Succeeding generations of writers, poets and artists have gained inspiration on these shores and in turn rediscovered its heritage, from some of the first travel writers like Boswell & Johnson to the Romantic Poets such as Wordsworth and Keats, to the grand man of the Highland revival - Sir Walter Scott himself. In the early 1900's Alec Ritchie moved to Iona and together with his wife was inspired by the Celtic world to make some of the most sought after Scottish Jewellery of the 20th century. Whilst shortly afterwards the Scottish Colourists populated the island for successive summers in the inter-war years, painting some of the most famous views in Scotland's impressive artistic cannon. It continues to the present day with the likes of artists such as John Lowrie Morrison, poets like Kenneth Steven, and even to our resident jeweller and artist Mhairi Killin who continues the manufacture of bespoke Celtic Jewellery on the island.
The point being, that Iona's atmosphere and cultural heritage conspire to provoke thought and artistic endeavour. It is a place where the more esoteric and thoughtful would describe that "the veil is thin", where the connections between people, place, and "the other" come to the forefront of ones mind. Above all, it is a place where you can find meditative reflection and the time to savour the wonders of the natural world.
For the hardened cynic, this may well be thought of as just bombast, hyperbole and meaningless new age conjecture. But it's hard to dismiss completely out of hand, especially when you walk the beaches on a moonlit summer's nights, or wonder through the Abbey precincts on quiet afternoons, or listen at night to the shrieks of gulls and the howling winds of a southerly gale. The island is littered with folk tales of fairies and wondering monks, as well as all the traditional characters of Hebridean stories such as Kelpies, Vikings and ghostly Clansmen.
The history and atmosphere have certainly inspired many an artistic temperament, as well convince many a first time visitor to return again and again. Whether you are convinced or not with the island's mystical appeal, there is much to be said for simply following the island paths that have inspired so many, and giving yourself time to think about life in a setting that is without doubt full of beauty.
