108715: Iona Abbey

The original monastery at Iona was founded by Columba in 563, from which from which he set out to convert the people of Scotland and northern England to Christianity. It is believed that the Book of Kells was written in the monastery. During the 9th century Iona was raided by Vikings on several occasions. Many of the monks were killed and the monastery burned. 

The island was recaptured by Somerled in the 12th century, following which part of the was cathedral rebuilt. In 1203 Somerled’s son Ranald founded a new Benedictine monastery on the foundations of the old Columban monastery, as well as an Augustinian nunnery close by.