Iona a special place

Friday 15th September

Iona Abbey

Wind still rattling the windows when we awoke but clouds much higher. Ten minute trip to Iona with a packed lunch from the guesthouse in our packs, and then a short walk to the ruins of the Nunnery. The Abbey was next and we ended staying for more than two hours - much to see, read and think about. The first monastery here was founded by Columba in the late 700's, and although much has happened since, like Viking raids, closure by Henry VIIIth and buildings falling in to ruin, it has been and still is a very special spiritual place, visited by thousands of pilgrims each year. The abbey was rebuilt in the 1950's by a group led by Rev Macleod and there are daily Services led by the Iona Community. Many people participate in week long spiritual retreats led by the Iona Community leaders. We thoroughly enjoyed being there. At lunchtimewe sheltered from the wind next to the abbey with  sunny views across the straight to our base at Ffionphort. After lunch we had a bracing walk to the north of the island - lovely sea views of islands and beaches, cattle and sheep in green fields, and we felt blessed to be there.

Part of the Nunnery

We were blessed again when we returned to Staffa House. The nearby pub was going to be closed for dinner because they had a private function so the owners of the B&B, Janice and Chris, offered to put on a dinner for the eight guests in the Conservatory. They had only owned Staffa House for a week bur previously Chris had been a chef in a London Restaurant. The meal was magnificent - 3 courses with 3 choices for each course, all cooked superbly and presented wonderfully. As well as us there was a couple from Canada who now live in Cyprus, but have lived all over the world because of Luc's involvement as a leader of UN projects, a younger German couple who travel a lot and have the energy to climb mountains, and an older American couple who have been drawn to Iona 3 times before and who can't stand President Trump and what he is doing to the country they love. It was a most interesting and stimulating evening with lots of laughter and discussion and lasted for over 3 hours.

Staffa House

Saturday 16th September

Nice leisurely start with everyone at breakfast together, then we said our goodbyes and were off to head back for the ferry to cross to the mainland. This time we took the longer scenic route and despite the low cloud, some misty rain and a cold, but not very strong wind, it was magnificent. Rugged cliffs, high mountains, water rushing down glens, Highland cattle standing on the road and making us go around them and a challenging narrow road where sometimes whilst stopped in in a passing place waiting for an oncoming car, the passenger, one nervous Merilyn, reckons she was looking straight down at the rocks 100 metres below - she was exaggerating of course, it was only about 60 metres.

We took a short walk to visit the Macquarie family mausoleum - Lachlan Macquarie was the Governor of Australia for 11 years from 1810 and made significant contributions to the development of the Colony. The Mausoleum is maintained by the Australian National Trust.

We smoothly crossed over to Oban, a lively seaside town, and quickly found and settled into the Youth Hostel which is on the Esplanade and where our room is bright, roomy and,clean and we have a narrow view of the Bay. Very satisfactory.