Iona South West

Iona I Chalium Cille - The Isle of Columcille - St. Columba The sacred Isle of Iona is well described in many publications, these 2 walks allow you to experience the history, wildlife and scenery of one of the world's most sacred places. Click on the images to enlarge Route Details OS 341 Iona and Bunessan. Visitors are not allowed to take their vehicles onto Iona. Cyclists are welcome and there are many tracks ideal for both cycling and walking. Take a 2 minute walk from Seaview onto the Fionnphort - Iona ferry which runs frequently across the Sound of Iona. Stout walking shoes and warm clothing required on windier days.
The West & South Walk - Machair, Columba's Bay & Marble Quarry 3 hours - rugged walking in parts
As you leave the ferry, turn left and follow the road past Martyrs Bay and Traigh Mor. In summer listen out for the monotonous cry of the corncrake in the iris beds between the shore and the road. Walk up the hill for ¾ of a mile until you come to a gate. Continue through the gate and in front of you is a magnificent stretch of machair (short grass on sand.)
This forms the basis of the informal Iona Golf Course which looks onto one of the finest beach views anywhere with the Camus Cuil an Tabibh (Bay at the back of the Ocean) forming the backdrop.
Turning south on a breezy day with a westerly atlantic swell you will see a fountain of spray rising above the cliffs. This is a natural occurance called "The Spouting Cave." Now follow the track due south over the hillock keeping the loch on your right and descend down to Port na Curaich (Port of the Coracle) known as St Columba's Bay. It is said that, St Columba landed his coracle here in 563AD. There are views from here to Soa Island (Sheep Island) and Eilean Musimal (Mouse Island). There is also Eilean na h-Aon Chaorach known locally as "one sheep island," which was worked by the innkeeper at Iona cottage. The cottage is still situated at the pierhead.
On leaving Columba's Bay travel towards the eastern shore until you find a hollow with 2 ruined cottages. In a deep gully behind the cottages on the shore you will see the remains of the Iona Marble Quarry, closed shortly after the 1st World War. You can look around here for pieces of stone with green marble in it. Return westwards to the path at the loch and retrace your steps to the pier.
Wildlife Watch Dolphins, seals, otters, cormorant, shag, eider, buzzard, ring plover, lapwing, black backed and herring gulls, rock dove, jackdaw, starlings, linnet, twite, yellowhammer, terns, grey plover, sanderling and godwits. MAP OS EXPLORER 373 Iona,Staffa and The Ross of Mull
Last amended 27/06/2010