Scotland – Slow Ride to Iona

The next morning, we had breakfast and then took a suggested hike along the bay through some woods and to a small waterfall that ran into the bay. There were many different types of boats in the bay from little dinghies to a full cruise ship. After our hike we checked out and loaded up to drive through the Isle of Mull and take a couple more ferries and get to Iona.

We drove along mostly one lane roads. These narrow roads are shared by everyone, including when we came across a herd of cattle that wanted to share the road with us. As we drove along this route the views seemed to just expand. With each curve of the road there seemed to be bigger and bigger expanses of land spilling out before us. Open spaces, hills, lochs, and sheep grazing everywhere. Eventually we arrived at the Isle of Ulva ferry.

This was not what most would think of a ferry. You park your car, slide a little piece of wood that singles the ferry man to come get you and he drives over in his little fishing boat. You get on and he takes you over. On the Isle of Ulva there is a little pub called The Boathouse. It is new people running it and they make amazing gourmet food. We arrived at lunch time and the only table available was a picnic table that had half the table sinking into the ground, but we got our food balanced and ate, while talking to a couple at the table with us. They told us of Ulva Garden on the isle and that we should go check them out. The woman was helping to restore the gardens. We did walk and find the garden, having to walk through a heard of Highland Cattle along the way. They are a work in progress from being neglected for many years, but it will be gorgeous.

We took the ferry back across and headed off for the ferry at Fionnphort to get to Iona. It was going to be very close on time as all the roads we would be driving would be one lane roads. If we did not make this ferry, there would not be another till the next day. Even though we were rushing and listening to the audio book none of us took for granted each and every view we saw. Just so much beauty along the way, and so remote. So many tiny little clusters of homes with a shop or pub along the way. I couldn’t even imagine what life out this remote would be like. We also knew that the weather we were experiencing was not normal. Everyone commented on it as we traveled. People apologized for how warm it was and that it was so very sunny. It was clear that it should have been very overcast with strong winds and cooler temperatures. We enjoyed it.

We did not take the car over to Iona, so when we arrived, we quickly jumped out and grabbed our stuff. Fiona ran in and made sure we could get on the Ferry that was about to disembark, while Perry got a parking pass and Becky and I grabbed stuff. We made it, barely. The ferry is only about 10-15 minutes, but Iona is really amazing. It is where Iona Abbey is located that was founded by the monk Columba who came from Ireland in 563 AD. The island only has a population of 120 people. The Abbey and a few places to stay and some restaurants is really all the town is made up of. We all checked into our respective hotels and then we met up for dinner at Perry and Fiona’s hotel for dinner. Our hotel was nice, but when we got to our room it faced the southwest and the sun had been baking it all day. This is not usual a problem on Iona, because the sun does not shine like it has of recent days. The hotel was nice enough to find us a fan to help cool down the room since there are no AC units in most of the UK, except for very modern buildings in major cities. It cooled down before we went to bed.

It was so relaxing on the isle, and we just relaxed and had a great meal together. Then we went to the 9pm service at the Iona Abbey, which is one of the oldest Christian centers in all of Europe. It is now run and managed by the Iona Community which is an ecumenical Christian community. The service was very nice. When we came out the sun was going down on the west side of the isle and it was gorgeous. We said our goodnights and headed in for the evening.