Things you didn't know about... the Isle of Iona

Macbeth is buried on the Isle of Iona

As is Duncan, his first royal victim, whom Macbeth killed in battle near Elgin. Because of its sacred history, the Isle of Iona is the reputed burial ground for 60 Scottish kings. There is no trace left of any grave markings due to erosion of the marker stones.

There was once a marble quarry on the Isle of Iona

A tiny seam of a lovely green and white marble was once mined here—some of it is used in the Chapel of St Andrew in Westminster Cathedral. The seam is now exhausted, but the quarry is open to visitors.

There are few cars on the Isle of Iona

Visitors cannot take their motors to the island, and there are not many cars here anyway. Bikes can be hired at the ferry ports.

The oldest street in Europe is on the Isle of Iona

The Avenue of the Dead runs in front of the monastery ruins. It was there to remind the monks of their mortality, as it was used to transport the dead to the island's burial grounds.

The Isle of Iona, final resting-place for John Smith

John Smith, former leader of the Labour party, is buried on the Isle of Iona.

The long history of religious devotion is alive and well on the Isle of Iona

St Columba had already established 35 monasteries in Ireland before his unexplained exile to the Isle of Iona. In his wake came many religious communities, and today there is still an ecumenical Christian Order based on the Isle of Iona.

Come and see Columba's tears...

It's said that pilgrims to the Isle of Iona should go to the beach in Columba's Bay and pick up two stones. One—symbolising the past—is cast into the sea, and the other—the future—is kept as a reminder of their visit to the Isle of Iona. The pink/green rocks here are known as Columba's tears because of his sadness at leaving Ireland.