Things To Do On Iona

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Indoors

In the hotel, the lounges are well stocked with fiction and non-fiction, spotters guides and Scottish and island history books. But with the advent of Kindle it is easy to carry a library with you. We do have wifi but our signal is not strong or consistent. Many guests enjoy the opportunity of being truly away from technology and TV to enjoy the beauty and peace of Iona.

 

Outdoors

The geology of Iona is distinct from Mull, and has some of the oldest rock on earth. Each beach has it’s own character and colours that range from grey, to red, green, white and pink. A visit to the Heritage Centre on Iona is well worth while. Entry is free and gives a social history of the Island and is great for a rainy day or to buy small gifts.

Get out on the water!  Boat trips run twice daily (weather permitting) to the famous island of Staffa where you can visit Fingal's Cave, the inspiration for Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture, and visit the puffins.  Book your trip with either Staffa Trips www.staffatrips.co.uk or Staffa Tours www.staffatours.co.uk; Staffa Tours also offer longer day trips once or twice weekly to include the other Treshnish Isles, particularly Lunga, which is rich in birdlife.  For something a little different, try Alternative Boat Hire www.boattripsiona.com, offering scheduled and bespoke trips aboard an ex-fishing sailing boat.

Walking and hiking - you just need a map! Ask at reception for our simple walks guides. If you want to be guided on your walk David Allaway runs Iona Trails (www.ionatrails.com).

In terms of bikes some regulars bring their own but they can be hired from The Iona Craft Shop  (www.ionacraftshop.com) . Please contact them directly.

Other things you might like to bring include kites, fishing rods, painting gear, telescopes, bird and flower spotting guides - the list can be endless!

For the enthusiastic golfer there is an 18 hole links course on the common grazing ground or machair to the west of the island. The golf course map is available at the Post Office in the village street. The Annual Open takes place every year to all comers on the second Friday of August. Golf clubs can be borrowed from the Argyll Hotel for a donation towards the Iona Defibrilators.

 

Wildlife

The pristine environment on Iona and Mull give rise to many wildlife spotting opportunities. Take a boat trip from Iona to Staff and Lunga to see puffins, fulmars and more nesting from May to late July. Basking sharks and dolphins can sometimes be seen on these boat trips. Watch out for otters at the South East and North End beaches and plummeting gannets in the sound. Dolphins and porpoises cruise the waters around Iona and can be seen playing sometimes in the bay in front of the hotel.

The elusive Corncrake with its rasping call attracts bird enthusiasts. New crofting practices have been instrumental in the increasing numbers of these endangered birds who come from Africa only to breed.

Wildlife tours can be picked up at Fionnphort (see links) and you can make a booking to view the nesting White Tailed Sea Eagles at Glen Seilisdeir guided by an RSPB ranger.

 

The Country Code

Lambing begins in March and nesting birds are on beaches and in dunes from April through August so please take additional care when walking especially with dogs. The Hotel has more detailed information in the Green File in the Sun Lounge. For more detailed information see the Scottish outdoor access code.

 

Historical and Ecclesiastical

Pilgrims have been travelling to Iona for around 1500 years. Two millennia ago Iona was at the heart of the Dal Riata, the great sea kingdom of the Western Isles. St Columba arrived here in 563 A.D and his legacy continues to draw people from all over the world.

For information on the Abbey, The Nunnery, The Iona Community, The Catholic House of Prayer and the Parish church, see our links page.

 

Cultural and Artistic

The sheer magic of the environment has inspired generations of poets and writers such as Wordsworth, Keats, Sir Walter Scott, Louis Stevenson and artists such as the Scottish Colourists, and the famous Celtic jeweller Alec Ritchie. The island continues to inspire creativity to the present day with our local artist and silver smith Mhairi Killin, and the poet Kenneth Stevens.

We host writing workshops inspired by the Celtic Experience of wilderness and landscape and hope to be offering more in the future. Keep an eye on our current news and events.

 

Shopping

You will need to make any specialist purchases before you arrive on Iona. There are plenty of opportunities for gift shopping from local artisans at: the Aosdana silver studio and gallery; The Iona Gallery and Pottery, selling both contemporary and original oil paintings; Oran Creative Crafts co-operative for local craftspeople; The Iona Craft Shop for Scottish knitwear and gifts; and the Martyrs' Bay Shop for general gifts and Sound of Iona tartan products. The Iona Community Shop has a wide selection of fair trade goods and Wild Goose books and publications and finally there is a shop in the abbey run by Historic Scotland. See here for links.

Food and toiletries can be purchased at the Spar shop and we have a post office so you can postmark your cards from here.