I saw pages of the Book of Kells and an informational exhibition at the Trinity College Library in Dublin, Ireland.

The Iona Abbey is considered to be one of the oldest Christian religious centres in Western Europe and a pilgrimage site. Most of the buildings of the Benedictine abbey have been restored or rebuilt during the last 100 years, but they are laid out much as they would have been in the early 1200s. The abbey consists of a number of buildings including St. Columba’s Shrine, the Cloister, the Abbey Museum, the church and several other buildings.

Bonnie and I arrived on the Isle of Mull early in the afternoon on Thursday. You can’t get to Iona without going to Mull first because that’s where you catch the 10 minute ferry that takes just you and your luggage to Iona. And, that’s where we’ve been until this morning. (Couldn’t post because the WiFi was slow and sporadic, the case where modern technology takes a back seat to an island known as a place of contemplation, reflection and healing.)

From the second we arrived late Thursday afternoon, Bonnie and I were exploring Iona and taking in its most sacred and venerated historical landmarks starting of course with the Iona Abbey church. And, the exploration continued on Friday.

Come explore the Isle of Iona, Scotland, with us through the Abbey church, cloister and museum, the Bishop’s Walk, lunch at a Cafe Garden and finally the long and gorgeous walk to Columba Bay to find the illusive Iona green marbles.

Bonnie and I with our rental car, which Bonnie named, Celeste, waiting at the ferry terminal in Oban, Scotland. (July 18, 2019)
The vehicles lined up at the Oban, Scotland, port ready to drive onto the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to the port in Craignure, Isle of Mull, Scotland. These ferries can hold quite a number of vehicles, including the large tour buses. It was about a 45 minute ferry ride from Oban to Craignure. (July 18, 2019)
The ferry ride from Oban to Craignure on the Isle of Mule took 45 minutes and then it was the single lane drive to Fionnphort for the ferry to Iona. The 35-mile drive took about an hour and a half along a single lane road where vehicles coming from each direction use these passing places on their respective sides to pull over and allow the vehicle coming in the opposite direction to pass. (July 18, 2019)
Views from our drive on the Isle of Mull to Fionnphort to catch the ferry to the Isle of Iona. (July 18, 2019)
Fionnphort, Isle of Mull where the ferry took us to the Isle of Iona. (July 18, 2019)
Getting on the ferry in Fionnphort, Island of Mull for the 10 minute ferry ride to the Isle of Iona. We decided to just bring what we needed for the two nights, leaving the rest with our rental car, Celeste, so we didn’t have to be bogged down with stuff. (July 18, 2019)
The ferry in Fionnphort is equipt to take on vehicles for those living on the island, but visitors are not allowed cars on Iona without special permission. Thankfully a parking lot on the island of Mull is available to park the car for several days. (July 18, 2019)
It took about 10 minutes for us to arrive on the Isle of Iona on ferry. We parked the car on Fionnphort, took overnight bags and leisurely walked to our home for two nights, the St. Columba Hotel. (July 18, 2019)
Looking back toward the dock where the ferry landed as we made our way to the St. Columba Hotel on the Isle of Iona. (July 18, 2019)
The Nunnery of St. Mary the Virgin on the Isle of Iona was founded around 1200 by Ronald, King of the Isles. Although much of it is now in ruins, it is said to be one of the best preserved nunneries in Britain. Augustinian nunneries were common in Ireland, and it is likely that many of Iona’s first nuns were Irish. (July 18, 2019)
The ruins of the Nunnery of St. Mary the Virgin, an Augustinian nunnery founded around 1200 on the Island of Iona, Scotland. These are the remains of a small church. (July 18, 2019)
The ruins of the Nunnery of St. Mary the Virgin, an Augustinian nunnery founded around 1200 on the Island of Iona, Scotland. These are the remains of a small church. (July 18, 2019)
I saw these beauties, fuchsias, while traveling through Ireland on my Rick Steves tour and here they were again on the Isle of Iona, Scotland. These vivid purplish red-colored flowers of the plant are named after a 16th century German botanist, Leonhart Fuchs. (July 18, 2019)
The St. Columba Hotel on the Isle of Iona, Scotland, our home for Thursday and Friday night. (July 18, 2019)
The views of the Isle of Mull from the St. Columba Hotel lawn on the Isle of Iona, Scotland, where you can even see the ferry in the distance along the Sound of Mull and into the Atlantic Ocean. (July 18, 2019)
The gates leading to the Rèilig Odhrain (in Gaelic) or St. Oran’s Chapel Cemetery, an ancient burial ground next to the Iona Abbey on the Isle of Iona. The cemetery is the final resting place for centuries of monarchs from Scotland, Norway, Ireland, France, and even some Vikings. (July 18, 2019)
St. Oran’s Chapel and cemetery on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. A plaque at the chapel reads: “Built in the 1100’s, it is the oldest intact structure on Iona. Go through the decorated doorway to see the remains of an impressive tomb and a collection of elaborately-carved West Highland grave slabs.” (July 18, 2019)
Inside the St. Oran’s Chapel on the Isle of Iona, Scotland. Bonnie is lighting a candle. (July 18, 2019)
St. Oran’s Chapel and cemetery on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. (July 18, 2019)
St. Oran’s cemetery on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. (July 18, 2019)
The view of the Iona Abbey from St. Oran’s Chapel and cemetery on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. The dented pathway is called the Road of the Dead which leads to the Iona Abbey from St Oran’s.  This is just a small section of an early processional built to mimic the Via Dolorosa in Rome. The road originally extended all the way to the Port of the Martyrs (Port nam Mairtear), where the ferry pier now stands. The coffins of chiefs would be carried from the port, along a track lined with crosses, to the abbey site for burial. (July 18, 2019)
This visitor’s center and entrance to the Iona Abbey was not there 11 years ago when Bonnie and I first made our way to Iona. At that time, there was no fee and no souvenir shop. (July 18, 2019)
Inside the visitor’s center, which you now have to come through and pay to enter the Iona Abbey. (July 18, 2019)
The Torr an Aba, where St. Columba’s hut is thought to have stood, at the Iona Abbey is a quick climb up with a nice Abbey view. (July 18, 2019)
Me, readying climb up to Torr an Aba where St. Columba’s writing hut is thought to have stood at the Iona Abbey. (July 18, 2019)
The Iona Abbey on the Isle of Iona as seen from a top the Torr an Aba, St. Columba’s writing hut is thought to have stood. The Abbey is considered to be one of the oldest Christian religious centres in Western Europe and a pilgrimage site. Most of the buildings of the Benedictine abbey have been restored or rebuilt during the last 100 years, but they are laid out much as they would have been in the early 1200s. The abbey consists of a number of buildings including St. Columba’s Shrine, the Cloister, the Abbey Museum, the church and several other buildings. (July 18, 2019)
The St. John’s Cross at the Iona Abbey on the Isle of Iona has collapsed several times and this is a modern copy. The original cross, inside the Abbey Museum, was said to be unprecedented in its design and technical ambition. (July 18, 2019)
Inside Columba’s Shrine at the Iona Abbey on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. The shrine, mostly restored, was said to contain the bones of Saint Columba. (July 18, 2019)
A close-up of the contemporary wood carved cross on the wall inside Columba’s Shrine at the Iona Abbey on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. (July 18, 2019)
Inside the Iona Abbey church on the Island of Iona in Scotland, looking towards the nave, part of which survive from the church built around 1200 AD. This is also the front entrance into the church. (July 18, 2019)
These carved slabs displayed at the nave of the Iona Abbey church on the Isle of Iona in Scotland, were once the covered grave stone slabs of medieval clerics in the Reilig Odhrain or St. Oran’s Chapel. (July 18, 2019)
The South Choir aisle inside the Iona Abbey church on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. And the modern communion table, made from Iona marble. This portion of the church was rebuilt around 1910. (July 18, 2019)
The Iona marble communion table, a modern addition to the Iona Abbey church on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. (July 18, 2019)
The ornate thick columns supporting the arches of the Iona Abbey church on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. Plus preparation is being made in the choir section for the evening service at the church.  (July 18, 2019)
The ornate thick columns supporting the arches of the Iona Abbey church on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. (July 18, 2019)
Sacristy Doorway inside the Iona Abbey church on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. (July 18, 2019)
A small side chapel inside the church of the Iona Abbey on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. (July 18, 2019)
The stained glass window depicting St. Columba inside the Iona Abbey church on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. The modern St.Columba’s window gives Columba’s Gaelic name Colum Cille. The designer, William Wilson, a Scottish stained glass artist etched his name at the bottom of the window: W. Wilson 1965. (July 19, 2019)
St. Columba was said to sleep with a stone for a pillow. This stone was found around 1870 and people at the time believed this could be the stone. However, it is unlikely this is the real pillow stone. Carved with a ringed cross, it is a grave marker probably dating from about 200 years after Columba’s death in 597. (July 18, 2019)
Inside the church of the Iona Abbey on the Isle of Iona in Scotland where Bonnie and I attended a service on our first night 11 years ago and again Thursday night, our first night on the island. The 9:00 pm service, which was held in the choir section with the long white table in the middle, replicated the last supper. (July 18, 2019)
The day began with the intention to climb up to the top of Dùn I, considered to be the highest point on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. (July 19, 2019)
The rocky and uneven terrain of Dùn I, considered to be the highest point on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. I climbed just a bit but when it began to drizzle, I decided to find my way back down instead. (July 19, 2019)
Bonnie and I enjoying the sun and a lunch break at the Garden Cafe at the Iona Heritage Center on the Isle of Iona, Scotland. The morning was overcast, dismal with drizzling rain but the afternoon turned out to be sunny and beautiful. (July 19, 2019)
Enjoying the feel of the sun and a moment’s rest on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. (July 19, 2019)
Back at the Iona Abbey to visit the cloisters and the museum. (July 19, 2019)
Three medieval crosses inside the Abbey Museum of the Iona Abbey on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. The center cross is the St. John’s Cross from around the 700s AD. The cross to the left is St. Oran’s Cross, also around the 700s AD. It contains biblical scenes, an early image of the Virgin and Child below the center and Daniel in the lion’s den. And, the cross to the right is St. Matthew’s Cross, circa 900s AD carved using poorer quality stone but shows Adam and Even in the garden of Eden. (July 19, 2019)
This early Christian carved stone at the Abbey Museum of the Iona Abbey is an upright grave-marker carved in the early 600s AD. (July 19, 2019)
Grave stone slab effigies designed to honor Gaelic leaders as notable warriors at the Abbey Museum of the Iona Abbey on the Isle of Iona. (July 19, 2019)
This grave stone slab displayed at the Abbey Museum of the Iona Abbey on the Isle of Iona in Scotland, is dedicated to a woman, Anna MacLean, who died in 1543. Her grave stone slab was originally in the nunnery where she had been the last prioress. (July 19, 2019)
The cloister of the Iona Abbey church on the Isle of Iona in Scotland were originally laid out in the 1200s but like the abbey church, it underwent changes in the 1400s. (July 19, 2019)
In the center of the Iona Abbey cloister on the Isle of Iona in Scotland may have originally been a ‘tree of life.’ This sculpture now in the cloister center is the work of the Lithuanian artist Jacques Lipschitz (1891-1973). It is called ‘Descent of the Spirit’.
The ‘Descent of the Spirit’ made in 1959 by Lithuanian artist Jacques Lipchitz (1891-1973) made this Virgin for the better understanding of human beings on this earth so that the Spirit may prevail. (July 19, 2019)
The Iona Abbey cloister on the Isle of Iona in Scotland with modern pier replacements. (July 19, 2019)
The cloister of the Iona Abbey on the Isle of Iona with its modern pier replacements were delicately carved by sculptor Chris Hall over 30 years from 1967 to 1997. (July 19, 2019)
The cloister of the Iona Abbey on the Isle of Iona with its modern pier replacements were delicately carved by sculptor Chris Hall over 30 years from 1967 to 1997. (July 19, 2019)
Bonnie trekking to find her green marbles at Columba Bay on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. The trek there and back to the hotel took about four hours. But she found her marbles. (July 19, 2019)
The trek to find green marbles at Columba Bay on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. The trek there and back to the hotel took about four hours. (July 19, 2019)
The walk to the very remote Columba Bay for the Iona green marbles on the Isle of Iona in Scotland took us through farm lands with cows and lambs. (July 19, 2019)
The walking path to St. Columba Bay on the Isle of Iona in Scotland where St. Columba and his fellow monks are believed to be landed on Iona in 563. (July 19, 2019)
The view of the very remote Columba Bay on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. (July 19, 2019)
The walking path to St. Columba Bay on the Isle of Iona in Scotland where St. Columba and his fellow monks are believed to be landed on Iona in 563. (July 19, 2019)
The rocky shore leading to the Iona green marbles on Columbus Bay on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. (July 19, 2019)
Me on my rear, having lost my rocks (brains) and my footing when I stumbled on a rock which is where I landed at the Columba Bay on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. No, I did not hurt myself but I definitely enjoyed the rest( July 19, 2019)
Industrious locals placing the Iona green marbles for sale along the path to Columba Bay on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. (July 19, 2019)
The Iona green marble stones from the Isle of Iona in Scotland. (July 19, 2019)
The beauty of the Isle of Iona in Scotland. (July 19, 2019)
The beauty of the Isle of Iona in Scotland. (July 19, 2019)