Oban 20 July 2017

We awoke to anor beautiful day sunny warm lovely day for our journey from Oban to Mull and on to the Isle of Iona.  We had a coffee in town before we headed over to the ferry which was taking us to Mull.  There would have been at least 400 of us for the ferry which takes 50 mins to go across to Mull.  This is an extremely picturesque journey.  I met a darling Springer Spaniel by the name of Ollie he came along for the entire journey to Iona.  Dogs are permitted on the ferries buses etc.  Once we arrived in Craignure on Mull we boarded a bus for Fionnphort thru mountains and lochs very beautiful storybook country really.  This journey took us one and half hours then we boarded anor ferry only ten or so minutes this time which took us to Iona.

Iona a very important Isle St Columba arrived there in 563 with 12 monks.  For many centuries Iona has been a sacred place for pilgrims drawn by faith and by the beauty of the island.  Still they come today, from all walks of life and from throughout the world.  A Monastery was built there.   The Vikings attacked in 795 with subsequent attacks taking place in 802, 806 and 825. During the 806 attack 68 monks were massacred and this lead to many of the Columban Monks relocating to the Columban Abbey of Kells in Ireland.  Eventually the Vikings settled and converted to Christianity.

 The Benedictines arrived and established a new Monastery and started work on building a new Abbey on the site of Columnbas original Church.  A Nunnery was also established and it was of the Augustian Order.

The Reformation occurred and all fell into ruin.

The Duke of Argyll was the owner of the Isle of Iona and began some restoration work in 1899 he then transferred the ruined remains of the Abbey and Nunnery to the Iona Cathedral Trust.  In 1938 the inspiration of Rev George MacLeod visionary and prophetic witness for peace set about to restore the Abbey and surrounding buildings and the local Christian Community continues to use the site to this day.  It is used by all denominations which was the Duke of Argyll's intention.

While we were there today I stayed for the 2.00 prayer service which today was led by a lovely gentleman who had been a minister and he prayed for the women of the world for all the facets of their lives, that they receive the remuneration they deserve for the work they do that they should have peace.  He said women have always been forgotton and dismissed he said there is a list of every Monk and male who served at the Abbey but only the names of two nuns from the Nunnery.  He was indeed through provoking.

We set off for our ferry coach ferry journeys at 3.00 and arrived back in Oban at 6.00.  Had some dinner in town and back at our hotel now doing my blog and preparing for our big day tomorrow. This has been a very lovely day I always knew of Iona have attended many Iona Passion Plays when I was a young girl in Brisbane.

All the best Sabine and Sam  xx