Olive Malcolm takes us on an inspired and lyrical journey through Iona, sharing her passion for this beautiful, sacred island, touching on its history, its voices, its stories, while evoking in words and beautiful photographs its deep and enduring magic. Highly recommended for all lovers of Iona.

As a photographer, the poems within Sounds of Iona, so eloquently written by Olive Malcolm, feel as if they have been written for photographers, such is their descriptive power and insight. They reveal a sensitivity and alertness to the transcendent landscape of Iona.

Sounds of Iona is a feast for the senses. The poems carry the reader on a breath-taking journey between inner and outer landscapes, weaving memories, myth and legend into the here and now. There is light so intense it hurts and there are stars. We explore rock pools and shell-studded beaches where St Columba once trod. There are angels and mermaids and a black cat sitting in an ancient archway in a shaft of sunlight. The beautiful photographs are an added bonus.

The reader does not need to travel to the Inner Hebridean island of Iona to appreciate its unique character and mystical lure. Through these powerful poems, the poet portrays landscape and nature in painterly detail, interweaving them with myths and fairy tales of the island. The language used is powerful and persuasive in its imagery, rich with metaphor and simile, allowing the poet’s love for this special place to shine through in every line. The pages are further enhanced by the inclusion of her own stunning photographs. Dipping into the book affords the reader an immersive experience of life on the island, offering intriguing glimpses of both secret places and everyday life, where experiencing four seasons in a single day is not unusual. Life is ruled by the changing elements and human activity has to adjust accordingly. This is indeed an accomplished first collection which deserves to be widely read and enjoyed.