Featured: Explore Scotland (and everywhere else) with our Megalithic Portal iPhone app

Explore Scotland (and everywhere else) with our Megalithic Portal iPhone app

Singing Up the Country: The Songlines of Avebury and Beyond

Singing Up the Country: The Songlines of Avebury and Beyond

Who's Online

There are currently, 378 guests and 0 members online.

You are a guest. To join in, please register for free by clicking here

Sponsors

<< Our Photo Pages >> Iona Cross - Ancient Cross in Scotland in Isle of Mull

Submitted by nicoladidsbury on Tuesday, 24 March 2015  Page Views: 54277

Early Medieval (Dark Age)Site Name: Iona Cross Alternative Name: Relig Odhrain
Country: Scotland County: Isle of Mull Type: Ancient Cross

Map Ref: NM286245
Latitude: 56.334839N  Longitude: 6.392756W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
5 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
5 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
5 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
4

Internal Links:
External Links:

I have visited· I would like to visit

Marcia would like to visit

Megalithic89 visited on 1st Sep 1986 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5

coin visited - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

jeffrep nicoladidsbury sorschaL FrothNinja DaygloViking have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 4.5 Ambience: 5 Access: 4.5

Iona Cross
Iona Cross submitted by nicoladidsbury : St Martins High Cross This is the original cross, depicting Daniel in the Lions Den. In an age where books were expensive and rare, high stone crosses served to communicate the gospel to a largely illiterate population (Vote or comment on this photo)
Ancient Cross in Argyll. St. Columba, an Irish Prince, chose to establish his mission on Iona in 563 AD. The religious community he founded on the island quickly became a place of pilgrimage and Christian learning that was renowned throughout Europe.

The Abbey, whose earliest parts date back to the 11th century, produced some of the most beautiful and intricately carved "Celtic" crosses in Scotland - Islay's Kildalton Cross, ornately carved in the 7th century from a single slab of rock, was probably by a sculptor from Iona - and it is thought that the famous Book of Kells may have been partly written on the island.

Maclean's Cross close to the nunnery, by the parish church and manse, is the 15th century MacLean Cross which is a well preserved example of Iona workmanship. On the far side is a carving of the crucifixion. The cross is located at what was once the junction of the islands two main roads.

Today only 3 early free standing High Crosses remain on Iona out of over 1,000 that existed here in the middle ages. Such crosses were very popular in N Britain, Scotland, and Ireland during the 8th C and often displayed remarkable artistic skill. The surviving crosses are St. John's Cross, St. Martin's Cross and St. Matthew's Cross, all of which are found west of the Abbey. The remains of two other early crosses, the St. Odran's Cross andthe stem of an unknown cross can be seen in the Nunnery Museum.

Due to weathering the original St. John's Cross has been removed for repair. A good replica now stands in its stead. All of these crosses were constructed from large pieces of granite slotted together with mortis-and-tenon joints. The sides of the crosses are elaborately decorated with vines, ornamental circles, flowers and scenes from the gospels. The west face of the St. Martin's Cross depicts Daniel in the Lion's Den, while the east face of the St. Mathew's Cross shows the temptation of Adam and Eve. Clearly in an age where books were expensive and rare, high stone crosses served to communicate the gospel to a largely illiterate population


Note: The Iona Abbey Research Project: a New Understanding of Scotland's Most Sacred Place, full video of a talk given to the Society of Antiquaries London. Includes a section decoding the symbolism of this cross at about 48 minutes in.
You may be viewing yesterday's version of this page. To see the most up to date information please register for a free account.


Iona Cross
Iona Cross submitted by nicoladidsbury : St John's Cross This is the original cross, or rather the remaining fragements, of the most spectacular sculpture produce on the island. It was orignially erected in the 8th Century in front of St Columba's shrine, a saint who was given powers by God of visions and healing. People came from all over europe to pray at his tomb, and three great works were commissioned in his memory, a lost metal r... (1 comment - Vote or comment on this photo)

Iona Cross
Iona Cross submitted by nicoladidsbury : Looking out of the door of St Columbas Shrine Looking out to the replica of St John's Cross This replica is made from the original pieces which were taken to Edinburgh, where craftsmen made moulds of the surviving pieces which enabled each missing part to be replicated. The replica was erected on the original site in 1970, outside St Columbas Shrine. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Iona Cross
Iona Cross submitted by postman : The cloisters at iona abbey (Vote or comment on this photo)

Iona Cross
Iona Cross submitted by nicoladidsbury : St Johns Cross (Replica) This image of the replica cross shows the intricate carving, and the slenderness of the cross. It is easy to see why it is thought of as being the finest cross made by the Iona sculptors, worthy of marking the shrine of St Columba (1 comment - Vote or comment on this photo)

Iona Cross
Iona Cross submitted by jeffrep : View of the other (East) side of the 8th Century St. Martin's Cross on Iona. In background is Torr an Aba, where St. Columba's writing cell was.

Iona Cross
Iona Cross submitted by nicoladidsbury : Iona Abbey Pictorial Map

Iona Cross
Iona Cross submitted by postman : The cross and part of the Abbey

Iona Cross
Iona Cross submitted by andyb456 : Close up of the replica St. John's Cross. (1 comment)

Birtley Iona Cross
Birtley Iona Cross submitted by Anne T : Just for completeness, a photograph of St Giles in Birtley so visitors will recognise the church.

Birtley Iona Cross
Birtley Iona Cross submitted by Anne T : Close up of the round headed grave marker (Corpus of Anglo Saxon Stone Sculpture reference Birtley 04) located on a ledge high in the north wall of the porch. It dates from the second half of the eleventh century.

Birtley Iona Cross
Birtley Iona Cross submitted by Anne T : Close up of the Iona Cross (Corpus of Anglo Saxon Stone Sculpture reference Birtley 02) located in the north wall of the Sanctuary. Dated AD700, the inscription of O E P E translates as Orate Pro Edmundo – Pray for Edward.

Birtley Iona Cross
Birtley Iona Cross submitted by Anne T : Close up of the round grave marker or dedication cross form the second half of the 11th century (Corpus of Anglo Saxon Stone Sculpture reference Birtley 03) that sits above Birtley 01. It was split in half, the pieces now being reunited.

Birtley Iona Cross
Birtley Iona Cross submitted by Anne T : Close up of the undated fragment of Anglo Saxon cross shaft (Corpus of Anglo Saxon Stone Sculpture reference Birtley 01).

Birtley Iona Cross
Birtley Iona Cross submitted by Anne T : An undated Saxon cross-shaft fragment and circular grave marker/dedication cross from the second half of the 11th century are built into the northern wall of the nave near the font.

Iona Cross
Iona Cross submitted by postman : The Abbey from across the water

Iona Cross
Iona Cross submitted by durhamnature : Old drawing from "Ancient Stone Crosses of England" via archive.org

Iona Cross
Iona Cross submitted by nicoladidsbury : Reilig Odhrain burial mound Odran was one of the founding monks of the Iona community, who died on the island shortly after their arrival. According to legend Columba received a vision in which he saw Odran's soul ascending to heaven protected by angels who warded off devils seeking to take him to hell. As a result of this vision the community named their cemetery Reilig Odhrain in his honor. His... (3 comments)

Do not use the above information on other web sites or publications without permission of the contributor.
Click here to see more info for this site

Nearby sites

Click here to view sites on an interactive OS map

Key: Red: member's photo, Blue: 3rd party photo, Yellow: other image, Green: no photo - please go there and take one, Grey: site destroyed

Download sites to:
KML (Google Earth)
GPX (GPS waypoints)
CSV (Garmin/Navman)
CSV (Excel)

To unlock full downloads you need to sign up as a Contributory Member. Otherwise downloads are limited to 50 sites.


Turn off the page maps and other distractions

Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 100m S 176° Clach Braith (Iona) Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (NM286244)
 346m NE 40° Cladh an Diseirt* Cairn (NM28842475)
 401m S 190° St Mary's Nunnery (Iona) Ancient Cross (NM2850424110)
 760m NNW 333° Tobar nah Aois* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (NM283252)
 1.3km WNW 299° Tobar na Gaoithe Tuath (Iona) Holy Well or Sacred Spring (NM275252)
 2.1km W 270° Dun Cul Bhuirg (Iona) Hillfort (NM26492462)
 3.0km ESE 110° Achaban House* Standing Stone (Menhir) (NM31332331)
 3.1km ESE 112° Loch Poit Na H-I* Crannog (NM31432313)
 4.5km ESE 117° Poit Na H-I Stone* Standing Stone (Menhir) (NM3251022174)
 7.0km ESE 104° Tirghoil* Standing Stone (Menhir) (NM35322242)
 8.8km ESE 104° Suie* Standing Stones (NM37062185)
 10.8km ESE 118° Ardalanish* Standing Stones (NM37841887)
 11.3km E 97° Taoslin* Standing Stone (Menhir) (NM3973122388)
 11.6km ESE 111° Uisken.* Standing Stone (Menhir) (NM3919119632)
 17.6km N 353° Dun Cruit Stone Fort or Dun (NM27634206)
 17.7km NNE 24° Tigh An Duine Stone Fort or Dun (NM36944013)
 18.6km NE 35° Cragaig* Standing Stones (NM40283901)
 18.7km NE 51° Inch Kenneth Stone Standing Stone (Menhir) (NM4385835492)
 19.7km E 84° An Dun (Mull)* Stone Fort or Dun (NM484254)
 20.3km NE 40° Ulva Standing Stone Standing Stone (Menhir) (NM42563926)
 21.4km NE 45° Meall Min Rock Art (NM447387)
 22.6km NNE 20° Dun Aisgain Stone Fort or Dun (NM37744524)
 23.0km NNE 22° Dun Ban, Tostarie Stone Fort or Dun (NM38694524)
 23.4km N 8° Dun Haunn Stone Fort or Dun (NM33434749)
 23.5km NNE 24° Torr Damh* Cairn (NM39434544)
View more nearby sites and additional images

<< Hvar Island

Sewingshields Crags >>

Please add your thoughts on this site

Stone Journals - journeys to the mysterious standing stones of Europe by Patrick Ford

 Stone Journals - journeys to the mysterious standing stones of Europe by Patrick Ford

Sponsors

Auto-Translation (Google)

Translate from English into:

"Iona Cross" | Login/Create an Account | 9 News and Comments
  
Go back to top of page    Comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content.
The Early Medieval Kingdoms of Scotland: A Palaeoecological Approach To Understandin by Andy B on Saturday, 11 September 2021
(User Info | Send a Message)
The Early Medieval Kingdoms of Scotland: A Palaeoecological Approach To Understanding
Samantha Jones, (University of Aberdeen)

Since Roman withdrawal from Britain in the late 5th century AD until the formation of Alba in the 9th-10th centuries AD, the early Medieval kingdoms of Scotland developed complex, highly stratified societies. A lack of integrated multidisciplinary studies however, means very little is known about these societies or how they functioned during social or political change. As part of the Comparative Kingship Project, palaeoecological analysis (C14, pollen & geochemical) was completed from three locations close to archaeological sites spanning the early Medieval Period.

Sites include 1) a valley fen at Rhynie in eastern Scotland close to a 5th-6th century Pictish enclosure and Pictish symbol stones. The enclosure doesn’t appear to have been in use after the 6th century AD but little is known about the chronology of human activity in the wider landscape.

2) Loch of Leys crannog in eastern Scotland. The site was selected because excavations revealed phases of occupation during the late Roman Iron Age (1st-2nd centuries AD) and in the 9th-10th centuries AD.

3) A peat deposit on the island of Iona in western Scotland. The island is renowned for its early monastery founded in ~AD 563. The island also experienced Viking raids during the 8th-9th centuries AD and may have been influenced by later Norse settlement.

A lack of historical records between the 8th to 11th centuries for Scotland, however, means our knowledge about societies living in Scotland during this period is severely limited. The main objectives of the palaeoecological analysis has therefore been to fill in some of these knowledge gaps and to gain a more robust understanding of the socio-political landscapes as the kingdoms of northern Britain and Ireland took shape. This paper presents, with the support of the available historical and archaeological resources, the preliminary findings from the three sites investigated so far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMP076r7aJ8
[ Reply to This ]

Talk:Iona Abbey Research Project: a New Understanding of Scotland's Most Sacred Place by Andy B on Tuesday, 24 March 2015
(User Info | Send a Message)
13 February 2014. Society of Antiquaries London Ordinary Meeting of Fellows. 'Iona Abbey Research Project: a New Understanding of Scotland's Most Sacred Place', by Peter Yeoman, FSA. Includes a section decoding the symbolism of the Iona cross at about 48 minutes in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI8rPYqhri8
[ Reply to This ]

Isle of Iona may be ancient burial site by Andy B on Wednesday, 19 June 2013
(User Info | Send a Message)
An archaeological survey on the famous Scots isle of Iona – where St Columba landed 1450 years ago to spread Christianity in Scotland – has shown signs of ancient burials.

This is the first geophysical investigation to be undertaken away from the core focus of the Columban monastic enclosure and the Benedictine Abbey.

The surveys were carried out on National Trust for Scotland land on the island by Dr Sue Ovenden and Alastair Wilson of Rose Geophysical Consultants.

The pair examined two areas in the fields to the south of the village - one close to the current village hall and south of the Nunnery and the other at Martyr’s Bay.

The area close to the village hall seems to show features of recent or natural origin which will be excavated later this year.

However, the more interesting result came from Martyr’s Bay where there is a mound beside the road where skeletal remains were excavated in the 1960s.

Derek Alexander, the Trust’s Head of Archaeology Derek, said: “The geophysical survey shows that on the landward side, this mound may have been revetted by stones and surrounded by a shallow ditch. This could be a sign of burials.

“It has always been suggested that there are numerous burial sites on Iona and there have been various finds over the years, the most famous of which is in the graveyard at Relig Odhrain to the south of the Abbey.

“The burials that have been discovered so far are absolutely fascinating. For example, those unearthed by excavations at Martyr’s Bay in the 1960s were quite unusual - there were some 40 skeletons packed into an area about 4m long by 2m wide.

“These appeared quite jumbled and many may have been reburied, especially as the carbon dating showed that one skeleton dating from the 13 - 15th century was below one dating from the 6 – 8th century.

“It’s possible that this mound has some connection to another graveyard that’s marked on an old map, known as Clad Nan Druineach.

“We plan to investigate the area further in September, and hope that the findings will add more to what we already know about this fascinating island’s cultural and spiritual story.”

More in the Scotsman
http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-news/top-stories/isle-of-iona-may-be-ancient-burial-site-1-2934998

With thanks to Coldrum for the link
[ Reply to This ]

A load of old rubbish proves Iona flourished 200 years before birth of Rome by coldrum on Thursday, 18 June 2009
(User Info | Send a Message)
THE chance discovery of an ancient rubbish tip on the small island from where Christianity flourished across Scotland has confirmed it was once home to a Pagan settlement.
Studies by archeologists from the National Trust for Scotland have unearthed the first traces of Bronze Age activity on Iona – dating from nearly 1,000 years before the birth of Christ.

The research was carried out on a small pit of domestic refuse which was discovered only because of the erosion of a sandy bank of a burn on the west side of the island.

Described by the NTS as a "prehistoric midden pit" the pile was found to contain a large cobblestone tool, shards of pottery and flint, limpet and whelk shells, and bones from sheep, goats, and a grey seal, some of which had been burnt.

Since its discovery last September, specialist radiocarbon tests have been carried out at the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre in East Kilbride. The results now confirm a 95 per cent chance that the debris dates from between 930 and 810BC.

Derek Alexander, the NTS archeologist who made the find, said: "This is a very significant find for Iona. It is well known for its early Christian history, however, we now have the first evidence which shows that there was settlement even earlier.

"The midden contains lots of useful information that may help shed some light on what human life on prehistoric Iona was like."

Mr Alexander added: "However, we don't have all the answers – while it is quite clear that the remains are domestic rubbish, whether they relate to a settlement in the immediate vicinity is unknown."

Iona may already have been a sacred island in the pre-Christian traditions of the Iron Age inhabitants of the Hebrides.

Although there is no actual physical evidence for this, it would explain why St Columba settled on this particular island in 563, after he was exiled from his native Ireland.

Kirsty Owen, cultural resources adviser for Historic Scotland – which cares for Iona Abbey and nunnery – said: "While it was well known that the early Christian settlement was far from being the first on Iona, it is really good to see some new Bronze Age evidence emerging.

"We know very little about activity on Iona before Columba's time and this find provides a small but important insight into the lives of Iona's prehistoric occupants and suggests that there is more evidence still to be uncovered."

Columba founded a monastery on Iona and set about the conversion of pagan Scotland and much of northern England to Christianity. Iona's fame as a place of learning and Christian mission spread throughout Europe and it became a major site of pilgrimage where several kings of Scotland, Ireland and Norway came to be buried.

In 1938, George MacLeod founded the Iona Community, an ecumenical Christian community of men and women from different walks of life. The community is a leading force in the present Celtic Christianity revival, and attracts nearly 1,000 visitors a week in high season.

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/A--load-of-old.5174776.jp
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Iona Cross by nicoladidsbury on Friday, 22 August 2008
(User Info | Send a Message)
It is a mavellous site - they were such marvellous craftsmen.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Iona Cross by jeffrep on Thursday, 21 August 2008
(User Info | Send a Message)
A few corrections and clarifications, if I may.

To be more specific, the name of what is called Iona Cross on this page should be St. Martin's Cross, as this is the actual name of the 8th Century cross. There is no alternate name for this cross, by the way. The Alternate name given on this page, Reilig Odhrain, is the name of the ancient burial ground, which is adjacent to Iona Abbey and contains the 12th Century chapel of St. Oran, who is said to be St. Columba's uncle.

As stated, a replica of St. John's Cross stands in front of the Abbey. Original portions of St. John's Cross (carved 750-850 A.D.) are to be found inside the Abbey museum, which is called the Infirmary Museum, not Nunnery Museum.

Also inside the museum are portions of two additional early crosses: St. Oran's Cross (a typo has it as St. Odran), which was carved 750-800 A.D, and St. Matthew's Cross, which was carved 800-950 A.D.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Iona Cross by Thorgrim on Friday, 09 September 2005
(User Info | Send a Message)
Thanks for that information, Michael. Good to hear that their superb craftsmanship has been recognised. Excellent!
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Iona Cross by Anonymous on Friday, 09 September 2005
I am interested to see that you have details od the replica of st johns cross on the site. My grandfather and uncle were the craftsmen you mention. Their names are David and Gregor Borthwick. My grandmother recently recieved a World Concrete Crafts award on behalf of my late grandfather for the work. Hope this is of interest

Regards
Michael McLachlan
michael.mclachlan@edinburgh.gov.uk
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Iona Cross by Thorgrim on Thursday, 14 October 2004
(User Info | Send a Message)
Superb informative article giving valuable information and background to an important place. This is exactly the kind of article we want to see more of on the Portal. They begin to turn the Portal into an online international encylopaedia.
[ Reply to This ]

Your Name: Anonymous [ Register Now ]
Subject:


Add your comment or contribution to this page. Spam or offensive posts are deleted immediately, don't even bother

<<< What is five plus one as a number? (Please type the answer to this question in the little box on the left)
You can also embed videos and other things. For Youtube please copy and paste the 'embed code'.
For Google Street View please include Street View in the text.
Create a web link like this: <a href="https://www.megalithic.co.uk">This is a link</a>  

Allowed HTML is:
<p> <b> <i> <a> <img> <em> <br> <strong> <blockquote> <tt> <li> <ol> <ul> <object> <param> <embed> <iframe>

We would like to know more about this location. Please feel free to add a brief description and any relevant information in your own language.
Wir möchten mehr über diese Stätte erfahren. Bitte zögern Sie nicht, eine kurze Beschreibung und relevante Informationen in Deutsch hinzuzufügen.
Nous aimerions en savoir encore un peu sur les lieux. S'il vous plaît n'hesitez pas à ajouter une courte description et tous les renseignements pertinents dans votre propre langue.
Quisieramos informarnos un poco más de las lugares. No dude en añadir una breve descripción y otros datos relevantes en su propio idioma.