Historic environment scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level.
Iona marble quarry.
The marble outcrop on iona is 2700 million year old rock composed of a unique combination of serpentine and limestone the marble quarry can be found down from a hollow where there are two old ruined stone cottages called in gaelic tobhta nan sassunaich which translates as house of the lowlanders.
42 the quarry is the source of iona marble a beautiful translucent green and white stone much used in brooches and other jewellery.
A number of coves and beaches towards the south of the island contain small pebbles of iona marble polished for aeons by.
Points of interest landmarks.
From dunbhuirg the iron age fort to the marble quarry worked even in the 20th century.
The duke of argyll purchased and polished a piece of this marble in 1693 and there is evidence that the high altar of the medieval abbey church was made of iona marble.
Iona marble quarry the remains of a marble quarrying enterprise can be seen in a small bay on the south east shore of iona.
Hotels near iona nunnery.
The big saw dominates the ruins and although rusted and now silent it strikes awe into the soul when one wonders how it got there with the limited.
It may have been worked as early as 1745 by the earl of breadalbane when he founded the marble and slate company of netherlorn.
Iona with its beauty and white sand beaches has a time and place for everyone.
Historic sites in iona.
The quarry was however worked out by about 1918 and what remains are the unusable huge blocks of granite that were hewn by hand.
Hotels near port ban beach.
Sights landmarks in iona.
The quarry was first officially opened in the late 1700s by the duke of argyll but did not operate for long because the marble was difficult to extract and.
Ancient ruins in iona.
Hotels near dun 1 hike.
Iona marble quarry quarry ne of an t aird erection of warning and interpretation sign 300035725 case type scheduled monument consent status complete.
The old machinery was abandoned when the quarry closed in around 1918 and stands silently a testament to a time gone by.
It seems appropriate to add to this website a section about the legendary stone called iona marble whose source is a unique small geological outcrop near the south end of the island this beautiful green and white local stone has been highly revered since prehistoric times.
The marble quarry is a place where you can allow your imagination free rein.
From st columba s bay in the south to the white strand of the monks in the north many places have their stories to tell.
The iona marble quarry is situated in a small inlet on the south east of the island and has a very long history.
