The Island of Iona, celebrated for its ecclesiastical remains and venerated as the centre of St Columba's activities and as the cradle of Christianity in Scotland, is designated by various names. In Gaelic it is known as “Hy” or “I” (the Island), and has been termed also “Innis-nan-Druidneach” (the Island of the Druids), “I-Colm-Kill” (the Island of Colum of the Cell). The term “Iona” (or “Ioua”) was used by Adamnan in his Latin Life of St Columba, and was thought to be derived from the Hebrew “Ionah” (a dove). A more probable derivation is from the Irish “I-thon” (the Island of Waves).