Editing Iona (section)

== Present day ==
The island, other than the land owned by the Iona Cathedral Trust, was purchased from the Duke of Argyll by [[Sir Hugh Fraser, 2nd Baronet|Hugh Fraser]] in 1979 and donated to the [[National Trust for Scotland]].<ref name=Smith/> In 2001 Iona's population was 125<ref>{{GRO10}}</ref> and by the time of the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 census]] this had grown to 177 usual residents.<ref name=NRS/> During the same period [[List of Scottish islands|Scottish island]] populations as a whole grew by 4% to 103,702.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-23711202 "Scotland's 2011 census: Island living on the rise"]. BBC News. Retrieved 18 August 2013.</ref> The estimated permanent population in 2020 was 120.

The island's tourism bureau estimated that roughly 130,000 visitors arrived each year.<ref name="Isle of Iona"/> Many tourists come to visit the Abbey and other ecclesiastical properties and the marble quarry or to enjoy the nine beaches that are within walking distance of the main area.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.isle-of-iona.net/ |title=Welcome to the Isle of Iona}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.welcometoiona.com/places-of-interest/ |title=Places of Interest}}</ref>


=== Iona Community ===
{{main|Iona Community}}
[[File:Iona Village from seawards.jpg|thumb|right|Baile Mòr viewed from the Sound of Iona]]

Not to be confused with the local island community, Iona (Abbey) Community is based within Iona Abbey.

In 1938 [[George MacLeod]] founded the Iona Community, an ecumenical Christian community of men and women from different walks of life and different traditions in the Christian church committed to seeking new ways of living the [[Gospel]] of [[Jesus]] in today's world. This community is a leading force in the present [[Celtic Christian]] revival.

The Iona Community runs three residential centres on the Isle of Iona and on [[Isle of Mull|Mull]], where one can live together in community with people of every background from all over the world. Weeks at the centres often follow a programme related to the concerns of the Iona Community.

The 8 tonne ''Fallen Christ'' sculpture by [[Ronald Rae]] was permanently situated outside the MacLeod Centre in February 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iona.org.uk/news.php?id=44 |title=The Fallen Christ on Iona |publisher=iona.org.uk |access-date=8 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609065637/http://www.iona.org.uk/news.php?id=44 |archive-date=9 June 2008}}</ref>

=== Transport ===
Visitors can reach Iona by the 10 minute ferry trip across the [[Sound of Iona]] from [[Fionnphort]] on [[Isle of Mull|Mull]]. The most common route from the mainland is via [[Oban]] in [[Argyll and Bute]], where regular ferries connect to [[Craignure]] on Mull, from where the scenic road runs {{convert|37|mi|abbr=off}} to Fionnphort. Tourist coaches and local bus services meet the ferries.

Car ownership is lightly regulated, with no requirement for a MOT Certificate or payment of Road Tax for cars kept permanently on the island, but vehicular access is restricted to permanent residents and there are few cars. Visitors are not allowed to bring vehicles onto the island although "blue badge holders with restricted mobility ... may apply for a permit under certain exemptions". Visitors will find the village, the shops, the post office, the cafe, the hotels and the abbey are all within walking distance. Bike hire is available at the pier, and on Mull. Taxi service is also available.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.welcometoiona.com/visiting-iona/vehicles-on-iona/ |title=Vehicles on Iona}}</ref>

{{s-rail-start|noclear=yes}}
{{s-rail|title=Ferry}}
{{rail line |previous=|next=[[Fionnphort]]|route=[[Caledonian MacBrayne]]<br><small>Iona Ferry</small> |col={{CalMac color}} }}
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=== Tourism ===
Conde Nast Traveller recommends the island for its "peaceful atmosphere ... a popular place for spiritual retreats" but also recommends the "sandy beaches, cliffs, rocks, fields and bogs ... "wildflowers and birds such as the rare corncrake and puffins" as well as the "abundance of sea life".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/islands-scotland |title=THE 20 MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS TO VISIT IN SCOTLAND}}</ref>

The Iona Council advises visitors that they can find a campsite (at Cnoc Oran), a hostel (at Lagandorain), family run [[bed and breakfast]]s and two hotels on the island in addition to several self-catering houses.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.welcometoiona.com/visiting-iona/accommodation/ |title=Accommodation}}</ref> The agency also mentions that distances are short, with the Abbey a mere 10 minutes walk from the pier. Tourists can rent bikes or use the local taxi.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.welcometoiona.com/visiting-iona/getting-around/ |title=Getting Around}}</ref>

{{wide image|TyIona20030825r17f31.jpg|700px|Iona from Mull. The Abbey lies below Dun Ì at right and the main settlement of Baile Mòr is to the left.}}