Fionnphort

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
official_name= Fionnphort
gaelic_name=
population= 80 (approx.)
os_grid_reference= NM302233
latitude= 56.33
longitude= -6.37
unitary_scotland= Argyll and Bute
lieutenancy_scotland= Argyll and Bute
constituency_westminster= Argyll and Bute
constituency_scottish_parliament= Argyll and Bute
post_town= ISLE OF MULL
postcode_district = PA66
postcode_area= PA
dial_code= 01681

Fionnphort (Scottish Gaelic: Fionnphort pronounced|ˈfjun̪ˠafɔrˠʃt̪) is the principal port of the Ross of Mull, and the second largest settlement in the locale (its population is approximately 80). Fionnphort is the base of the ferry service between 'mainland' Mull and Iona, and also boat trips to Staffa. It is also home to a museum about Saint Columba, a shop and restaurant - all of which capitalise on the traffic of tourists and pilgrims to Iona. Fionnphort also has a beach (with a distinctive split granite boulder in the centre that is classed as an erratic and deposited here by an ice age glacier),Fact|date=May 2008 car park and cemetery.

From Fionnphort, the entire east side of Iona can be seen, including the Abbey and main centre of population. A road that turns off the main road to the left just after the village starts takes the traveller down to the island of Erraid, mentioned in Robert Louis Stevenson's novel "Kidnapped" and accessible to walkers at low tide.

Historically, Fionnphort has been a fishing village offering religious pilgrims access to Iona; more recently, it has facilitated the movement of stone from a quarry in the vicinity. The granite which was quarried was highly prized for its density and hardness. Fionnphort still has a thriving fishing industry, noted principally for shellfish, especially crabs and lobsters, almost all of which are exported in a large container truck to Spain and France.

In April 2008, residents finally had the opportunity to use a cash machine, putting an end to a 100-mile round-trip to Salen villagers previously had to endure. Sandy Brunton, the local postmaster said that residents are claiming they now have the best view from a cash dispenser anywhere in Britain: "As you stand at the ATM, you have a view of Iona to the west, Coll to the north and looking east you can see the island's only Munro, Ben More."Mair, George (18 April 2008) [http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland/Village-gets-hole-in-the.3995981.jp "Village-gets-hole-in-the-wall"] Edinburgh. "The Scotsman". Retrieved 18 April 2008.]

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