Scotland - Day 3

[kmusser]

We awake surrounded by fog and sheep for a rather otherworldly atmosphere. Perhaps appropriate as today we visit Iona (Iona links).

Part of this trip was a pilgrimage for me to this little island. Though now very isolated Iona was (and to some extent still is) a major center of Celtic Christianity, one of the few places in Europe to preserve and value knowledge during the Dark Ages, and one of the last strongholds of the Druids. Iona provided the inspiration for our In The Dark Times LARP.

Anyway, the ferry ride over is very short. From the boat we get a distant view of Staffa - not to be visited this trip, perhaps another time. We set off to hike to the south end of Iona, which proves to be a more difficult hike than anticipated. Partway we do get to enjoy the view of the Bay at the Back of the Ocean. We lose the trail for a bit but eventually find it again and make it far enough to see the beach where St. Columba supposedly first landed where we stop to have the lunch we brought with us. I originally had also hoped to hike up the Dùn which is the highest point of the island but the first hike wore us out. We did do the tour of the abbey which included rather impressive Celtic crosses from St. Columba's day and the modern restoration of the medieval era abbey. For a place with so much religious history I didn't feel much spiritual energy which I found suprising, still a very neat place to visit.

After the abbey tour it's time to head back to the mainland, so it's back to Mull and back through the stunning scenery which hasn't lessened any from the first time through. We get to the other side a little early so we take a quick peek at Duart castle before we ferry over to Oban.

From Oban we head north along the coast following Loch Leven - the scenery continues to be rather impressive. We get a brief view of the Falls of Lora as we cross over them. We attempt to stop at a recommended restaurant in Port Appin, but it is obviously recommended by many people as the place is mobbed and they have no room for us :-( The minor detour does give us a nice view of Castle Stalker though (which many of you may know better as Castle Aaaaarrrrrrggghhh). We stop for the night shortly thereafter near the little town of Kentallen.