Ioan - St Columba's Holy Isle

Part 1 - The journey - there and back

Hours before daybreak on 24th April 2008, Barbara and Rod set forth northwards in their car. The mission was to fulfil promises made (to each other) to go on pilgrimage to Iona. The isle is said to be the cradle of Celtic (Scottish) Christianity. They had learned something about the island, which was in extent rather insignificant (being but 1 mile wide and 3 miles long) off the Scottish Isle of Mull. Their interest was stimulated by a previous visit to the Holy island of Lindisfarne, whereat missionary monks had established a community from Iona, led by St Aidan.

They took the journey in stages, stopping overnight at Carlisle and Oban on the forward journey, and at Tarbet, (Loch Lomond) and Knutsford on the return. The planning was perfect and the whole mission a triumph, for all the connexions - car - ferries - coaches and accommodation fell neatly into place without a hitch.

Brewing Up

After about 200 miles they detoured to the Lake District, seeing Windermere and Ullswater. At Bassenthwaite they discovered in a woodside clearing, three huge tractor tyres. These were perfect for supports for the ‘brew-up’ stove and seats for the picnic. At Keswick and Derwentwater B and R visited Friar’s Crag, a notable beauty-spot, where a long-term friend who had just died was to have her ashes scattered. Onwards to Carlisle, where they observed the magnificently preserved and fortified castle, walked the west walls, noted the millennium footbridge and went to Evensong - with the choir consisting entirely of lay ministers - at the Cathedral.

The next day they crossed the border into Scotland, getting misdirected on the urban motorway so that they drove painfully through central Glasgow and stopped for refreshment outside a cemetery near Faslane before getting to Oban in the late afternoon. To their delight there was a Ceilidh in town, an annual charity event run by the local radio station presenters. They were overwhelmed by the welcome given to them and they danced to the Oban High School Pipe Band, to Scottish and Ballroom style (sometimes both to the same tunes). R espied an accordion in a local shop and bought it after trying it out. He had needed one since giving away a previous instrument to an old man who wanted it to entertain fellow inmates of an old people’s home.

The following morning B and R took the Caledonian McBrayne ferry to Mull, boarded the coach for the 36 mile journey to the further end, and then caught the little ferry on to the beautiful and tranquil isle of Iona. Events and activities here will be described in part 2 of this article, in the next issue. Three days were spent here and the return journey covered a trip to Loch Lomond.

At Tarbet, in Loch Lomond country B and R strolled by the lovely water and mused over the relevant tune - ‘By yon bonny banks....’ R playing it on his mouth organ. The southernmost Munro, cloud-capped Ben Lomond loomed in the distance. This was the area in bygone days when the peoples of the area - Picts, Scots and Brythons used to meet and resolve territorial and other disputes.

Reluctantly leaving Scotland behind they journeyed southwards, stopping with a friend, an author, in Knutsford. Ascension Day was spent enjoying the vibrant city of Manchester. The Rylands Library was most interesting and informative and the city centre was bustling and cheerful. There was the opportunity to use the excellent tram service to get in and out of the urban area. At mid-day the Eucharist was celebrated at St Ann’s Church, using BCP and the priest’s address was profoundly moving.

A quick detour was made to Lord Sherborne’s Grandstand with its extensive deer coursing track, on the homeward journey. Nine days in all and a perfect holiday, with the pilgrimage promise fulfilled.

Part II - Iona, St Columba’s Holy Isle will be described in the next issue.

Rod Dawson