A More Relaxed Day

After a hearty breakfast we attended a Communion Service at the Abbey (see my rant below).

In the afternoon we walked to the north of the island (photos below). This was just beautiful and we met some lambs, sheep and cows.

In the evening we went to a spoken Evensong at Bishop’s House. This was a Methodist service in a very small chapel. Later Cathy went to a Meditation Service at the Abbey. She says it was lovely and not like the morning Communion Service.

Full Scottish Breakfast

We had the full Scottish breakfast cooked by our host Richard.

  • Porridge with yoghurt and fruit
  • Poached eggs, bacon, tomato, sausage, blood pudding (I only had this once, but Cathy loves it), haggis (Cathy tried this once), mushrooms and potato scone.
  • Toast with excellent marmalade.
  • Lashings of coffee and tea.

We did not need to eat for the rest of the day. Just as well because without a booking you can’t get into either of the restaurants on the island and we had not booked for today. We had to make do with an apple, some crackers and leftover hummus.

Communion Service at the Abbey

Spoiler alert: I’m about to rant.

We went to a Communion Service at the Abbey at 10:30 am. The Iona Community is very ecumenical. I enjoyed the first half. It was a nice modern service with good words and sentiments BUT then it turned into an American evangelical musical. The minister who now took over had a lapel microphone and moved up and down the church singing and gesturing (like those evangelical ministers on American TV).

It felt wrong and unsettling. I found the certainty off-putting. No mystery. No humility. Only Jesus.

For communion the minister sang what I call ‘The Table Song’. It was the same refrain over and over, each time bringing a new thing to the table. She encouraged the congregation to shout out the next thing to add to the table. It went on for a long time.

At the end people left the church clapping (some had drums and maracas - I think they were the volunteers) singing: “I’m marching for God.” The majority seemed to be right into it.

I guess this is the price you pay for a truly ecumenical church that accepts all faiths equally. Cathy and I were in the minority.

<end of rant>

In the afternoon we walked to the north of the island (photos below). This was just beautiful and we met some lambs, sheep and cows.

In the evening we went to a spoken Evensong at Bishop’s House. This was a Methodist service in a very small chapel. Later Cathy went to a Meditation Service at the Abbey. She says it was lovely and not like the morning Communion Service.

Highlights Slideshow

Scenes from the North of Iona

On the way to the north of Iona.

That high ground is at the north end of Iona.

Fields of Meadow Buttercups.

Sheep may safely graze

I bought myself an Iona Tweed Bunnet (Scottish English for flat cap) made from the wool of Iona’s sheep. It has a Basalt Diamond Twill.

We saw sheep rubbing themselves against fences and posts. The result is not pretty - but I guess the sheep find some relief.

Possible future as a contortionist.

A laid back sheep with yellow earrings.

There are cows on Iona as well. The calf was very cute.

A 360-view of the north end of Iona.

That’s a white sand beach.

More serenity.

More buttercups.

View on an evening walk.

Bird song on Iona

There was a constant sound of birds on Iona, including an elusive cuckoo. The resonance of the cuckoo’s call meant it sounded like it was coming from all around you.

This recording was made around 10:00 pm.

A peaceful evening.

Loop this video to spend a bit of relaxing time listening to the gentle lapping of the waves.

Filmed around 9:00 pm.

Stay tuned for more adventures on our European Odyssey!