What to do and see in Isle of Iona, Scotland: The Best Sights & Landmarks

May 16, 2022 Tonie Szymanski

Discover the best top things to do in Isle of Iona, United Kingdom including St. Oran's Cemetery, St. Oran's Chapel, Machair, Iona Abbey and Nunnery, Marble Quarry, Hermit's Cell, Iona Nunnery.
Restaurants in Isle of Iona

1. St. Oran's Cemetery

Scotland
Excellent
52%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 64 reviews

St. Oran's Cemetery

Some of the biggest names in Scottish royalty have been buried here since Scotland's earliest days.

Reviewed By gerryg868

The journey of Iona in al that you do on the island is a cast back to the legacy of the first steps of modern day Scotland and Christianity reaching Scotland, Iona is special and Iona is and will be part of me forever.

2. St. Oran's Chapel

Scotland http://www.ionahistory.org.uk/iona/ionahome/ionaexplore/ionaabbey/oranschapel.htm
Excellent
65%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 92 reviews

St. Oran's Chapel

This church, the oldest building on the island, is named after Oran, a convert who was buried alive to sanctify the church grounds.

3. Machair

Scotland
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 46 reviews

Machair

Take a swing at your ball, but try not to hit the grazing sheep: this 18-hole golf course is naturally dramatic and - best of all - free of charge.

Reviewed By yvonnel891 - Larbert, United Kingdom

Spent the evening watching the sunset in quite reflection, wonderful. Half and hour from the ferry slip, so peaceful and beautiful, just a stunning place.

4. Iona Abbey and Nunnery

Iona Abbey Iona ABBEY ISLE, PA76 6SQ Scotland +44 1681 700512 [email protected] http://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/iona-abbey-and-nunnery/
Excellent
69%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,010 reviews

Iona Abbey and Nunnery

The abbey is now open and we are delighted to welcome you back. Find out more about our reopening plans at restarthistory.scot. The Abbey Church at Iona Abbey will be inaccessible to visitors from 7 January to 17 March 2019. Iona Abbey is one of Scotland's most historic and sacred sites. Located on the Isle of Iona, just off the Isle of Mull, it was founded by St Columba and his Irish followers in AD 563. As a celebrated focus for Christian pilgrimage, Iona retains its spiritual atmosphere and remains an enduring symbol of worship. The abbey church was restored at the beginning of the 20th century, whilst work on restoring the living accommodation began in 1938, following the foundation of the Iona Community. Today, the Iona Community continues the tradition of worship first established by St Columba 1,450 years ago.

Reviewed By joanhart - Wellington, New Zealand

It was a stunning day in August last year whilst on a bus tour, that I got to fulfil a lifelong ambition to visit Iona. THe island is small, but with lovely gardens and ruins that were well worth the effort to see. THe Abbey is amazing - old yet vibrant and so windswept, the stone building having stood since around 800BC, it is one of the oldest Christian churches in western Europe founded by St Columba with 12 other Irish pilgrims. There is a nunnery, but this is in ruins but reasonably well preserved. Worth the trip and hsirotically, very important for me.

5. Marble Quarry

Scotland http://www.welcometoiona.com/places-of-interest/marble-quarry/
Excellent
50%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Marble Quarry

Reviewed By gerryg868

Liek all on Iona, this is special. A marble quarry that is historic. History and spirituality is what you will find on Iona ... so go and enjoy this truly amazing Island.

6. Hermit's Cell

Scotland
Excellent
33%
Good
56%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
11%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 9 reviews

Hermit's Cell

A powerful testimony to the power of religious conviction in the history of the island: the ancient, now abandoned, ruins of a stone cell built by a devout hermit.

7. Iona Nunnery

PA78 6SL Scotland http://www.welcometoiona.com
Excellent
37%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 97 reviews

Iona Nunnery

Reviewed By susanaI8146OV - Dundee, United Kingdom

En route to the Iona Abbey you come to the Nunnery which is very interesting to see and although a ruin it is very picturesque

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