Obsessed with the occult and religion, Iona proved irresistible to Marie Emily Fornario.
She arrived on the island in the Autumn of 1928 with a great number of trunks and furniture cases, immediately expressing an interest in staying long term, if not indefinitely on the Isle of lona. As most of the island's Summer visitors had left for the year, Marie found no problem securing accommodation with the Cameron family at Traigh Mhor - a little farm isolated away from the main village. She quickly made friends with local villagers and the Cameron family alike, settling into the slow pace of island life very agreeably.
Before long, however, the Camerons became increasingly startled by Marie. For one, she had not arrived in good health and could barely manage a short beach walk each day before retiring to her bed to sleep for days. Another issue was that Marie readily divulged deeply personal maters to the family such as her Italian father (who was a professor at an Italian university) failing to make contact with her for many years after her affluent mother (who had lived in London) died while Marie was still a child. Her aunt and uncle in London had brought her up and on telling this to the Camerons, Marie seemed to sink into a deep despair before their eyes. She said that her aunt and uncle were much too strict and impatient with her as a child, not understanding her own individual nature. Marie went on to say that children of such marriages are destined to be misfortunate and that growing up, she had been profoundly unhappy.
The Cameron family were now even more curious about their unusual house guest and asked why she had left an exciting life in London for the "mundane" island life on lona. Marie responded that she had heard "The Call of the Isles" -a desire for a life of peace and tranquility. Their understanding was much clearer now. Marie also had taken an unhealthy obsession with St Columba and the ancient ruins found over the island. She considered them blessed in a way that would hopefully transfer to her and bring her the happiness she had always craved.
From the day she had landed on lona, she spent most of her time reading about island folklore and uncanny apparitions in her new Hebridean environment. As time went on, it was suspected by the Camerons and their neighbours that Marie was a Rosicrucian, although they could not prove this outright. Rosicrucianism is a rare religious sect that believes that ancient knowledge has been passed down to them through engaging in occult practices rarely revealed to the public. They do not consume any meat or alcohol and any vegetables or fruit matter must be eaten raw to preserve the vital salts within the cells of the food. It is a strict Christian based sect, secretive and comparable to Freemasony. On the traditionally conservative Christian Isle of Iona, had this been confirmed by Marie, the information would not have received a positive reception. The family's suspicions were heightened by the fact that Marie would often speak of visions she had had and messages she had received from the spirit world. Being deeply conservative, the Cameron family were horrified. To them, that far away whimsical look Marie had in her eye was either total madness or possession by the diabolical.
A strange event recalled by Mrs Cameron was that she noticed the jewellery Marie had been wearing had turned black, seemingly out of nowhere, and Mrs Cameron pressed her for an explanation of this. Marie shrugged and said that her jewellery always turned black when she wore it.
As silversmiths, we can offer two possible explanations for this - salt water or even being on the beach for a long period of time, exposing the silver to salty air, can turn silver black quicker than you would think. As a child, I once wore my silver ring to the beach and while playing in the sea I noticed that the ring had turned absolutely black. It took a long time, perhaps a few months of wear for the ring to become partially silver again. Another possible reason is that some people sweat more than others and naturally produce more salt - hence tarnishing silver faster.
One location on lona, just 3 miles from the farm, particularly drew her in. It was a pre - Christian village which was not easily reached as no road nor track led to it and Marie had to walk through boggy marshes and climb steep rocks to reach it. It is said that the marshes and the ancient village ruins are where the dead roam at night. This dangerous walk had become Marie's daily exercise and something she delighted in doing. One night, she did not return home and as the hour grew later, the Cameron family became increasingly worried. Indeed, the next morning Marie came merrily through the doors and announced she had spent an enchanting evening on the marshland, so much so she had slept there overnight!
Mrs Cameron in particular was growing increasingly concerned, frustrated and fearful of her house guest and especially so when Marie announced to the family that if she was to go into a trance, that it could last a week or longer and not to disturb her or seek medical attention in any way. Maries' gentle and curious demeanour when she had first landed on the island was gone and in its place was a woman who babbled, spoke mostly nonsense and now declared hat she must leave the island with immediate effect. Marie packed her things in a wild rush and the Cameron's helped, despite it being a Sunday. Marie knew that no ferries came to the island on a Sunday and as night fell, she stood with all
her belongings alone on the pier, knowing that no boat would show. The Camerons kept her company and knew that there something very wrong.
Reluctantly, Marie came back to the farm, looking tired and distressed. She spent a few hours speaking calmly, delicately and rationally to the family although what was said we do not know but what we do know is that it ended on a positive note. The family went to bed feeling calmer about the situation and helped her unpack. The Camerons were devout Christians, like almost everyone on Iona at that time, and they had worked on the Sabbath just for her. They were not annoyed, but felt a little disappointed in breaking the Forth Commandment, that was all. Marie went up to bed, seemingly looking and feeling lighter in herself. The next morning, she was gone.
As the hours went on, Marie never returned and the family and islanders were very concerned for her wellbeing. They searched the coast, rocky inlets and moors but no trace of her was found until dawn the next day. Her body was found by two islanders between the Machar and Loch Staonaig, holding a knife in her hand, above her head. It was ruled that Marie had died of both exhaustion and exposure and she had ran barefoot over rough terrain and heather, causing injuries to her toes. She had ran in the pitch dark - perhaps seeking some other worldly phenomena.
Marie Emily Fornario died on the 19th November 1929, aged 33 and was given a special burial on the island at the Reilig Odhrain where many kings and chiefs are buried. Her graved is marked by a small white marble book. Islanders say that small blue lights are often seen above her grave and where her body was found on the moor (such lights are common on lona) and on a few instances, people have actually spoken to her ghost as it roams the moors at night.