About Iona

St Columba




A representation of St Columba in stained glass.      
St Columba is a key figure in the story of the island – and of Christianity in Scotland.

Born in Ireland in AD 521, he came to Iona in 563 and founded the island’s first monastery. He also travelled to the mainland, meeting at least one Pictish king. We cannot be sure how much he contributed to the spread of Christianity, but he was an important influence on the early church in what is now Scotland.



A representation of St Columba in stained glass.