#19 | Seeking the Spirit of Iona: Exploring the Sacred Island's History

Welcome to a mesmerizing journey to the sacred island of Iona in our latest episode! Join us as we embark on a quest to discover the elusive spirit of this mystical place and delve into its rich history. In this captivating adventure, we unravel the captivating story of St Columba, the trailblazer who brought Christianity to Scotland, right here on Iona. Explore the ancient Abbey that stands as a testament to his remarkable legacy and learn about the profound impact it had on shaping the spiritual landscape of Scotland. However, our exploration doesn't stop at the Abbey's walls. We'll also delve into a tumultuous chapter in Iona's history-the Viking raids that brought an abrupt end to the flourishing monastery. Discover the captivating tales of conquest and resilience as we uncover the untold stories of those who lived through those challenging times. Leaving the shores of Iona behind, we set sail from our anchorage in Tinker's Hole, navigating the scenic waters along the Ross of Mull. Our destination? The protected anchorage of Loch Spelve, renowned for its delectable mussels-a true culinary delight! But there's a catch. To reach our gastronomic haven, we must skillfully time our journey to pass through the tidal gate at the narrow entrance of Loch Spelve. Join us on this awe-inspiring adventure, where history, spirituality, and nature intertwine to create an unforgettable experience. So, grab your compass and set sail with us to uncover the hidden wonders of Iona and the mesmerizing treasures that lie beyond. Don't forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell to ensure you don't miss a moment of this captivating journey! #IonaAbbey #scottishhistory #StColumba #Vikingraids #Sacredplaces #Religiouslandmarks #Mysticaljourneys #LochSpelve #Culinarydelights #Scotlandtravel Music from Epidemic Sound: State of Serenity by Maree Docia Silent Hills by Martin Baekkevold In The Catacombs by More than Family Streams by Johannes Bornlof State of Serenity by Maree Docia Walk Tall by Johannes Bornlof Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/sailingpolaris https://www.facebook.com/sailingpolaris https://www.sailingpolaris.uk Hi! We are Kathrin and Daniel. We sail, cruise and live aboard our sailing yacht SV Polaris Helvetica, a 14m Bavaria Cruiser 46 from 2017. We left our native Switzerland and moved to the UK almost two decades ago. In 2021, in our mid 50-ies, after our three boys left the nest we made a big decision. We left the rat race in London behind and made our beloved sailboat our primary floating home. Over the years we have added a few things to Polaris. We got rid of the standard propane gas cooker and replaced it with an electric cooker and oven. We fitted a generator and changed to a lithium (LiFePo) house battery bank. We added a 1'200W solar arch and a water maker. With all these upgrades Polaris is now a comfortable live aboard yacht. We sail her along Britain's beautiful coastline and we live on her summer and winter. Kathrin loves cooking and baking on board. You will see some of her cookery wonders across our episodes. We completely fell in love with our new lifestyle although we had to make some tough decisions. We vacated our rented house in London and sold or gave away all our belongings that had no space on Polaris. What a very liberating feeling to be able to say that all we own is with us on our small sailing boat. There's nothing else to care about. We enjoy our new freedom. We explore new places, discover their history and we love making new friends along our way.