View source for Iona

{{Short description|Island off the west coast of Scotland}}
{{About|the Scottish island}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox Scottish island | 
| coordinates          = {{coord|56|19|48|N|06|24|36|W|region:GB_type:isle|display=inline,title}}
| location_map         = Scotland Argyll and Bute#United Kingdom
| caption              = Iona shown within [[Argyll and Bute]]##Iona shown on a map of Great Britain and Ireland
| GridReference        = NM275245
| celtic name          = Ì Chaluim Chille
| gaelic pronunciation = {{IPA|gd|ˈiː ˈxal̪ˠɪm ˈçiʎə||I Chaluim Chille.ogg}}
| meaning of name      = 
| Image                = File:Iona Abbey - October 2018 - Andrew Gray - 12.jpg
| ImageCaption         = Baile Mòr, with the Abbey, seen from the harbour
| area                 = {{cvt|877|ha|sqmi|frac=8}}
| area rank            = 56
| highest elevation    = Dùn Ì, {{cvt|101|m|ft|0}}
| Population           = 178<ref name=RESAS>{{RESAS}}</ref>
| population rank      = 35= 
| population density   ={{convert|20.3|PD/km2|abbr=on}}<ref name=RESAS/><ref name=Smith/>
| main settlement      = Baile Mòr
| island group         = [[Isle of Mull|Mull]] 
| local authority      = [[Argyll and Bute]]
| references           = <ref name=Smith>Haswell-Smith (2004) pp. 80-84</ref><ref name=OS>{{Ordnance Survey}}</ref><ref>Anderson, Joseph (Ed.) (1893) ''Orkneyinga Saga''. Translated by Jón A. Hjaltalin & Gilbert Goudie. Edinburgh. James Thin and Mercat Press (1990 reprint). {{ISBN|0-901824-25-9}}</ref> 
}}

'''Iona''' ({{IPAc-en|aɪ|ˈ|oʊ|n|ə}}; {{langx|gd|Ì Chaluim Chille}} {{IPA|gd|ˈiː ˈxal̪ˠɪm ˈçiʎə||I Chaluim Chille.ogg}}, sometimes simply ''Ì'') is an island in the [[Inner Hebrides]], off the [[Ross of Mull]] on the western coast of [[Scotland]]. It is mainly known for [[Iona Abbey]], though there are other buildings on the island. Iona Abbey was a centre of [[Hiberno-Scottish mission|Gaelic monasticism]] for three centuries<ref name=Smith/> and is today known for its relative tranquility and natural environment.<ref>Murray (1966) p 81</ref> It is a tourist destination and a place for [[Retreat (spiritual)|spiritual retreats]]. Its modern Scottish Gaelic name means "Iona of (Saint) [[Columba]]" (formerly anglicised as "Icolmkill").

Iona's resident population is about 180.<ref name=RESAS/> In March 1980, the Hugh Fraser Foundation donated much of the main island (and its off-lying islands) to the current owner, the [[National Trust for Scotland]]. The abbey and some church buildings are owned by the Iona Cathedral Trust.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.welcometoiona.com/iona-today/national-trust/ |title=Isle of Iona}}</ref>

One publication, describing the religious significance of the island, says that the island is "known as the birthplace of Celtic Christianity in Scotland,” and notes that “St Columba came here in the year 563 to establish the Abbey, which still stands".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.countrylife.co.uk/travel/the-perfect-way-to-go-island-hopping-in-the-hebrides-216864 |title=The perfect way to go island hopping in the Hebrides}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
Because the [[Hebrides]] have been successively occupied by speakers of several languages since the [[Iron Age]], many of its islands' names have more than one possible meaning.<ref>Haswell-Smith (2004) p. xiii</ref> Nonetheless, few, if any, have accumulated as many different names over the centuries as the island now known in English as "Iona".

The place-name scholar [[William J. Watson]] has shown that the earliest recorded names of the island meant something like "yew-place".<ref>Watson, ''Celtic Place-Names'', pp. 87-90</ref> The element ''Ivo-'', denoting "[[Taxus baccata|yew]]", occurs in inscriptions in the [[ogham]] alphabet (''Iva-cattos'' [genitive], ''Iva-geni'' [genitive]) and in Gaulish names (''Ivo-rix'', ''Ivo-magus''); it may also be the basis of early Gaelic names like ''Eógan'' (ogham: ''Ivo-genos'').<ref>Watson, ''Celtic Place-Names'', pp. 87-88.</ref><ref group="fn">The name of the Gaulish god ''Ivavos'', which has a similar origin, is associated with the healing-well of [[Évaux-les-Bains|Evaux]] in France.</ref> The island's name may also be related to the name of a mythological figure, ''Fer hÍ mac Eogabail'', the foster-son of [[Manannán]], whose forename meaning "man of the yew".<ref>Watson, ''Celtic Place-Names'', pp. 88-89</ref>

Coates (2006) disputes the "yew" interpretation due to a lack of archeological evidence for yew on the island. Coates instead compares the Punic term ''’y'' ("island, isolated place").<ref name="coates">{{cite book |last1=Coates |first1=Richard |title=A toponomastic contribution to the linguistic prehistory of the British Isles |date=2006 |pages=63–65 |url=https://www.snsbi.org.uk/Nomina_articles/Nomina_35_Coates.pdf |access-date=14 July 2023}}</ref>

Mac an Tàilleir (2003) has analyzed the more recent Gaelic names of ''Ì'',<ref group="fn">For etymology of Ì and Latinised derivative ''Iona'', see Watson (2004), pp. 87-90.</ref> ''Ì Chaluim Chille'' and ''Eilean Idhe''. He notes that the name ''Ì'' was "generally lengthened to avoid confusion" to ''Ì Chaluim Chille'', which means "Calum's Iona" or "island of Calum's monastery". ("Calum"'s [[Latinisation of names|latinized]] form is "Columba".)<ref name=Mac>Mac an Tàilleir (2003) p. 67.</ref><ref name=H-Smith>Haswell-Smith (2004) p. 80.</ref> This confusion would have arisen because ''ì'', the original name of the island, would have been confused with the now-obsolete Gaelic noun ''ì'', meaning "island", which was derived from the [[Old Norse]] word for island (''ey'').<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dil.ie/26894 |title=eDIL – Irish Language Dictionary |website=dil.ie |access-date=21 June 2020}}</ref><ref>Dwelly (1911)</ref> ''Eilean Idhe'' means "the isle of Iona", also known as ''Ì nam ban bòidheach'' ("the isle of beautiful women"). The modern English name comes from yet another variant, ''Ioua'',<ref name=Mac/><ref name=H-Smith/> which arose either from [[Adomnán]]'s 7th century attempt to make the Gaelic name fit Latin grammar, or spontaneously, as a derivative of  ''Ivova'' ("yew place").<ref>Watson, ''Celtic Place-Names'', p. 88</ref> The change in the island's name from ''Ioua''' to ''Iona'', which is attested from c. 1274,<ref>{{cite journal |last=Broderick |first=George |year=2013 |title=Some island names in the former "Kingdom of the Isles": a reappraisal |journal=Journal of Scottish Name Studies |volume=7 |pages=1–28: 13, fn.30|url=http://www.clanntuirc.co.uk/JSNS/V7/JSNS7%20Broderick.pdf |access-date=23 February 2016 |archive-date=8 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408212824/http://www.clanntuirc.co.uk/JSNS/V7/JSNS7%20Broderick.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> resulted from a transcription error due to [[Minim (palaeography)|the similarity of "n" and "u"]] in [[Insular Minuscule]] script.<ref>Fraser (2009) p. 71.</ref>

Despite the continuity of forms in Gaelic from the pre-Norse to the post-Norse era, Haswell-Smith (2004) speculates that the island's name may be connected with the [[Old Norse|Norse]] word ''Hiōe'', meaning "island of the den of the brown bear".<ref name=H-Smith/> The medieval English-language version of the name was "Icolmkill" (and variants thereof).<ref name=H-Smith/>

{|class="wikitable"
|+Table of earliest forms (incomplete)
|- align=left
!  Form
!  Source
!  Language
!  Notes
|-  style="vertical-align:top; background:#ffffec;"
|Ioua insula
|[[Adomnán]]'s ''[[Vita Columbae#Vita Columbae|Vita Columbae]]'' (c. 700)
|Latin
|Adomnán calls [[Eigg]] ''Egea insula'' and Skye ''Scia insula''
|-  style="vertical-align:top; background:#ffffec;"
|Hii, Hy
|[[Bede]]'s ''[[Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum]]''
|Latin
|
|-  style="vertical-align:top; background:#ffffec;"
|Eoa, Iae, Ie,<br>I Cholaim Chille
|''[[Annals of Ulster]]''
|Irish, Latin
|U563 ''Nauigatio Coluim Chille ad Insolam Iae''<br>"The journey of St Columba to Í"<br>U641 ''Naufragium scaphe familie Iae.''<br>"Shipwreck of a vessel of the community of Í."<br>U716 ''Pascha comotatur in Eoa ciuitate''<br>"The date of Easter is changed in the monastery of Í")<ref>[http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/G100001A/text286.html original] ([http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100001A/text285.html translation])</ref><br>U717 ''Expulsio familie Ie''<br>"The expulsion of the community of Í"<br>U778 ''Niall...a nn-I Cholaim Chille''<br>"Niall... in Í Cholaim Chille"
|-  style="vertical-align:top; background:#ffffec;"
|Hi, Eu
|''[[Lebor na hUidre]]''
|Irish
|''Hi con ilur a mmartra''<br>"Hi with the multitude of its relics"<br> ''in tan conucaib a chill hi tosuċ .i. Eu''<br>"the time he raised his church first i.e. Eu"
|-  style="vertical-align:top; background:#ffffec;"
|Eo
|[[Walafrid Strabo]] (c. 831)
|Latin
|''Insula Pictorum quaedam monstratur in oris fluctivago suspensa salo, cognominis Eo''<br>"On the coasts of the Picts is pointed out an isle poised in the rolling sea, whose name is ''Eo''"<ref>Watson, ''Celtic Place-Names'', p. 88, n. 2</ref>
|-  style="vertical-align:top; background:#ffffec;"
|Euea insula
|''[[Life of St Cathróe of Metz]]''
|Latin
|
|}

=== Folk etymology ===
Murray (1966) claims that the "ancient" Gaelic name was ''Innis nan Druinich'' ("the isle of [[Druid]]ic hermits"), but there is no evidence for the "ancient" use of such a name before the nineteenth century when it appears in the ''New Statistical Account'' and it may arise from a misunderstanding of the name ''Cladh nan Druineach'', which means 'burial ground of the embroideresses or artificers' – a cemetery on the east shore of the island.  He also repeats a Gaelic story (which he admits is apocryphal) that as Columba's coracle first drew close to the island one of his companions cried out ''"Chì mi i''" meaning "I see her" and that Columba's response was "Henceforth we shall call her Ì".<ref name=Murray>Murray (1966) p. 81.</ref>

== Geology ==
The geology of Iona is quite complex given the island's size and is quite distinct from that of nearby Mull. About half of the island's bedrock is Scourian [[gneiss]] assigned to the [[Lewisian complex]] and dating from the [[Archean|Archaean]] eon making it some of the [[Precambrian|oldest rock]] in Britain and indeed Europe. Closely associated with these gneisses are [[mylonite]] and meta-anorthosite and melagabbro. Along the eastern coast facing Mull are steeply [[dip (geology)|dipping]] [[Neoproterozoic]] age [[metaconglomerate]]s, [[metasedimentary rock|metasandstones]], meta[[mudstone]]s and [[hornfels]]ed meta[[siltstone]]s ascribed to the [[Iona Group]], described traditionally as [[Torridonian]]. In the southwest and on parts of the west coast are [[pelite]]s and [[semipelite]]s of Archaean to Proterozoic age. There are small outcrops of Silurian age pink granite on southeastern beaches, similar to those of the Ross of Mull pluton cross the sound to the east. Numerous [[fault (geology)|geological faults]] cross the island, many in an E-W or NW-SE alignment. [[Devonian]] aged micro[[diorite]] [[dike (geology)|dykes]] are found in places and some of these are themselves cut by [[Palaeocene]] age [[camptonite]] and [[monchiquite]] dykes ascribed to the "Iona-Ross of Mull [[dike swarm|dyke swarm]]".  More recent sedimentary deposits of [[Quaternary]] age include both present day beach deposits and [[raised beach|raised marine deposits]] around Iona as well as some restricted areas of blown sand.<ref>{{cite web |title=Onshore Geoindex |url=https://mapapps2.bgs.ac.uk/geoindex/home.html |website=British Geological Survey |access-date=4 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ross of Mull, Scotland sheet 43S, Solid and Drift Edition |url=http://www.largeimages.bgs.ac.uk/iip/mapsportal.html?id=1002386 |website=BGS large map images |publisher=British Geological Survey |access-date=4 February 2020}}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:TyIonaBayAtTheBackOfTheOcean20030825r19f19.jpg|thumb|The [[Bay at the Back of the Ocean]]]]
[[File:Modern Hy (Iona) by John Bartholomy 1874.jpg|upright=1.0|thumb|Map of 1874, with subdivisions:<br/>*Ceann Tsear *Sliabh Meanach *Machar *Sliginach *Sliabh Siar *Staonaig]]

Iona lies about {{convert|2|km|mi|0|abbr=off}} from the coast of [[Isle of Mull|Mull]]. It is about {{cvt|2|km|mi|0}} wide and {{cvt|6|km|mi|0}} long with a resident population of 125.<ref name=census>{{cite web |url=http://www.scrol.gov.uk/ |title=Scotland Census 2001 – analyser |access-date=22 October 2006 |archive-date=4 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704124556/http://www.scrol.gov.uk/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> Like other places swept by ocean breezes, there are few trees; most of them are near the parish church.

Iona's highest point is Dùn Ì, {{cvt|101|m|ft}}. Iona's geographical features include the [[Bay at the Back of the Ocean]] and ''Càrn Cùl ri Éirinn'' (the Hill/[[Cairn]] of [turning the] Back to Ireland), said to be adjacent to the beach where St. Columba first landed.

The main settlement, located at St. Ronan's Bay on the eastern side of the island, is called ''Baile Mòr'' and is also known locally as "The Village". The primary school, post office, the island's two hotels, the [[Bishop's House Iona|Bishop's House]] and the ruins of the [[Iona Nunnery|Nunnery]] are here. The Abbey and MacLeod Centre are a short walk to the north.<ref name=OS/><ref>Murray (1966) pp. 82-83.</ref> Port Bàn (white port) beach on the west side of the island is home to the Iona Beach Party.<ref>[http://www.ionabeachparty.co.uk/ "It's Been Emotional"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429013536/http://www.ionabeachparty.co.uk/ |date=29 April 2012}} ionabeachparty.co.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2009.</ref>

There are numerous offshore islets and [[Skerry|skerries]]: Eilean Annraidh (island of storm) and Eilean Chalbha (calf island) to the north, Rèidh Eilean and Stac MhicMhurchaidh to the west and Eilean Mùsimul (mouse holm island) and Soa Island to the south are amongst the largest.<ref name=OS/> The steamer ''Cathcart Park'' carrying a cargo of salt from [[Runcorn]] to [[Wick, Highland|Wick]] ran aground on Soa on 15 April 1912, the crew of 11 escaping in two boats.<ref>[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/118303/details/cathcart+park+soa+island+passage+of+tiree/ "Cathcart Park: Soa Island, Passage Of Tiree"] RCAHMS. Retrieved 13 July 2009.</ref><ref group="fn">The record is tentative, the press cutting the record refers to identifying "'Sheep Island', one of the [[Torran Rocks]] near Iona" but there is no other obvious contender.</ref>

=== Subdivision ===
On a map of 1874, the following territorial subdivision is indicated (from north to south):<ref>[[:File:Modern Hy (Iona) by John Bartholomy 1874.jpg|John Bartholomew: Modern Hy]] (1874)</ref>
* Ceann Tsear (East Head);
* Sliabh Meanach (Middle Mountain);
* Machar (Low-lying Grassy Plain);
* Sliginach (Shelly Area);
* Sliabh Siar (Rear Mountain);
* Staonaig (Sloping Ground).

== History ==
=== Dál Riata ===
[[File:KellsFol292rIncipJohn.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Book of Kells]] – Gospel of John]]

In the early Historic Period Iona lay within the [[Gaels|Gaelic]] [[Monarchy|kingdom]] of [[Dál Riata]], in the region controlled by the [[Cenél Loairn]] (i.e. [[Lorne, Scotland|Lorn]], as it was then). The island was the site of a highly important [[monastery]] (see [[Iona Abbey]]) during the [[Early Middle Ages]]. The monastery was founded in 563 by the monk [[Columba]], also known as Colm Cille, who sailed here from Ireland to live the monastic life. Much later legends (a thousand years later, and without any good evidence) said that he had been exiled from his native [[Ireland]] as a result of his involvement in the [[Battle of Cúl Dreimhne|Battle of Cul Dreimhne]].<ref>[[Adomnan of Iona|Admonan]] ''The Life of St. Columba, Founder of Hy'' ed. [[William Reeves (bishop)|William Reeves]] (1857) University Press for the Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society. pp. 248-250.</ref> Columba and twelve companions went into exile on Iona and founded a monastery there. The monastery was hugely successful and may have played a role in the conversion to [[Christianity]] of the [[Picts]] and Gaels of present-day [[Scotland]] in the late 6th century, and was certainly central to the conversion of the [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] kingdom of [[Northumbria]] in 635. Many satellite institutions were founded, and Iona became the centre of one of the most important [[Hiberno-Scottish mission|monastic systems]] in Great Britain and Ireland.<ref name=Koch>Koch, pp. 657-658.</ref>

Iona became a renowned centre of learning, and its [[scriptorium]] produced highly important documents, probably including the original texts of the Iona Chronicle, thought to be the source for the early [[Irish annals]].<ref name=Koch/> The monastery is often associated with the distinctive practices and traditions known as [[Celtic Christianity]]. In particular, Iona was a major supporter of the "Celtic" system for [[Celtic Christianity#Easter calculation|calculating the date of Easter]] at the time of the [[Easter controversy]], which pitted supporters of the Celtic system against those favoring the "Roman" system used elsewhere in Western Christianity. The controversy weakened Iona's ties to Northumbria, which adopted the Roman system at the [[Synod of Whitby]] in 664, and to Pictland, which followed suit in the early 8th century. Iona itself did not adopt the Roman system until 715, according to the Anglo-Saxon historian [[Bede]]. Iona's prominence was further diminished over the next centuries as a result of [[Viking Age|Viking raids]] and the rise of other powerful monasteries in the system, such as the [[Abbey of Kells]].<ref name=Koch/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Forte |first1=Angelo |last2=Oram |first2=Richard |last3=Pedersen |first3=Frederik |title=Viking Empires |date=2005 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge |isbn=9780521829922 |pages=55–58}}</ref>

The [[Book of Kells]] may have been produced or begun on Iona towards the end of the 8th century.<ref name=Koch/><ref>Forbes, Andrew; Henley, David (2012). ''Pages from the Book of Kells''. Chiang Mai: Cognoscenti Books. ASIN: B00AN4JVI0</ref> Around this time the island's exemplary [[high cross]]es were sculpted; these may be the first such crosses to contain the ring around the intersection that became characteristic of the "[[Celtic cross]]".<ref name=Koch/> The series of Viking raids on Iona began in 794 and, after its treasures had been plundered many times, Columba's relics were removed and divided two ways between Scotland and Ireland in 849 as the monastery was abandoned.<ref name=bbc>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/scottishhistory/earlychurch/trails_earlychurch_iona2.shtml |title=BBC – History – Scottish History |publisher=BBC |access-date=21 June 2020}}</ref>

=== Kingdom of the Isles ===
As the Norse domination of the west coast of Scotland advanced, Iona became part of the [[Kingdom of the Isles]]. The Norse  ''Rex plurimarum insularum'' [[Amlaíb Cuarán]] died in 980 or 981 whilst in "religious retirement" on Iona.<ref name=OC11>Ó Corráin (1998) p. 11</ref><ref>Gregory (1881) pp. 4-6</ref> Nonetheless, the island was sacked twice by his successors, on Christmas night 986 and again in 987.<ref>Woolf (2007) pp. 217-218</ref> Although Iona was never again important to Ireland, it rose to prominence once more in Scotland following the establishment of the [[Kingdom of Scotland]] in the later 9th century; the ruling dynasty of Scotland traced its origin to Iona, and the island thus became an important spiritual centre for the new kingdom, with many of its early kings buried there.<ref name=Koch/> However, a campaign by [[Magnus Barelegs]] led to the formal acknowledgement of Norwegian control of Argyll, in 1098.

[[Somerled]], the brother-in-law of Norway's governor of the region (the ''King of the Isles''), launched a revolt and made the kingdom independent. A [[convent]] for [[Augustinians|Augustinian]] nuns was established in about 1208, with [[Bethóc, Prioress of Iona|Bethóc]], Somerled's daughter, as first prioress. The present buildings are of the Benedictine [[abbey]], [[Iona Abbey]], from about 1203, dissolved at the [[Reformation]].

On Somerled's death, nominal Norwegian overlordship of the Kingdom was re-established, but de facto control was split between Somerled's sons, and his brother-in-law.

=== Kingdom of Scotland ===
Following the 1266 [[Treaty of Perth]] the Hebrides were transferred from Norwegian to Scottish overlordship.<ref>Hunter (2000) pp. 110-111</ref> At the end of the century, King [[John Balliol]] was challenged for the throne by [[Robert the Bruce]]. By this point, Somerled's descendants had split into three groups, the [[Clann Ruaidhrí|MacRory]], [[Clan MacDougall|MacDougalls]], and [[Clan Donald|MacDonalds]]. The MacDougalls backed Balliol, so when he was defeated by Bruce, the latter exiled the MacDougalls and transferred their island territories to the MacDonalds; by marrying the [[Amy of Garmoran|heir of the MacRory]]s, [[John of Islay, Lord of the Isles|the heir of the MacDonalds]] re-unified most of Somerled's realm, creating the [[Lordship of the Isles]], under nominal Scottish authority. Iona, which had been a MacDougall territory (together with the rest of Lorn), was given to the [[Clan Campbell|Campbells]], where it remained for half a century.

In 1354, though in exile and without control of his ancestral lands, [[John Gallda MacDougall|John, the MacDougall heir]], quitclaimed any rights he had over Mull and Iona to the Lord of the Isles (though this had no meaningful effect at the time). When Robert's son, [[David II of Scotland|David II]], became king, he spent some time in English captivity; following his release, in 1357, he restored MacDougall authority over Lorn. The 1354 quitclaim, which seems to have been an attempt to ensure peace in just such an eventuality, took automatic effect, splitting Mull and Iona from Lorn, and making it subject to the Lordship of the Isles. Iona remained part of the Lordship of the Isles for the next century and a half.

Following the 1491 [[Raid on Ross]], the Lordship of the Isles was dismantled, and Scotland gained full control of Iona for the second time. The monastery and nunnery continued to be active until the [[Scottish Reformation|Reformation]], when buildings were demolished and all but three of the 360 carved crosses destroyed.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.scotland.org.uk/guide/places/isle-of-iona-visitor-guide |title=Isle of Iona Visitor Guide, Hotels, Cottages, Things to Do in Scotland |website=scotland.org.uk |access-date=21 June 2020}}</ref> The Augustine nunnery now only survives as a number of 13th century ruins, including a church and cloister. By the 1760s little more of the nunnery remained standing than at present, though it is the most complete remnant of a medieval nunnery in Scotland.

=== Post-Union ===
After a visit in 1773, the English writer [[Samuel Johnson]] remarked:

:The island, which was once the metropolis of learning and piety, now has no school for education, nor temple for worship.<ref>[https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2064 ''A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland''], Project Gutenberg.</ref>

He estimated the population of the village at 70 families or perhaps 350 inhabitants.

In the 19th century, green-streaked marble was commercially mined in the south-east of Iona; the quarry and machinery survive, see "Marble Quarry remains" below.<ref>Industrial Archaeology review, Vol. I Number 1 Autumn 1976 ''The Marble Quarry, Iona, Inner Hebrides'', D. J. Viner, Oxford University Press.</ref>

== Iona Abbey ==
{{main|Iona Abbey}}
[[File:Iona Abbey. Panorama.jpg|thumb|center|750px|Panoramic view]]
[[File:Iona.showing.monasteries.jpg|thumb|Enlargement, showing the location of the abbey and monasteries]]

Iona Abbey, now an [[ecumenical]] church, is of particular historical and religious interest to pilgrims and visitors alike. It is the most elaborate and best-preserved ecclesiastical building surviving from the Middle Ages in the [[Western Isles]] of [[Scotland]]. Though modest in scale in comparison to medieval abbeys elsewhere in [[Western Europe]], it has a wealth of fine architectural detail and monuments of many periods. The enabling endowments, the core economic strength and life-blood of the Abbey came from successive Clan Donald Lords of the Isles and for 300 years were regularly confirmed, honoured, protected, increased and expanded. Endowments had "carta confirmations" and additional ones made by them during the 14th and 15th centuries as late as 1440 and 1485. Donald of Harlaw (1386-1421): "gave lands to the monastery of Iona, and every immunity which the monastery of Iona had from his ancestors before him" – MacVurich. It might be expressed that Iona Abbey had been acting as a "(holy owned) land trust" for Clan Donald from Somerled who built St. Oran's Chapel.<ref>Ian Ross Macdonnell, Clan Donald & Iona Abbey 1200-1500, at p. 18.</ref>

The [[8th Duke of Argyll]] presented the sacred buildings and sites of the island to the Iona Cathedral trust in 1899.<ref name=Smith/> Historic Environment Scotland also recommends visiting the Augustinian nunnery, "the most complete nunnery complex to survive in Scotland".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/iona-abbey-and-nunnery/ |title=Iona Abbey and Nunnery}}</ref> The nunnery was founded by Somerled's son, Reginald, as was Iona Abbey and Saddell Abbey. Reginald's sister, Beathag, was the first Prioress of the Iona Nunnery.<ref>Ian Ross Macdonnell, Clan Donald & Iona Abbey 1200-1500, at pp. 132 and 34.</ref> The nunnery declined after the [[Scottish Reformation]] but was still used as a burial place for women.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.welcometoiona.com/places-of-interest/the-nunnery/ |title=The Nunnery}}</ref>

In front of the Abbey stands the 9th century St Martin's Cross, one of the best-preserved Celtic crosses in the [[British Isles]], and a replica of the 8th century St John's Cross (original fragments in the Abbey museum).

The ancient burial ground, called the Rèilig Odhrain (Eng: Oran's "burial place" or "cemetery"), contains the 12th century chapel built by Somerled where the Lords of the Isles were buried and named after [[Saint Otteran|St Odhrán]] (said to be [[Columba]]'s uncle). It was restored at the same time as the Abbey itself. It contains a number of medieval grave monuments. The abbey graveyard is said to contain the graves of many early [[Scotland/Monarchs|Scottish Kings]], as well as Norse kings from Ireland and Norway. Iona became the burial site for the kings of [[Dál Riata]] and their successors. Notable burials there include:

* [[Cináed mac Ailpín]], king of the Picts (also known today as "Kenneth I of Scotland");
* [[Domnall mac Causantín]], alternatively "king of the Picts" or "king of Scotland" ("Donald II");
* [[Máel Coluim mac Domnaill]], king of Scotland ("Malcolm I");
* [[Donnchad mac Crínáin]], king of Scotland ("Duncan I");
* [[Mac Bethad mac Findlaích]], king of Scotland ("Macbeth");
* [[Domnall mac Donnchada]], king of Scotland ("Donald III");
* [[John Smith (Labour Party leader)|John Smith]], Labour Party Leader.

In 1549 an inventory of 48 Scottish, 8 Norwegian and 4 Irish kings was recorded. None of these graves are now identifiable (their inscriptions were reported to have worn away at the end of the 17th century). Saint [[Baithin]] and Saint [[Fáilbe mac Pípáin|Failbhe]] may also be buried on the island. The Abbey graveyard is also the final resting place of [[John Smith (Labour Party leader)|John Smith]], the former Labour Party leader, who loved Iona. His grave is marked with an epitaph quoting [[Alexander Pope]]: "An honest man's the noblest work of God".<ref name=rowe>[http://travel.independent.co.uk/uk/article625010.ece ''Walk Of The Month: The island of Iona''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022054221/http://travel.independent.co.uk/uk/article625010.ece |date=22 October 2007}} ''[[The Independent]]'' 4 June 2006</ref>

Limited archaeological investigations commissioned by the National Trust for Scotland found some evidence for ancient burials in 2013. The excavations, conducted in the area of [[Martyrs of Iona|Martyrs Bay]], revealed burials from the 6th–8th centuries, probably jumbled up and reburied in the 13–15th centuries.<ref>{{cite news |last=Alistair |first=Munro |date=17 May 2013 |title=Isle of Iona may be ancient burial site |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/isle-of-iona-may-be-ancient-burial-site-1-2934998 |work=The Scotsman |location=Edinburgh, Scotland |access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref>

Other early Christian and medieval monuments have been removed for preservation to the cloister arcade of the Abbey, and the Abbey museum (in the medieval infirmary). The ancient buildings of Iona Abbey are now cared for by [[Historic Environment Scotland]] (there is an entrance charge to visit them).

== Marble quarry remains ==
[[File:Marble Quarry Iona.jpg|thumb|Iona Marble Quarry]]

The remains of a marble quarrying enterprise are present in a small bay on the south-east shore of Iona.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst91934.html |title=Iona Marble Quarry from the Gazetteer for Scotland}}</ref> The quarry is the source of "Iona Marble", a translucent green and white stone, much used in brooches and other jewellery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alexander-ritchie.co.uk/marble.htm |title=About Iona Marble}}</ref> The stone has been known of for centuries and was credited with healing and other powers. While the quarry had been used in a small way, it was not until around the end of the 18th century when it was opened up on a more industrial scale by the Duke of Argyle.<ref>{{Cite book |title=MacArthur, E. Mairi, Iona, Colin Baxter Island Guide (1997) Colin Baxter Photography, Grantown-on-Spey, see Chapter 10, 128 pp.}}</ref> The difficulties of extracting the hard stone and transporting it meant that the scheme was short lived. Another attempt was started in 1907, this time more successful with considerable quantities of stone extracted and indeed exported. The First World War impacted the quarry, with little quarrying after 1914 and the operation finally closed in 1919. A painting showing the quarry in operation, ''The Marble Quarry, Iona'' (1909) by [[David Young Cameron]], is in the collection of [[Cartwright Hall]] art gallery in Bradford.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/the-marble-quarry-iona-23417/view_as/grid/search/keyword:the-marble-quarry-cameron/page/1# |title=The Marble Quarry, Iona |publisher=ArtUK |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref> The site has been designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM5255|desc=Iona Marble Quarry, quarry NE of An t-Aird|access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>

== Present day ==
The island, other than the land owned by the Iona Cathedral Trust, was purchased from the Duke of Argyll by [[Sir Hugh Fraser, 2nd Baronet|Hugh Fraser]] in 1979 and donated to the [[National Trust for Scotland]].<ref name=Smith/> In 2001 Iona's population was 125<ref>{{GRO10}}</ref> and by the time of the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 census]] this had grown to 177 usual residents.<ref name=NRS>{{NRS1C}}</ref> During the same period [[List of Scottish islands|Scottish island]] populations as a whole grew by 4% to 103,702.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-23711202 "Scotland's 2011 census: Island living on the rise"]. BBC News. Retrieved 18 August 2013.</ref> The resident population in 2022 was stable at 178.<ref name=RESAS/>

The island's tourism bureau estimated that roughly 130,000 visitors arrived each year.<ref name="Isle of Iona">{{cite web |url=http://www.welcometoiona.com/ |title=Isle of Iona}}</ref> Many tourists come to visit the Abbey and other ecclesiastical properties and the marble quarry or to enjoy the nine beaches that are within walking distance of the main area.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.isle-of-iona.net/ |title=Welcome to the Isle of Iona}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.welcometoiona.com/places-of-interest/ |title=Places of Interest}}</ref>

=== Iona Community ===
{{main|Iona Community}}
[[File:Iona Village from seawards.jpg|thumb|Baile Mòr viewed from the Sound of Iona]]

Not to be confused with the local island community, Iona (Abbey) Community is based within Iona Abbey.

In 1938 [[George MacLeod]] founded the Iona Community, an ecumenical Christian community of men and women from different walks of life and different traditions in the Christian church committed to seeking new ways of living the [[Gospel]] of [[Jesus]] in today's world. This community is a leading force in the present [[Celtic Christian]] revival.

The Iona Community runs three residential centres on the Isle of Iona and on [[Isle of Mull|Mull]], where one can live together in community with people of every background from all over the world. Weeks at the centres often follow a programme related to the concerns of the Iona Community.

The 8 tonne ''Fallen Christ'' sculpture by [[Ronald Rae]] was permanently situated outside the MacLeod Centre in February 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iona.org.uk/news.php?id=44 |title=The Fallen Christ on Iona |publisher=iona.org.uk |access-date=8 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609065637/http://www.iona.org.uk/news.php?id=44 |archive-date=9 June 2008}}</ref>

=== Transport ===
Visitors can reach Iona by the 10 minute ferry trip across the [[Sound of Iona]] from [[Fionnphort]] on [[Isle of Mull|Mull]]. The most common route from the mainland is via [[Oban]] in [[Argyll and Bute]], where regular ferries connect to [[Craignure]] on Mull, from where the scenic road runs {{convert|37|mi|abbr=off}} to Fionnphort. Tourist coaches and local bus services meet the ferries.

Car ownership is lightly regulated, with no requirement for a MOT Certificate or payment of Road Tax for cars kept permanently on the island, but vehicular access is restricted to permanent residents and there are few cars. Visitors are not allowed to bring vehicles onto the island although "blue badge holders with restricted mobility ... may apply for a permit under certain exemptions". Visitors will find the village, the shops, the post office, the cafe, the hotels and the abbey are all within walking distance. Bike hire is available at the pier, and on Mull. Taxi service is also available.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.welcometoiona.com/visiting-iona/vehicles-on-iona/ |title=Vehicles on Iona}}</ref>

{{Adjacent stations|noclear=yes|system1=Caledonian MacBrayne
|line1=Fionnphort–Iona|right1=Fionnphort
}}

=== Tourism ===
Conde Nast Traveller recommends the island for its "peaceful atmosphere ... a popular place for spiritual retreats" but also recommends the "sandy beaches, cliffs, rocks, fields and bogs ... "wildflowers and birds such as the rare corncrake and puffins" as well as the "abundance of sea life".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/islands-scotland |title=THE 20 MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS TO VISIT IN SCOTLAND}}</ref>

The Iona Council advises visitors that they can find a campsite (at Cnoc Oran), a hostel (at Lagandorain), family run [[bed and breakfast]]s and two hotels on the island in addition to several self-catering houses.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.welcometoiona.com/visiting-iona/accommodation/ |title=Accommodation}}</ref> The agency also mentions that distances are short, with the Abbey a mere 10 minutes walk from the pier. Tourists can rent bikes or use the local taxi.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.welcometoiona.com/visiting-iona/getting-around/ |title=Getting Around}}</ref>

{{wide image|TyIona20030825r17f31.jpg|700px|Iona from Mull. The Abbey lies below Dun Ì at right and the main settlement of Baile Mòr is to the left.}}

== Iona in Scottish painting ==
The island of Iona has played an important role in Scottish landscape painting, especially during the Twentieth Century. As travel to north and west Scotland became easier from the mid-eighteenth century onwards, artists' visits to the island steadily increased. The Abbey remains in particular became frequently recorded during this early period. Many of the artists are listed and illustrated in the valuable book, ''"Iona Portrayed – The Island through Artists' Eyes 1760–1960"'',<ref>{{Cite book |title=Christian, Jessica & Stiller, Charles (2000), Iona Portrayed – The Island through Artists' Eyes 1760–1960, The New Iona Press, Inverness, 96 pp., numerous illustrations in B&W and colour, with list of artists.}}</ref> which lists over 170 artists known to have painted on the island.

The twentieth century, however, saw the greatest period of influence on landscape painting, in particular through the many paintings of the island produced by [[Francis Cadell (artist)|F. C. B. Cadell]] and [[Samuel Peploe|S. J. Peploe]], two of the "[[Scottish Colourists]]". As with many artists, both professional and amateur, they were attracted by the unique quality of light, the white sandy beaches, the aquamarine colours of the sea and the landscape of rich greens and rocky outcrops. While Cadell and Peploe are perhaps best known, many major Scottish painters of the C20 worked on Iona and visited many times – for example [[George Houston (artist)|George Houston]], [[David Young Cameron|D. Y. Cameron]], [[James Shearer]], [[John Duncan (painter)|John Duncan]] and [[John Maclauchlan Milne]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Millar|first= Maurice N. |url=http://www.themissingcolourist.co.uk|year=2022|title=The Missing Colourist - the search for John Maclauchlan Milne, RSA|page=95-98 |website=www.themissingcolourist.co.uk}}</ref> among many.

<gallery>
File:Cathedral Rock, Iona - Samuel John Peploe - ABDAG010719.jpg|alt=Rocky landscape with sea and islands in background|''Cathedral Rock, Iona'', [[Samuel Peploe]] (1920), [[Aberdeen Art Gallery]]
File:Lunga from Iona - Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell - ABDAG002205.jpg|alt=Grassy foreground leading to beach, cliffs and sea|''Lunga from Iona'', [[Francis Cadell (artist)|Francis Cadell]], [[Aberdeen Art Gallery]]
File:Stormy Weather, Iona by Samuel John Peploe - Samuel John Peploe - ABDAG003040.jpg|alt=Seascape with waves crashing against coastal rocks|''Stormy Weather, Iona'', [[Samuel Peploe]] (ca.1929), [[Aberdeen Art Gallery]]
</gallery>

== Media and the arts ==
[[Samuel Johnson]] wrote "That man is little to be envied whose patriotism would not gain force upon the [[Battle of Marathon|plains of Marathon]] or whose piety would not grow warmer amid the ruins of Iona."<ref>Johnson (1775) p. 217</ref>

In [[Jules Verne]]'s novel ''[[The Green Ray]]'', the heroes visit Iona in chapters 13 to 16. The inspiration is romantic, the ruins of the island are conducive to daydreaming. The young heroine, Helena Campbell, argues that Scotland in general and Iona in particular are the scene of the appearance of goblins and other familiar demons.

In [[Jean Raspail]]'s novel ''The Fisherman's Ring'' (1995), his cardinal is one of the last to support the antipope [[Antipope Benedict XIII|Benedict XIII]] and his successors.

In the novel ''The Carved Stone'' (by [[Guillaume Prévost]]), the young Samuel Faulkner is projected in time as he searches for his father and lands on Iona in the year 800, then threatened by the Vikings.

"Peace of Iona" is a song written by [[Mike Scott (Scottish musician)|Mike Scott]] that appears on the studio album ''[[Universal Hall]]'' and on the live recording ''[[Karma to Burn (The Waterboys album)|Karma to Burn]]'' by [[The Waterboys]]. Iona is the setting for the song "Oran" on the 1997 [[Steve McDonald (Celtic music)|Steve McDonald]] album ''Stone of Destiny''.

Iona is featured prominently in the first episode ("By the Skin of Our Teeth") of the celebrated arts series ''[[Civilisation: A Personal View by Kenneth Clark]]'' (1969).

The [[Academy Award]]–nominated Irish animated film ''[[The Secret of Kells]]'' is about the creation of the [[Book of Kells]]. One of the characters, Brother Aidan, is a master [[Limner|illuminator]] from Iona Abbey who had helped to illustrate the Book, but had to escape the island with it during a Viking invasion.

[[Neil Gaiman]]'s poem "In Relig Odhrain", published in ''Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances (2015)'', retells the story of Oran's death, and the creation of the chapel on Iona.  This poem was made into a short stop-motion animated film, released in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegraveofsaintoran.com/|title=The Grave of St Oran|access-date=21 June 2020}}</ref>

The island is the setting for David Greig’s novel ‘’The Book of I,’’ 2025, Europa Editions. The novel takes place in 825.

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="170px" heights="200px" perrow="5">
File:St Martins Cross on Iona.jpg|St Martin's Cross (from the 9th century)
File:TyIonaNunnery20030825r19f31.jpg|[[Iona Nunnery]]
File:Cloisters of Abbey on the Isle of Iona.jpg|Abbey cloisters
File:TyIonaStColumbasBay20030825r19f10.jpg|Looking towards St. Columba's Bay
File:Iona2may11.jpg|Jetty at Baile Mòr
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Scottish islands}}
* [[List of islands of Scotland]]
* [[Bishop's House Iona]]
* [[Clann-an-oistir]]
* [[Dál Riata]]
* [[Statutes of Iona]]

== Footnotes ==
{{reflist|group="fn"}}

== References ==

=== Sources ===
* Christian, J.  &  Stiller, C. (2000), ''Iona Portrayed – The Island through Artists' Eyes 1760–1960'', The New Iona Press, Inverness, 96 pp., numerous illustrations in B&W and colour, with list of artists.
* Dwelly, Edward (1911), ''Faclair Gàidhlig gu Beurla le Dealbhan/The Illustrated [Scottish] Gaelic- English Dictionary'', Edinburgh, Birlinn. {{ISBN|1-874744-04-1}}
* {{Cite book |author-link=James E. Fraser (historian) |last=Fraser |first=James E. |title=From Caledonia to Pictland: Scotland to 795 |series=The New Edinburgh History of Scotland |volume=1 |year=2009 |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-0-7486-1232-1}}
* [[Donald Gregory|Gregory, Donald]] (1881), ''The History of the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotland 1493–1625'', Edinburgh, Birlinn, 2008 reprint – originally published by Thomas D. Morrison. {{ISBN|1-904607-57-8}}
* {{Haswell-Smith}}
* [[James Hunter (historian)|Hunter, James]] (2000), ''Last of the Free: A History of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland'', Edinburgh, Mainstream. {{ISBN|1-84018-376-4}}
* [[Samuel Johnson|Johnson, Samuel]] (1775), ''[[A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland]]'', London: Chapman & Dodd, (1924 edition).
* {{cite book |last=Koch |first=John T. |title=Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2006}}
* {{cite web |last=Mac an Tàilleir |first=Iain |year=2003 |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Gaelic/placenamesF-J.pdf#page=20 |page=67 |title=Placenames |location=Edinburgh |publisher=Scottish Parliament |access-date=20 June 2012}}
* Marsden, John (1995), ''The Illustrated Life of Columba'', Edinburgh, Floris Books. {{ISBN|0-86315-211-2}}.
* [[W.H. Murray|Murray, W. H.]] (1966), ''The Hebrides'', London, Heinemann.
* Ó Corráin, Donnchadh (1998), [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/news.html ''Vikings in Ireland and Scotland in the Ninth Century''] CELT.
* [[William J. Watson|Watson, W. J.]], ''The History of the Celtic Place-names of Scotland'', Reprinted with an introduction by Simon Taylor, Birlinn, Edinburgh, 2004. {{ISBN|1-84158-323-5}}
* {{citation |last=Woolf |first=Alex |title=From Pictland to Alba, 789–1070 |year=2007 |series=The New Edinburgh History of Scotland |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-0-7486-1234-5}}

=== Citations ===
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Citation |last=Bruce |first=James |year=2007 |title=Prophecy, Miracles, Angels & Heavenly Light? The Eschatology, Pneumatology and Missiology of Adomnan's Life of Columbia - Studies in Christian History and Thought |publisher=Paternoster |isbn=9781597527316}}
* Campbell, George F. (2006), ''The First and Lost Iona'', Glasgow: Candlemas Hill Publishing, {{ISBN|1-873586-13-2}} (and on Kindle).
* Herbert, Maire (1996), ''Iona, Kells and Derry: The History and Hagiography of the Monastic familia of Columba'', Dublin: Four Courts Press.
* MacArthur, E Mairi, ''Iona, Colin Baxter Island Guide'' (1997), Colin Baxter Photography, Grantown-on-Spey, 128 pp.

== External links ==
{{commons category|Iona, Scotland}}
{{Wikivoyage|Iona}}
{{NSRW Poster|Iona}}

* [https://visitmullandiona.co.uk Visit Mull & Iona] (Official tourism website for the Isles of Mull and Iona)
* [http://www.isle-of-iona.net/ Isle of Iona, Scotland] (A visitors guide to the Isle)
* [http://www.iona.org.uk/ The Iona Community] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017010107/http://www.iona.org.uk/ |date=17 October 2007 }}
* Computer-generated virtual panorama [https://web.archive.org/web/20060405183413/http://www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/panoramas/ISL/Iona.gif Summit of Iona] [http://www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/panoramas.html Index]
* {{oscoor gbx|NM2724}}
* [http://pa.photoshelter.com/gallery-show/G0000s2KrktWWt.Y/ Photo Gallery of Iona] by [[Enrico Martino]]
* [http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Iona/About/ National Trust for Scotland property page]

{{Mull}}
{{Hebrides}}
{{Islands of Scotland}}
{{Portal bar|Scotland}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Iona}}
[[Category:Iona| ]]<!--please leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:Burial sites of the Crovan dynasty]]
[[Category:Burial sites of the Royal House of Northumbria]]
[[Category:Extinct volcanoes of Europe]]
[[Category:National Trust for Scotland properties]]
[[Category:Paleogene volcanism]]
[[Category:Volcanoes of Scotland]]
[[Category:Islands of Argyll and Bute]]
[[Category:Islands of the Inner Hebrides]]