3-039-095 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Land of Lorne: Iona, 1871. '"Iona," a name of classical sound and look, is but Gaelic, from "I," or " Hy," an island, and a word meaning sacred; the place is sometimes called " I-colm-kil," the Isle of Columb's Mansion. The island is three miles long and one mile broad. It is separated by a very narrow strait from the precipitous headland, with red granite rocks, terminating the Ross of Mull, as the southwest promontory of Mull is named. It commands a magnificent view of all the Inner Hebrides, from Tyree and Coll as far as the mountains of Skye to the north and Jura and Islay to the south. But it was not the wish of St. Columba to enjoy an unbounded prospect. He chose Iona for his residence because it was the first shore he reached where Ireland was out of sight. For he loved his native Donegal but too dearly, and feared he might be tempted to return. The present inhabitants are a few small farmers and cottagers...Murray's Handbook warns us, however, that there is no inn'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.