IONA ABBEY PROGRAMME & BOOKINGS 2023

The Iona Community warmly invites you to stay in Iona Abbey as our guest. Join with us in community life, in the work and worship that frames our day, and in a programme offering stimulating input and interaction along with time and space.

In our programmes, guests engage in conversation and action focussed 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. There is time and space to relax outdoors, explore the beautiful island with its white sandy beaches and profusion of wildlife, take time apart to reflect, read, walk or write – or simply to be quiet in the peace of the church or the landscape.

LIVING IN COMMUNITY

True to its beginnings and the rebuilding of life in community, time staying at Iona Abbey includes time spent sharing in the practical tasks of communal living, including helping with cooking, cleaning and hosting. Most rooms are shared, and bathroom facilities are also shared. Our renovated living quarters means that there are accessible bedrooms and bathrooms for those who require this. You will also be invited to join in the daily services of worship in the Abbey Church and, if you wish, help to plan and lead services.

Every week, ‘The Pilgrimage’ visits key Iona landmarks, pausing for moments of reflection. Boat trips to Staffa are also very popular.  Browse books of poetry, history, prayers and issues of concern, and purchase postcards and gifts in the  The Iona Community Shop

BOOKING INFORMATION

While you are making your own booking, please consider making a donation towards helping someone else experience a stay at Iona Abbey (see below for details).

Please read our FAQs before you book.

CANCELLATION POLICY

• Deposit payments are ALWAYS non-refundable and non-transferable.
• Full booking balance must be paid 42 days before arrival. Bookings made less than or equal to 42 days require the full balance to be made on Booking.
• If cancelled 42 days or less prior to the trip to Iona the full cost is non-refundable and non-transferable.
• All guests booking a week at the Abbey are therefore strongly advised to take travel insurance to cover the eventuality of cancellations.
• In the event that, for unforeseen reasons, a paid place cannot be taken at the last minute, we would only ever consider a refund of the balance payment if there was a waiting list for the week and your place could be given to another guest. If there was no waiting list, we would ask that you claim on your travel insurance.
• If your insurance policy could not cover your claim, we might consider a transfer if there were weeks later in the season with plenty of remaining availability.
• If we are able to offer alternative dates but these do not suit you or you have to cancel the alternative dates, then the non-refundable and non-transferable policy would apply in full.

ACCESSIBLE TO ALL

We know that the cost of travelling to and staying at Iona Abbey can be prohibitive to many. We offer a range of reduced prices, and discounts on all weeks. In addition, working through our Partners, we have committed a portion of our beds at the Abbey each week of the season, and in one of our island cottages, offered free of charge to those in particular need. See our Unlocked programme for more information.

2023 PROGRAMME

Weeks are for 6 nights, with guests arriving on Saturday afternoon and leaving on Friday morning, unless otherwise stated.

MARCH

11 – 17 March: Work week for energetic people who don’t mind getting their hands dirty, helping to prepare the Abbey for the season.

18 – 24 March: Time and Space (3 or 6 nights) to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

25 – 31 March: Time and Space (3 or 6 nights) to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

APRIL

1 – 4 April: Palm Sunday long weekend for families (3 nights)

5 – 10 April: Easter for families at Iona Abbey (5 nights)

11 – 14 April: Time and Space for families (3 nights) to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

15 – 21 April: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

22 – 28 April: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

29 April – 5 May: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

MAY

6 – 12 May: With John Bell programme to be confirmed

13 – 19 May: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

20 – 26 May: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

27 May – 2 June: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

JUNE

3 – 9 June: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

10 – 16 June: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

17 – 23 June: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability. Led by Tine Arup Millum

24 – 30 June: Time and Space  to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

JULY

1 – 7 July: Time and Space for families  to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

8 – 14 July:Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

15 – 21 July: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

22 – 28 July: Youth Festival 2023

29 July – 4 August: Wild Goose Resource Group. We hope that all who come are keen to be actively involved in the programme.  When you reserve a place, Wild Goose Resource Group will be in touch to find out about your interest in creative worship. 

AUGUST

5 – 11 August: Community Week. Members of the Iona Community gather on Iona.  This week is only open to Members of the Iona Community.

12 – 18 August: Time and Space  to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

19 – 25 August: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

26 August – 1 September: Time and Space for families to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

SEPTEMBER

2 – 8 September: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

9 – 15 September: Students’ Week in conjunction with our partners from Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities and the Student Christian Movement

16 – 22 September: Palestine and Israel

23 – 29 September: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

OCTOBER

30 September – 6 October: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

7 – 13 October: Music in Worship with Gillian Cummins programme to be confirmed

14 – 20 October: With John Bell programme to be confirmed

21 – 27 October: Associate Members Week. Associate Members of the Iona Community gather on Iona. This week is only open to Associate Members of the Iona Community.

28 October – 3 November: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

NOVEMBER

4 – 10 November: Work Week for energetic people who don’t mind getting their hands dirty, helping with some end of season jobs.

16 – 21 November: Quiet Week Thursday to Tuesday (3 or 5 nights): for individual guests (no programme, but sharing community meals and worship).

23 – 28 November: Quiet Week Thursday to Tuesday (3 or 5 nights): for individual guests (no programme, but sharing community meals and worship).

30 November – 5 December : Quiet Week Thursday to Tuesday (3 or 5 nights): for individual guests (no programme, but sharing community meals and worship).

DECEMBER

21 – 27 December: Christmas on Iona: celebrate the feast of Christmas in good company amid the winter beauty of Iona.

COSTS & PRACTICALITIES

Abbey prices include accommodation; breakfast, lunch, dinner and other refreshments; all programme sessions, music, art and craft opportunities, materials and guided walks.

Prices shown are inclusive of VAT         Deposit for all bookings: 20% (non-refundable)

ACCESSIBLE TO ALL

We know that some people cannot afford these prices. We encourage groups to raise funds to support their own members. The Iona Community has an access fund to help those resident in the UK who would not otherwise be able to come. Subsidies, including towards cost of travel, may be available. We encourage group leaders or individuals to apply for this via the Bookings Administrator.  We want all people to be able to come to the Abbey, and will offer what support we can.