Iona Beaches
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The Bay at the Back of the Ocean |
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From the ferry, turn left and follow the
shore road which eventually bears right up the hill.
This area is a great place to spot the Corncrakes which
nest in the iris beds. At the end of the road go through
the gate, over the machair and Camus Cuil an t-Saimh
stretches as far as the eye can see. The English
translation is Bay at the Back of the Ocean. |
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Martyr's Bay |
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From the ferry turn left, go
past the cafe and you will
reach Martyr's Bay or
Port nam Mairtear. The
granite memorial is not in
memory of the 68 monks
killed here by Vikings in
806AD, but of the two dozen
men lost in the First and
Second World Wars. This is a
beautiful beach with
stunning views over to Mull
and to Erraid, once the
summer home of Robert Louis
Stevenson.
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St. Columba's Bay |
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To make the pilgrimage to St. Columba's
Bay follow the directions to Camas Cuil an t-Saimh, go
along the machair heading south and follow the path that
goes over the hill. Walk along the path on the side of
the lochan keeping it to the right and this will bring
you down to the bay where St. Columba landed in his
coracle in 563AD. This is a fabulous beach with pebbles
rather than sand but there is a super grassy area for
sunbathing and picnics. |
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Traigh Ban |
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From the ferry terminal,
turn right and walk through the
Nunnery
and past the Abbey continuing along
the road until you reach the
glistening white shell sand
beach of Traigh Ban, one of
the loveliest beaches on the
island. The full name of the
beach is Traigh Ban Nam Monach which is Gaelic for
'white strand of the monks'.
The north of the island is
very quiet so take time out
to enjoy this beautiful
landscape. |
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Traigh an t-Suidhe |
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Follow the directions to Traigh Ban and
continue to walk west, past the north headland, staying
on the machair, to the beautiful white sands of Traigh
an t-Suidhe (Beach of the Seat). The land owned by the
Iona Hostel at Lagandorain stretches down to this
stunning, secluded beach. Even on a summers day there
are few people about and it would be easy to pretend
this is your own private beach! |
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Tràigh Mhòr |
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At the jetty on Iona turn left and walk
along the road by Martyrs Bay. On the shore you can see
a glacial erratic boulder sitting on top of Torridonian
sandstone. It was transported by ice across the Sound of
Iona. The Torridonian sandstone beds can be seen to be
almost vertical at this locality. Walk further along the
road and where it turns right then turn off onto the
sandy beach at Traigh Mhor. For more information on this
geological walk
click here to see the
informative Mull Historical and Archaeological website. |
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