Above: View of Port-na-Churraich, where St. Colcumcille landed his coracle

St. Columcille and his companions landed at Iona in 563 at the little bay of Port-na-Churraich, the ‘ Bay of the Coracle,’ on the southern shore of the island. Above the bay on a hill is the cairn, that has been known since his time as the ‘ Carn-cul-ri-Erin,’ ‘ The Cairn of the Back turned to Ireland,’ which marks the spot where the exile found that Ireland was no longer in sight, and where he could work and pray without being tempted to return to his own dearly-loved country.

Below: Picture of a coracle at the coast

The story of his voyage tells that he landed first at Oronsay, but when he found that Ireland was visible from one of the hills on the island, he went onward to Iona for he could not endure to live away from kin and yet within sight of his Fatherland. He established his church on the eastern slope of the island, and here trained his followers and disciples to become the Soldiers of Christ. His monks were taught by him to observe Obedience, Celibacy, Caution and Reason in Speech, Humility, Hospitality, and Kindness to Animals.

Above: Map of the Caledonian Canal

The two years after his landing were spent in establishing his community, and in preparation for his mission to the neighboring islands and the mainland of Scotland. He set out in the year 565 on a long journey through ‘ The Great Glen of Alba,’ the series of lakes and glens that are now united by the Caledonian Canal, in order to preach the gospel to the Northern Picts.