One of Scotland's most historic and venerated sites, lona Abbey is a celebrated Christian centre and the burial place of early Scottish kings.

The Abbey and Nunnery grounds house one of the most comprehensive collections of Christian carved stones in Scotland, ranging in age from 600AD to the 1600s.

In AD 563 Columba and his twelve disciples landed at Port na Curaich (Harbour of the Coracle) to build a monastery and establish a school of learning, having travelled in a hide-covered craft from Ireland. They introduced a faith which was to spread far beyond Mull and indeed Scotland itself.

Iona, only 3 miles (4.8 km) from north to south and 1½ miles (2.4 km) east to west is steeped in history

For centuries people have been visiting Iona. This picture (below) from an early 20th century postcard shows a party landing on the slipway. Modern visitors use the ferry run by Caledonian MacBrayne which leaves from Fionnphort on Mull.

Note that cars are not permitted on Iona.