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IONA ABBEY

Come and stay in 2025

The Iona Community warmly invites you to stay in Iona Abbey as our guest. Join us – for a short break or a week-long programme – in community life and in the work and worship that frames our day.

In our programmes, guests engage in conversation and action focused on justice and peace, embedded in the concerns of the Iona Community. We explore faith, take part in creative activities, and discover community over meals.

Time staying at Iona Abbey includes time spent sharing in the practical tasks of communal living, including helping with cooking, cleaning and hosting. There is time and space to relax outdoors, explore the beautiful island with its white sandy beaches and inspiring wildlife, or simply to be quiet in the peace of the church.

Have a look through our Programme at a glance below. The full programme with more information is coming soon. And don’t forget to have a read through our essential booking information before making a booking.

We want to make sure your stay with us goes as smoothly as possible but as we all know life and weather can often get in the way! We strongly advise that you have adequate travel insurance in place to cover your needs. And we need to let you know that you will have to take full responsibility for any losses incurred as a result of your cancellation. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

ESSENTIAL BOOKING INFORMATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

March 2025 Programme

Work Week

8th - 14th March

Come and help us prepare the Abbey Centre for the 2025 season. Discount rate available.

Time and Space

15th - 21st March

Enjoy some time, space and community on the beautiful Isle of Iona.

The Celtic Wheel

22nd - 28th March

The Celtic Wheel: Spring Balance and Blooming. This week will be led by Iona Abbey programme staff. Join us for 3 or 6 nights.

April 2025 programme

Ways of Seeing, Ways of Being

29th March - 4th April

Led by artist, Mhairi Killin and mindfulness teacher, Kerstin Felleiter, this week will explore the Gaelic way of seeing and being in the world through the rich visual history of Iona.

Embody Lent

5th - 11th April

During this Lenten season, explore yoga through the Christian spirituality, led by Pauline Steenbergen, author of Embody Lent.

Time and Space - Digital Detox

12th - 15th April

Join us for three digital-free days, embrace the profound relaxation and presence of living in the moment.

Holy Week and Easter

16th - 22nd April

Experience a special Holy Week and Easter at Iona Abbey. Alison Adam, Lesley Orr and Cara Riley will facilitate our week as we encounter Easter anew.

Word Made Flesh

26th April - 2nd May

Celebrate the unity of body, mind, and spirit. This promises to be a transformative week, led by Christopher Rowe, Keller Hawkins and Sharon Edwards.

May 2025 Programme

Towards a world fit for our children

3rd - 9th May

Join John Bell to explore how to stay positive about the future without resorting to empty clichés, but with realism, hope and biblical insight.

Associates Week

10th- 16th May

A special week for Associate Members of the Iona Community to gather together on the Isle of Iona. Please note you must be an Associate Member to attend this week. Find out more about membership here.

Time and Space

17th- 23rd May

Enjoy some time, space and community on the beautiful Isle of Iona.

Time and Space

24th - 30th May

Enjoy some time, space and community on the beautiful Isle of Iona.

June 2025 Programme

Song writing to change the world

31st May - 6th June

Explore how singing together shapes faith, heals brokenness, transforms lives, and renews peace. For beginner and intermediate hymn/songwriters, singers, and enthusiasts. Led by the Hymn Society in the US and Canada, UK. 

Columba Week - Being a monk in the world

7th - 13th June

Join Simon De Voil to celebrate Saint Columba’s legacy and draw inspiration from his monastic life. 

Time and Space

14th - 20th June

Enjoy some time, space and community on the beautiful Isle of Iona.

Environment Week

21st - 27th June

What are you being called to do in response to the climate emergency? Discover your purpose, connect with others and strengthen your resolve!

Time and Space

28th June - 4th July

Enjoy some time, space and community on the beautiful Isle of Iona.

July 2025 Programme

Family Week - Compassion Camp

5th - 11th July

Join with families from across the world at Iona Abbey.

Wild Goose Resource Group Week

12th - 18th July

Led by Jane Bentley, Iain McLarty and Jo Love, this is a week for creative liturgists and musicians.

Time and Space

19th - 25th July

Enjoy some time, space and community on the beautiful Isle of Iona.

Community Week

26th July - 1st August

A special week for Members of the Iona Community to gather on the Isle of Iona. Please note you must be a Member of the Iona Community to attend this week, find out more about membership here.

August 2025 Programme

Youth Fest

2nd - 8th August

Bring your youth group to this life changing week with young people from across the world. For youth groups aged 14 – 18.

New Life Rising from the Ashes

9th - 15th August

 A week of creative reflection and solidarity commemorating the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki. Led by the Peacemaking CCN.

Time and Space

16th - 22nd August

Enjoy some time, space and community on the beautiful Isle of Iona. Join us for 3 or 6 nights.

Time and Space

23rd - 29th August

Enjoy some time, space and community on the beautiful Isle of Iona. Join us for 3 or 6 nights.

September 2025 Programme

People, Place and Spirituality

30th August - 5th September

Led by Dr Julian Richards, this week will explore how faith influences how we see the world around us.

Time and Space

6th - 12th September

Enjoy some time, space and community on the beautiful Isle of Iona.

Call of the Cailleach: Wise Women Week

13th - 19th September

In the season of change we embrace the spiritual journey of aging, navigating transitions and letting go, guided by Elspeth Murray and Rachel Weiss. Open to all who identify as women.

Time and Space

20th - 26th September

Enjoy some time, space and community on the beautiful Isle of Iona. Join us for 3 or 6 nights.

Odd Women and Odder Men

27th September - 3rd October

Explore the Bible’s hidden gems and unlikely saviours: from royal humiliations to subversive poetry and expired honey. Led by John Bell.

October 2025 Programme

Faith and Friendships: Nurturing positive change in challenging times.

4th - 10th October

An interfaith space for those building community and fostering unity across difference. Together we will nurture and develop the values of peace, justice, and compassionate leadership. Led by Wahida Shaffi and Sharon Edwards.

Writers' Festival with Wild Goose Publications

11th - 17th October

Celebrate the written word with a host of writers who light up the screen and page. Featuring fireside readings and workshops to explore creative processes, refine literary skills, and discover your own voice.

Time and Space

18th - 24th October

Enjoy some time, space and community on the beautiful Isle of Iona.

The Celtic Wheel

25th - 31st October

The Celtic Wheel: Holy Darkness and honoring our ancestors. This residential week will be led by Iona programme staff. Join us for 3 or 6 nights.

November 2025 Programme

Work Week

1st - 7th November

Come and help us close up the Abbey Centre at the end of the 2025 season. Discount rate available.

Stillness in Community

10th - 14th November

Enjoy some stillness in community on the beautiful Isle of Iona. There is no formal programme over the course of this 4-night stay.

Stillness in Community

17th - 21st November

Enjoy some stillness in community on the beautiful Isle of Iona. There is no formal programme over the course of this 4-night stay.

Stillness in Community

24th - 28th November

Enjoy some stillness in community on the beautiful Isle of Iona. There is no formal programme over the course of this 4-night stay.

December 2025 Programme

Advent

1st - 5th December

More information about our Advent programme will be available in September 2024.

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