Iona
Stitchers based around Oban and Mull came together to stitch one of the Highland's most influential Christian missionaries and the Abbey which he founded. The story of Columba's activity in the Highlands shapes many modern myths, originating from the beautiful Isle of Iona.
This is their story.
The Spirit of the Highlands and Islands is closely bound up with the spirit of place, genius loci. Iona is also a place of spirits.
Before Columba came from Ireland in 563, the island was already sacred. Its name was originally Iogh, meaning the Yew Tree Island, a place where druids worshipped. A version of the name, Ioua, was misspelled in the 13th century and it became Iona.
The little island is powerfully symbolic, and not only because saints walked there, but because it is an atmospheric, thin place where the veil between worlds is like gossamer. Those who leave the eastern shore, the restored abbey and all its throng of visitors, and walk to the west in an evening light will slowly intuit otherness.
On the machair, the wildflower meadow above where the Atlantic waves shush over the sands, spirits walk, their grey shapes looming out of the mists of history. In the liath-fheasgar, the half-light of the gentle gloaming, the whisper of prayer, the music of the past floats on the breeze.
Iona Panel depicting Columba.Image provided by Kirstie Campbell
Stitching an Icon
Circled by seasbirds this ecclesiastical heavyweight has had a lot of influence on modern culture around Iona.Image provided by The Dam Stitchers
Melanie and Jenny of The Dam StitchersImage provided by Smartify
Discover more stories from The Dam Stitchers
WITH THANKS TO THE DAM STITCHERS
This panel was stitched by May, Kathleen, Barbara, Brenda, Elaine, Eleanor, Janet T, Janet F, Jennifer, Karen M, Karen L, Karen C, Kathy, Melanie, Sheena, Sue, Robin, Susan and Toril who gave their time, skill and energy to completing a fantastic artwork for their area.
If you would like to see the panel up close and admire the detail of their work, please look out for the panel at an exhibition near you soon. To find out more, follow Inverness Castle Experience on Facebook for all the latest updates on the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands and the new visitor experience in Inverness, open 2025.
