Isle of Iona

This article is about the Class III road numbered C50 maintained by Argyll and Bute Council.
For other roads numbered C50, see C50.

The C50 number covers the roads on the Isle of Iona, lying off the south west end of the Isle of Mull. This island is a popular tourist destination throughout the year, with visitors flocking to the famous Abbey that lies north of the main settlement. As a result, pedestrians are normally far more common that cars on the island, although this is partly down to the fact that any vehicles have to have a permit before they are allowed on the ferry.

For most people, the visit starts at the small ferry slipway at Baile Mhor, the main settlement. There is a crossroads at the top of the slipway, and the other three directions are all part of the C50, although the right turn is a dead end just serving the cottages along the shore. Most visitors keep ahead and walk up to the ruins of the nunnery. Here the road turns right, passing between nunnery and school and soon the Abbey is in view ahead. The road winds past the heritage centre in the old church and then soon after reaches the entrance to the Abbey.

Beyond the Abbey, the road continues for over half a mile, coming to an end at the farm of Arduara near the northern end of Iona. There are a surprising number of houses along this stretch of road, either on the roadside or down driveways. There are also a range of paths and tracks offering walkers the chance to explore the rest of the island, beyond the Abbey Precinct. This includes a path that climbs to the islands highest point.

Back at the ferry, the other part of the C50 turns south at the crossroads and runs along the shore past houses. It then turns inland, west, and climbs a little to a crossroads. The road continues ahead, whilst the track to the right leads back to the village by the school, and that to the left heads south into the rocky moorland that stretches down to the southern shore. Paths lead through to quiet beaches, with vies out across the islets and skerries to the south. The road, meanwhile, continues west, dropping back to the shore at the islands Golf Course, which sits in the Machir around a stunning beach, where the grass is kept short by cattle rather than mowers!