August 3, 2026
For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock. ~ Psalm 27:5 NRSV
After my encounter with Valerie Anne and Kevin, I returned to the hotel. I picked up a brochure of Iona that included a detailed map of the island. Later that evening, I looked at it. To my great surprise, off the northern tip of the island, and between two small outlying islets, “Findlay’s Rock!” I decided I would look for it in my free time. I saw amazing rock formations offshore. I looked at them, photographed them, and tried to discern the one that was most deserving of the name Findlay’s Rock. I caught the ego in those words and realized that we Findlays aren’t “all that.” Below is a photo of one possibility.
None of the above matched the location on the map, as far as I could discern. I turned to Google for help. I learned that Findlay’s Rock is only visible at low tide and is submerged at high tide. According to one source, “it was named after a Scottish seaman who discovered it and had it marked on maps to prevent ships from hitting it.” Another source said, “While Findlay’s Rock itself has no detailed recorded history in the provided sources, its location on Iona means it is part of the island’s natural and cultural landscape. The rock’s exposure at low tide and its proximity to the abbey’s former site may have made it a landmark for pilgrims, fishermen, or local chieftains in earlier times, but no specific events or legends are documented in the available material
As I thought about it, the Findlays I know are not flashy. They are down-to-earth and don’t seek the spotlight. They are often cautious, and like me, are on the lookout for tripping hazards. Thanks be to the One who hides me and keeps me from sinking in life’s high tides.
Anne
Wayfinding 