Visiting the Isles of Iona and Staffa

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I had heard of the Isle of Iona and its powers of rejuvenation before I went to Scotland. It’s a deeply spiritual and sacred place and there is a strong sense of peace when you arrive. It’s very quiet: even with the visitors arriving, the sounds of them seem to be swallowed up by the island.

When I visited the weather was beautiful. The sun poured from the sky and lit up the water a sparkling turquoise-blue. It looked like no sea I had ever seen before and the light dancing on the waves made it feel… well, sacred.

Iona is around 1.5 miles wide and 3 miles long; it doesn’t take long to walk round. It also has a population of around 120 people who live there, and even with boats from the Isle of Mull or the mainland, it doesn’t take long to find your own patch of island: a spot of beach where you can feel like you’re the only person in the world.

I was looking for ‘The Bay at the Back of the Ocean’ when I came across the most beautiful stretch of beach. I immediately waded out into the water, it was icy cold and made my toes tingle. I stayed there for a little while, letting the tingles turn into warmth as I adjusted to the temperature. It is true what they say: the crystal clear waters of Iona really do leave you feeling restored.

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I hadn’t heard of Staffa before I arrived on Mull and everyone told me I had to go there. I’m so glad I did as it added a bit of adventure to my peaceful time on Iona.

The boat ride from Iona to Staffa is around twenty minutes (but you can also depart from Mull or Oban) and on the approach the crew tell you all about Staffa and the surrounding islands. You will see Fingal’s Cave with its basalt columns (like the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland) and its dark, mysterious mouth. Puffins also nest on Staffa from spring up until early August (unfortunately I missed them by about a week when I went!)

You get off the boat and walk across the basalt columns round to the entrance of the cave (where some brave souls can swim). You can also walk up to the top of Staffa so you stand right over the mouth of the cave. The colours of Staff are incredibly striking: the dark inky-blue sea, the greens and purples of the grass and heather, as well as the black hexagonal rocks. It’s wonderful to see.

There isn’t anything on Staffa (facilities-wise), so be sure to take water to drink but you can leave heavy bags on the boat. There are also some steep and narrow stairs to climb to get to the top.

When you return to Iona, I recommend Afternoon Tea at the Argyll Hotel for a cuppa with a gorgeous, serene and unforgettable view.

Have you been to Iona or Staffa? What were your memories of them?