The UK's beautiful and 'secret' island that's ignored by tourists

A stunning island in the UK is home to lush turquoise waters and awe inspiring historical sites - but it's often ignored in favour its more famous neighbour. Iona, an island in the Inner Hebrides archipelago off the coast of that measures just 1.5miles wide, has long been a point of pilgrimage - and is seen by many as a sacred place.

St Columba, an Irish abbot and missionary evanglist arrived on the island from Ireland with 12 companions in AD 563 and formed a one of the British Isles' most influential monasteries, as per . Many historians therefore consider it to be the birthplace of Scottish Christianity, and people continue to come to the island to pay their respects and see the building.

But an feature on the island from last year noted how surprisingly tranquil Iona is despite having "such a famous history".

"In summer the population of 150 swells to 300" with people visiting for the day to see the abbey, it continues.

And while a few stay overnight "in the couple of small hotels in the village" most of them "make their way back over the Sound at the end of the day" and the island "empties out.

Besides the historic abbey, tourists can also see the an Augustinian nunnery closeby, and the island's main settlement Baile Mòr where you can find hotels and restaurants, as per .

The peaceful isle also has superb walking opportunities and is home to a rich variety of wildlife, as per .

The remote island is just off the coast of Mull, the second-largest island of the Inner Hebrides, which has beautiful beaches and scenery, and is one of Scotland's most visited islands.

But while Iona might not be nearly as popular, it's got its fair share of pretty beaches too.

St. Columba's Bay, Port Ban Beach, and the Traigh Bhan Nam Monach (White Strand of the Monks) are among the best, according to a ranking based on traveller favourites.

However, it's not easy to visit, requiring a ferry from the Scottish mainland to Mull, then another to Iona.