Iona - Capital Collections

Category

Library Item

Item no

3740

Title

Iona

Artist / maker

Keith, Thomas

Date

1856

Type

Paper negative

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The small Hebridean island of Iona is situated roughly a mile off the south-west tip of the Isle of Mull. The island has played a pivotal role in the development of Scottish Christianity. A monastery was established here in 563 AD by St Columba, or Colm Cille, an Irish monk. The Islands political and religious influence grew over roughly two centuries until a series of Viking raids in the late 8th and early 9th centuries led to the dissolution of Iona's religious community by the mid 9th century. A nunnery and Benedictine Abbey were founded here at the start of the 13th century but were abandoned after the Reformation. In 1938 the Iona Community was founded by the Rev. George Macleod, and work was begun restoring the Abbey. The island now attracts large numbers of visitors, including many who come to stay in the Iona Community's residential centres.

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