Photograph of the ruins of Iona Abbey situated on the Ross of Mull, a large peninsula on the Isle of Mull. In the foreground are large boulders. The central tower of the Abbey stands above the ruins of the nave and another ruined, smaller dwelling stands away from the Abbey in the foreground. Beyond the abbey, the coastline and open sea can be seen in the background.

The Abbey was originally constructed during the early 13th century by the son of the Norse-Gaelic warlord Somerled. Shortly after, an Augustinian Nunnery was also established on the site, but following the Scottish Reformation, the Abbey and Nunnery were dismantled and left in ruins. The Abbey was re-constructed at the end of the 19th century by the Iona Cathedral Trust and is still in use today. Wilson spent three days photographing the island of Iona in 1860 during his tour of the Western Isles of Scotland.  

This photograph is part of a portfolio of 42 photographs taken by Wilson that were used to illustrate a book featuring entries from Queen Victoria's journals, written during her visits to Scotland. Leaves from the Journal of Our Life in the Highlands was published to great success in 1868.