Ferries, Isles, Puffins, and Sunshine

Today was our tour of the Inner Hebride Isles of Mull, Iona, and Staffa. Scotland has 790 outlying islands. They are normally broken into four groups. The Shetland Isles are to the far north; in fact they are on the same latitude as Oslo, Norway. The Orkney Isles are just north of the mainland of Scotland. Then you have the Inner and Outer Hebrides. The Inner Hebrides are closer to Scotland's West Coast and the Outer are farther away. 

We left the mainland from the village of Oban on a large ferry and headed for the first Isle of Mull. We then got off the ferry and drove the length of Mull (about 30 miles). 

This lighthouse is from the mainland of Scotland near Oban as we departed.

The drive through Mull was pretty cloudy and rainy but they scenery was still beautiful.

There were lots of stone bridges and walls surrounding the fields of sheep and cattle.

We even found a field that contained this beauty! He even posed for a picture.

We then parked our car for our overnight excursion and hopped on a passenger ferry. To take us 1 mile across the water to the Isle of Iona.

The water was crystal clear and as we started across to Iona the sky cleared and the sun came out. 

The Isle of Iona is 1 mile across by 3 miles long and currently has a resident population of 135. It even has a primary school with a student population of 22. The high school students go to school on the mainland. They leave Monday on the 6:15 AM ferry and return Friday evening. They board in town during the week. 

Iona is an extremely important part of both Scottish history as well as Christian history. In 500 AD St. Columba landed on Iona and he along with 12 followers set up a monastery on the island. It is from here that they set about converting most of pagan Scotland and Britain to the Christian faith.  In fact it became a place for the "Burial of Scottish Kings." This included  the real Macbeth and Duncan I. 

The Cemetery of the Kings

Iona Abbey is thought to be one of the best preserved Abbeys from the middle ages in Scotland. 

Once we made it to Iona we then got on board another boat to head out to our final destination of the Isle of Staffa. This Isle is uninhabited and is a total of 82 acres in size. The island gets its name from the Old Norse word which means pillar. This island is formed of several columns of basalt that are six sided and are similar to those on the Giant's Causeway on the Northern Ireland Coast. 

You can see the pillars surrounding the island.

 

The entryway is called Fingal's Cave. It is so named after an epic hero in a poem from the 18th century by James MacPherson. 

The other thing this island is known for during this time of year are these cute little Puffins. 

You had to sit really quietly and still, but then when they warmed up to you they just walked all around.

It reminded me of our "hike" five years ago on Skellig's Island when we saw so many of these cute little guys.

It was a blessed day visiting these islands! The sun came out and they sky and water was beautiful!

Now we get to spend the rest of the night on this quiet and cute little Isle of Iona listening to absolutely nothing but the sound of the water, sheep, and the peace and quiet. 

Oh, and maybe finishing up this little baby before we leave as well! Island Life is the best!