Iona

Iona is the small island off the south-west tip of Mull where St Columba landed from Ireland in AD 563 and founded the monastery that carried Christianity through Scotland; early Irish and Scottish kings lie buried beside the abbey. The National Trust for Scotland has cared for most of the island's land since 1979, including the machair and the white shell-sand beaches of the north end and west coast, and since 2023 its Maol Farm has combined traditional farming with space for wildlife, so listen for corncrakes in spring and summer. Iona Abbey, the nunnery and the Heritage Centre are run by others and charged separately. From the pier, walks lead a mile to Dun I, the island's highest point, and 2 1/2 miles over rough, boggy ground to Columba's Bay. Reviewers call it peaceful and walkable, with two miles of road, beautiful beaches and a few good cafes, and say a night's stay after the last ferry is the way to feel it. Tips from visitors: cross as a foot passenger from Fionnphort, keep dogs on leads around cattle, and the 18-hole golf course on the machair is free.