Inside Iona Abbey, Scotland
Saint Columba marked the foundation of the abbey in 563AD with his arrival on the island and mission to spread the Christian faith, although his original building would have been made of timber. It wasn’t until around 800AD that the wooden chapel would have been replaced by a stone chapel. The Vikings first attacked the abbey in 795 with subsequent attacks happening in 802,806 and 825. During the attack in 806, 68 monks were massacred on a beach now called ‘Martyrs Bay’ which led to many of the monks leaving the abbey, heading to a new monastery In Kells, Ireland. The abbey at Iona remained despite the danger of the Vikings until 825 when the abbot , St Blathmac and his remaining monks were also Martyred during the Viking raid and the abbey was burned to the ground. Evidence suggests that the site wasn’t completely abandoned. In 1114 iona was seized by the King of Norway who ruled for 50 years until Somerled recaptured it and invited renewed Irish interest in 1164. In 1203 Somerled’s Son, Rangald, now the Lord of the isles invited monks of the Benedictine order to establish a new monastery on the Columban monastery’s foundation. In the 15th century, the abbey church was substantially expanded but after the Scottish reformation, Iona along with numerous other abbeys throughout Scotland and the British isles were abandoned, dismantled and left in disrepair with the monks dispersing. In 1938 , work began to restore the abbey under the leadership of George MacLeod. I spent hours inside the abbey , singing when it was empty to try out the beautiful acoustics. I found a piano and had myself a good time.
Inside Iona Abbey, Scotland
Saint Columba marked the foundation of the abbey in 563AD with his arrival on the island and mission to spread the Christian faith, although his original building would have been made of timber. It wasn’t until around 800AD that the wooden chapel would have been replaced by a stone chapel. The Vikings first attacked the abbey in 795 with subsequent attacks happening in 802,806 and 825. During the attack in 806, 68 monks were massacred on a beach now called ‘Martyrs Bay’ which led to many of the monks leaving the abbey, heading to a new monastery In Kells, Ireland. The abbey at Iona remained despite the danger of the Vikings until 825 when the abbot , St Blathmac and his remaining monks were also Martyred during the Viking raid and the abbey was burned to the ground. Evidence suggests that the site wasn’t completely abandoned. In 1114 iona was seized by the King of Norway who ruled for 50 years until Somerled recaptured it and invited renewed Irish interest in 1164. In 1203 Somerled’s Son, Rangald, now the Lord of the isles invited monks of the Benedictine order to establish a new monastery on the Columban monastery’s foundation. In the 15th century, the abbey church was substantially expanded but after the Scottish reformation, Iona along with numerous other abbeys throughout Scotland and the British isles were abandoned, dismantled and left in disrepair with the monks dispersing. In 1938 , work began to restore the abbey under the leadership of George MacLeod. I spent hours inside the abbey , singing when it was empty to try out the beautiful acoustics. I found a piano and had myself a good time.