Day 9 On Mull
We woke to yet another fine day after a chilly night. We had set today aside to visit Iona, a small island off Mull.
According to iMaps the drive to Fionnphort (from where the ferry departs) is a bit over two hours. On the advice of a fellow guest here at Dervaig we decided drive go via Tobermory. We didn't actually go into Tobermory as we were a bit pressed for time (and a visit is on our itinerary for tomorrow) but the view from the road towards Tobermory was spectacular.
Going via Tobermory added a bit to the travel time and not far from the ferry we were sent along a detour because they were working on the “main” road. We arrived just in time to see the ferry pulling out so had to wait for the next one.
After a 10 minute ferry ride were arrived at Iona with its crystal clear water and lush green grass (no different to the rest of Scotland I guess).
Iona, the island from where St Columba set out to convert the Scots to Christianity, is considered a sacred place by Christians and recognised by most as a very spiritual place. There are the remains of a convent from about 1200AD with a beautiful garden
And St Columba's Abby (from 563AD) with its lovely cloisters,
many small chapels,
huge church,
and a grave yard which is rumoured to be the burial place of Macbeth (unconfirmed) but which definitely is the last resting place of John Smith. I'll leave it to Suzanne to comment and explain the significance of this.
We visited every gallery and craft shop on the island and had a lovely lunch at the St Columba Hotel which boasts fabulous views over the water.
On the return trip we decided to take the scenic route which meant a further 2 ½ hours of driving on narrow “single track roads” with “passing places”. Luckily there are plenty of them so it wasn't often necessary to stop and reverse up the road to allow someone to pass.
Sheep, with the cutest of baby lambs, grazing along the sides of the road were an extra complication. We managed to get home without squashing any of them.
Taking the slow route meant seeing more spectacular scenery, steep rocky mountains, and white sandy beaches.
posted by Wendy'sTrip @ 06:58
4 Comments
4 Comments:
Spectacular photos!
Arthur is enjoying your blog tho he seems to have a problem making a comment!
On the ferry from Oban to Mull my conversation with an elderly couple turned to what we should see on Mull. They mentioned the controversy the burial of the former Labour Party Leader John Smith has caused and suggested we see the grave. Apparently after approval was given for him to be buried in the Abbey cemetery on Iona thousands flocked to visit his grave. The fact that it might also have been the last resting place of Macbeth and other Scottish kings and clan chiefs was not of much interest to these visitors. Local residents were not happy. Sure enough when we entered the cemetery the first conversation I overheard was someone asking where John Smiths grave was.
I have too Douglas/Arthur but found Anonymous will publish. However, I didn't give my name on the end of the text, which is Jo Justin :) on the tip for Tasmanian whisky, Jo.
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