Turned into a day of rain and sun, rather typical of Iona which is why you wear a raincoat and cover your camera! Took some early morning photos of St. Oran’s chapel. According to legend, St. Oran (Odhrán) was buried alive as a sacrifice to prevent the walls of the first church from falling down. Dedicated to his memory, the Reilig Odhráin is the cemetery adjacent to the Abbey. The cemetery became a royal burial ground during the 9th – 11th centuries. In 1549 an inventory of 48 Scottish, 8 Norwegian and 4 Irish kings was recorded all no longer identifiable.
Of course I had to revisit the nunnery which was an Augustinian convent of nuns established sometime after the foundatyion of the Benedictine monastery in 1203 by Ranald, son of Somerled. Someled’s daughter, and Ranald’s sister, Bethoc, was first prioress. I will continue to photograph this amazing ruin while I am on Iona as it is a beautiful, and mystical place. Walking to the north end of the island I couldn’t help but photograph the lambs – one in particular who jumped up on a stone wall and came over to see me! There will be many more pictures of Iona in the coming days
