It's hard to imagine the peace of Iona Abbey without actually visiting to experience it for yourself.
This is where St Columba established his first Celtic church, and it remains a spiritually important site for people of many faiths and backgrounds. The tranquillity of the cloisters alone is worth the modest entrance fee, and visitors will also enjoy the spectacular views across the Sound of Iona from the front of the present-day Abbey building.
On the road to the Abbey from the ferry pier is a small collection of shops known as the St Columba Steadings. A highlight that's well worth your time is Aosdàna, a high-end jewellery shop and silversmith's, where Mhairi Killin merges old and new to create pieces inspired by both the landscape and the Celtic history of this extraordinary island. This 120-year-old family business is a great example of tradition combined with a modern twist to ensure its continued success. The quality of the pieces is a testament to this long history of skill and creativity.