Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(around the far side of the abbey) along with many other fine examples of early Christian
and medieval
carved stones
.
Continue past the abbey and look for a footpath on the left signposted
Dun I
(dun-ee).
An easy walk of about 15 to 20 minutes leads to the highest point on Iona, with fantastic
views in all directions.
Boat Trips
Alternative Boat Hire
(
01681-700537;
www.boattripsiona.com
;
Mon-Thu Apr-Oct)
Offers cruises in a tra-
ditional wooden sailing boat for fishing, birdwatching, picnicking or just drifting along
admiring the scenery. Three-hour afternoon trips cost £20/9 per adult/child; on Wednesday
there's a full day cruise (10am to 5pm, £40/18). Booking essential.
BOAT TOUR
MV Iolaire
(
01681-700358;
www.staffatrips.co.uk
)
Three-hour boat trips to Staffa (adult/child £25/
10), departing Iona pier at 9.45am and 1.45pm, and from Fionnphort at 10am and 2pm,
with one hour ashore on Staffa.
ISLAND TOUR
MV Volante
(
01681-700362;
www.volanteiona.com
;
Jun-Oct)
Four-hour sea-angling trips (£50
per person including tackle and bait), as well as 1½-hour round-the-island wildlife cruises
(adult/child £15/8) and 3½-hour whale-watching trips (per person £40).
WILDLIFE & FISHING TOURS
ISLE OF STAFFA
Felix Mendelssohn, who visited the uninhabited island of Staffa in 1829, was inspired to compose his
Hebrides
Overture
after hearing waves echoing in the impressive and cathedral-like
Fingal's Cave
. The cave walls and sur-
rounding cliffs are composed of vertical, hexagonal basalt columns that look like pillars (Staffa is Norse for 'Pillar
Island'). You can land on the island and walk into the cave via a causeway. Nearby
Boat Cave
can be seen from the
causeway, but you can't reach it on foot. Staffa also has a sizable puffin colony, north of the landing place.
Northwest of Staffa lies a chain of uninhabited islands called the
Treshnish Isles
. The two main islands are the
curiously shaped
Dutchman's Cap
and
Lunga
. You can land on Lunga, walk to the top of the hill and visit the
shag, puffin and guillemot colonies on the west coast at
Harp Rock
.
