For generations, real candles have brought beauty and atmosphere to Iona Abbey.
But replacement liquid paraffin candles, introduced some decades ago, had begun to be problematic. Abbey staff and volunteers were keen to ensure that visitors to our daily services would enjoy the atmospheric lighting safely and without risk to the building or the environment. A legacy of hope offered a solution.
Caro Penney, Iona Abbey Warden, describes the situation. “The paraffin candles weren’t providing enough light for our worshippers to read from the hymnbook during services. Even more importantly, we felt that we were compromising on our commitment to Creation by burning oil products. The Iona Community is a charity whose work is funded through donations, gifts in Will, book sales and guests staying at Iona Abbey. But the costs involved in replacing the paraffin candles were beyond our budget.”
A legacy of light
Upgrading the candles seemed an impossibility. But in 2025, the finance team received a donation which would light up the Abbey: a legacy gift from Miss Agnes Hepburn in memory of her niece, Fiona MacLennan. The Iona Community was very special to Fiona and she became a Member of the Iona Community as a young person. Fiona died when she was just 23.
Some time later, Fiona’s aunt Agnes updated her Will to include a gift to the Iona Community in Fiona’s memory.
Thanks to this legacy, and in collaboration with Historic Environment Scotland, Iona Cathedral Trust and a host of skilled lighting designers, we have been able to modernise the candles in Iona Abbey and in the Michael Chapel.
The Abbey still shines. But, rather than paraffin-lit, the wax candles have been fitted with LED inserts that faithfully reproduce the warmth, flicker, and colour of real flames.
“Generous donations make it possible for us to continue welcoming people to the Iona Community at our island centres and around the world. We’re so grateful to folk like Agnes and Fiona who choose to leave us a legacy of hope. Every gift in every Will, no matter how large or small, makes a difference.”
Photo credits:
Iona Abbey Church and Michael Chapel 2025 – Nich Smith Lighting Design
Fiona and Iona Community Members – Margaret Stewart
USA North East