Isle of Iona

Very few people are familiar with the name Iona but once it was one of the best loved names in Christendom. It is a little island in the midst of the Innera Hebrides or Western islands of Scotland. It is noteworthy that the Hebrew name for Dove is Iona and in Latin Columbia for under the influence of a man by the name of St. Columbia the glory and renown of Iona blossomed into full glory. It developed into the most famous center of Celtic Culdee Christianity the mother community from whence missionaries were dispatched for the conversion of the pagan tribes in Scotland and Northern England. Iona played an important part in the founding of the Scottish nation. It was on Iona that Columba crowned Aidan (son of Gabran the king of Dalriada) King of Scotland upon the Stone Lia Fail the Stone upon which rested his head the night he dreamed of a ladder stretching to heaven with God at the top. ... It has been said of Iona "Blessed is the eye that see-eth it especially in the spring and summer months." So very small and modest in its aspects and overshadowed by its more imposing sister island Iona's sacred spell is often missed by the passing stranger. But for those who have eyes to see there is a subtle beauty in its apparent a beauty of atmosphere; a beauty part physical and part spiritual. ... E. Raymond Capt was so impressed with what he found during his visits to Iona he promised himself that some day he would have to write about it. This book is the result of that promise made long ago.