The Isle of Iona

The Isle of Iona (just 3.5 x 1.5 miles) is the birthplace of Celtic Christianity. St Columba came here in 563 exiled from his native Ireland, and built a monastery. Today the beautiful Iona Abbey (which lies not far from the original monastery burned down by Viking raiders during the 9th century) is home to the Iona Community and a place of Christian pilgrimage.