This was it - the destination we had been waiting for - the Isle of Iona.  Over 1400 years ago, St. Columba came across the Irish Sea and began his task of converting the Picts to Christianity, and it started on the desolate Isle of Iona.  As we took the ferry across to the Isle of Iona, it was easy to imagine how difficult it would have been to accomplish this.  Iona is a stark, barren island (five miles long by one mile long) with few (if any) trees on it.  Yet, Columba was able to start a thriving abbey here; one that would become the burial place of many of Scotland's kings!  The original abbey had been destroyed centuries ago by invading Vikings and its replacement had fallen to neglect until about 100 years ago.  At that time, the Duke of Argyll rebuilt it as a place of retreat for anyone, regardless of faith - a remarkable concept in a less-than-tolerant age.

Sitting in the renovated abbey, you could feel the past centuries literally come alive as the church echoed with music and voices.  After a tour of the abbey and grounds and some free time to explore on our own, we set off on a hike across the island for a picnic lunch.  As the island is only one mile across, we quickly made our way to the western shore, looking out across the North Atlantic.  You really couldn't have asked for a more memorable and picturesque place to have a picnic.  The waters around Iona look like they belonged in the Caribbean, with crystal clear, azure waters that just shimmered in the sunlight. 

After lunch, we everyone was free to go off on their own.  Ralph and Rita headed back to town and met some of the locals and other visitors.  Ashley, Vickey, and James decided to climb the highest mountain on the island, Kelley and Caitlin spent their afternoon working their way over the nooks and rocks and climbed one of the highest hills on the island for a breathtaking (and moving view of the whole area), and Jonathan, Linda, Anna, Denise, Nicole, Heather, and Ty made their way south to Columba Bay (after several misdirections and "side trips").  In the end, though, our two fearless Eagle Scouts successfully found the way to the Bay!

By late afternoon, many of us (i.e. the kids!) were pretty much wiped out, so they headed back to the hotel with Jonathan while Linda, Anna, Ralph, and Rita stayed behind for a service commemorating St. Columba's arrival on Iona, complete with a boat that had been rowed from Ireland like St. Columba had.  An exhausting day, but one for the memories.