The Heights of Iona

We decided to climb Dùn I, the highest point on Iona. It has an elevation of around 100 metres and offers some spectacular panoramic views.

Somewhere near the summit is a spring that according to legend is a Fountain of Youth. St Columba may have blessed it. Unfortunately we did not find it. 😥

In the afternoon the weather set in. We visited the Heritage Centre and had a hot beverage at the Rookery Café. We then headed back to Adoran House to look through the many books in the conservatory.

In the evening we had a very tasty dinner at the St Columba Hotel. Lamb Tagine and Persian Pavola Cake. I also tried a local beer called Fraøch.

This was our last full day on Iona. Tomorrow we are heading to Edinburgh — another long day of travelling.

Highlights Slideshow

This greeted us every morning. It was on the hall table outside our room.

Dùn I

It’s actually higher than it looks.

It’s quite steep.

The views are worth the effort.

The weather started to set in.

The rock formations on the Isle of Iona are primarily composed of ancient Lewisian gneiss, some of the oldest rocks in Europe, dating back around 2.8 billion years.

It was very windy at the summit.

Spectacular views.

Rookery Café & Heritage Centre

On the way back we stopped for a hot beverage at the Rookery Café and then spent an interesting time browsing the exhibition in the Heritage Centre.

The exhibition consists of panels, photographs, objects of interest, together with information about some notable island families and events.

We sat outside in a beautiful garden.

The rain started up again as we had our tea and coffee.

Fraøch Heather Ale at St Columba Hotel

We ended the day with a meal at the St Columba Hotel.

I had a Lamb Tagine followed by very tasty Persian Pavlova Cake (a sort of deconstructed desert) that we shared.

I also tried a local beer.

From the bottle:

Brewed in Scotland for 4,000 years, Heather Ale is the oldest style of ale still made in the world.

Brewed to a 16th-century recipe with malted barley, sweet gale and heather flowers, Fraøch has a floral, peaty aroma, full malt body and spicy herbal flavour.

“It’s Nice. It’s Different. It’s Unusual.”

I liked it.

Stay tuned for more adventures on our European Odyssey!