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Islands · Scottish Islands

Iona

Also known as: Í Cholm Cille, Ì Chaluim Chille

Free admission🐾 Dog-friendly

Iona — island off the west coast of Scotland, UK.

Iona, islands in Scottish Islands

Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence

Plan your visit

Typical visit
4 h–12 h
  • Free entry
  • Dog-friendly

Getting there & planning your visit

Iona is located in the Scottish Highlands, with the postcode PA76 6SP. Entry to the island is free. There is no nearest railway station specified, and it may be remote.

Directions on Google Maps →

About

Iona is a island in the United Kingdom. It covers approximately 877 km². Recent population estimates put it at around 177 people. Part of Inner Hebrides. Wikidata describes it as: "island off the west coast of Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 56.3300°, -6.4100°.

Photo gallery

From the Wikipedia article

Iona is an island in the Inner Hebrides, off the Ross of Mull on the western coast of Scotland. It is mainly known for Iona Abbey, though there are other buildings on the island. Iona Abbey was a centre of Gaelic monasticism for three centuries and is today known for its relative tranquility and natural environment. It is a tourist destination and a place for spiritual retreats. Its modern Scottish Gaelic name means "Iona of (Saint) Columba" (formerly anglicised as "Icolmkill"). Iona's resident population is about 180. In March 1980, the Hugh Fraser Foundation donated much of the main island (and its off-lying islands) to the current owner, the National Trust for Scotland. The abbey and some church buildings are owned by the Iona Cathedral Trust. One publication, describing the religious significance of the island, says that the island is "known as the birthplace of Celtic Christianity in Scotland,” and notes that “St Columba came here in the year 563 to establish the Abbey, which still stands".

Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.

Background

Visiting

Conde Nast Traveller recommends the island for its "peaceful atmosphere ... a popular place for spiritual retreats" but also recommends the "sandy beaches, cliffs, rocks, fields and bogs ... "wildflowers and birds such as the rare corncrake and puffins" as well as the "abundance of sea life". The Iona Council advises visitors that they can find a campsite (at Cnoc Oran), a hostel (at Lagandorain), family run bed and breakfasts and two hotels on the island in addition to several self-catering houses. The agency also mentions that distances are short, with the Abbey a mere 10 minutes walk from the pier. Tourists can rent bikes or use the local taxi.

Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Coordinates
56.3300, -6.4100
Postcode
PA76 6SP
Parliamentary constituency
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Population
177

Sources

Featured in these 3 guides

Other places nearby

Nearby

Corncrakes on Iona - geograph.org.uk - 4762243📷 5

Campsites · Scottish Islands

Iona Campsite

Iona Campsite — a campsite in scotland highlands.

Freeionacampsite.co.uk
Cnoc nam Bradain - geograph.org.uk - 4762263📷 5

Mountains & hills · Scottish Islands

Cnoc Urrais

Cnoc Urrais — mountain in scotland highlands. Elevation: 63 m.

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Spouting cave from Camus cul an Taibh - geograph.org.uk - 350033📷 3

Beaches · Scottish Islands

Camas Cùil an t-Saimh

Camas Cùil an t-Saimh is a beach in the United Kingdom.

Free🐕👶
Following the Iona west coast - geograph.org.uk - 5794127📷 3

Forts · Scottish Islands

Stone Fort

Stone Fort — a other in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

👶
Maclean's Cross - geograph.org.uk - 742929📷 3

Museums · Scottish Islands

Iona Heritage Centre

Iona Heritage Centre — a museum in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free👶ionaheritage.co.uk
Iona Nunnery📷 3

Abbeys & priories · Scottish Islands

Iona Nunnery

Iona Nunnery — abbey in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.

👶

Where to eat & stay near Iona

Places to stay

Corncrakes on Iona - geograph.org.uk - 4762243📷 5

Campsites · Scottish Islands

Iona Campsite

Iona Campsite — a campsite in scotland highlands.

Freeionacampsite.co.uk
Iona Abbey - geograph.org.uk - 2604904📷 5

Hostels · Scottish Islands

The MacLeod Centre

The MacLeod Centre — a hostel in scotland highlands.

Track towards Tràigh Bhàn - geograph.org.uk - 8129078📷 5

Hostels · Scottish Islands

Iona Hostel

Iona Hostel — a hostel in scotland highlands.

Roadside flags on the Ross of Mull - geograph.org.uk - 6174537📷 5

Campsites · Scottish Islands

Fidden Farm

Fidden Farm — a campsite in scotland highlands.

fiddenfarm.co.uk
Uisken Bay - geograph.org.uk - 3713428📷 5

Campsites · Scottish Islands

Basic Site

Basic Site — a campsite in scotland highlands.

WWII Memorial on Ulva - geograph.org.uk - 6178130📷 5

Hostels · Central Scotland

Ulva Hostel

Ulva Hostel — a hostel in scotland highlands.

ulvahostel.co.uk

Places to eat & drink

Telephone box and money box on Ulva - geograph.org.uk - 6179022📷 5

Restaurants · Central Scotland

The Boathouse

The Boathouse — a restaurant in scotland highlands.

theboathouseulva.co.uk

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Bac Beag

Bac Beag — Scottish island, part of the Treshnish Isles in the Inner Hebrides.

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Bac Mòr

Bac Mòr — island in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK, one of the Treshnish Isles.

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BaleshareFlagship📷 3

Islands · Scottish Islands

Baleshare

Baleshare — flat tidal island in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK.

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BarraFlagship📷 5

Islands · Scottish Islands

Barra

Barra — island in Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK.

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Iona?
Iona is in the Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom (postcode PA76 6SP).
What is Iona?
Iona — island off the west coast of Scotland, UK.
How do I get to Iona?
Drivers can use postcode PA76 6SP.
Is Iona free to visit?
Yes, Iona is free to enter.
How do I get to Iona?
Drivers can navigate to postcode PA76 6SP. It sits within the Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber parliamentary constituency.