Holidaying on the Islands of Mull and Iona - Part 2

Iona was stunning and memorable, another place to add to my 'visit without kids' list. When we set off, the weather was highly questionable and we layered up to the extreme. This is the smallest Calmac ferry I've been on yet. I'm 36, but my heart still skips a beat when l see a Calmac ferry. They take me to some of the most beautiful sights in the world and always signify the start of an adventure. 

First view of Iona Abbey. The weather still looked suspect at this stage. 

When we disembarked, this is one of the first things we saw. There can't be many gardens that have as beautiful an outlook as this. 

This beach is right beside the ferry and looks back to Mull.  We struggled to get the kids away from here. We tried explaining about an even more amazing beach at the top of the island. mostly in vain. Kids logic, which maybe we should try using once in a while, 'why do we need to move to another beach, this one is perfect". 

Helping one of the locals move his boat.

It's almost like he knew an obsessed photographer would be visiting. Love the colour palette here. The boat blends in seamlessly with its surroundings. 

This little gift shop is absolutely worth a visit, but bring money, lots of money. Unfortunately l had left my wallet behind in the van. There were beautiful Hebridean knits, Harris tweed goods and jewellery made using Scottish heather. 

We made our way to Iona Abbey, one of the oldest and most significant christian sites in Europe. Many Scottish Kings are alleged to have been buried here. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see the inside of the Abbey. The 5yr old and 2yr old just weren't feeling it and we didn't want to ruin the peaceful ambience for everyone else, especially those making a pilgrimage. 

Instead we made do with ice-creams and more time on the beach. We also picked up a couple of home-made pineapple and coconut muffins for later in the day. 

Yup. That's my kid in a snowsuit. It wasn't as warm as it looks but it certainly wasn't cold enough to be wearing a snowsuit by this point in the day.

All too soon, it was time to head back. I'd love to come back and stay. The island itself is only 1.5 miles wide by 3miles long but we still didn't even get to see a quarter of it.  Leave me on the island with my camera and some more coconut muffins and I'd be in heaven.