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 participate in 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
Autumn is here on Iona and, along with midges, we are aware that there are some instances of colds/flu/covid on the island. When staying with us, if you feel unwell, we do ask that you stay in your room until the symptoms have gone; we will ensure you are fed. In line with government regulations, we no longer have to test for Covid and do not have any test kits on offer.
We are looking forward to welcoming you to the Iona Community on Iona.
If you are thinking about bringing a group of 8 or more people to Iona, please email IonaAbbeyBookings@iona.org.uk.
We are happy to welcome groups up to a maximum of 15 people.
***ANNOUNCING SHORT STAY AVAILABILITY FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE 2023 SEASON – SEE DETAILS BELOW***
Please read through the essential information before booking by clicking on the links below:
SHORTER STAYS
We are delighted to be able to welcome guests to stay with us for a shorter time, for the remainder of our 2023 season.
To help make this work within our existing rhythm of Community life we require that the minimum stay is for two nights. And you will still need to arrive on a Saturday.
The rate for these shorter bookings is at £112 per night per person. A minimum stay will be £224 per person.
Since the nature of these bookings will be within six weeks of arriving, we will require a full payment when you book.
We will allocate whatever rooms are available on your arrival date, which may mean you will end up sharing with someone. You will get to experience Community life, even if only staying for a short while.
Keep an eye out on our programme weeks below to find out what weeks are available for shorter stays.
Looking forward to have you come and stay!
BOOKING INFORMATION
Have a read through all the programme weeks on offer this year. And when you are ready to book you will find the link included in the programme below. Groups, families and individuals can all book there.
If you are considering bringing a group to Iona do get in touch by email to let us know a few more details at IonaAbbeyBookings@iona.org.uk
If you are coming as a family we will allocate you to one room if possible, however, since our biggest room can only accommodate four people, we will have to make use of two rooms if there are more than four of you.
While you are making your own booking, please consider making a donation towards the Access Fund which allows financially disadvantaged people to stay at Iona Abbey or Camas. Thank you.
Your gift would help to pay for:
| £1,000 | A week for a family on Iona |
| £300 | A week for a person on Iona |
| £200 | A week for a child on Iona |
| £100 | A week for a person at Camas |
| £50 | A night on Iona |
| £25 | A night at Camas |
COST AND PRACTICALITIES
Abbey prices include accommodation; breakfast, lunch, dinner and other refreshments; all programme sessions, music, art and craft opportunities, materials and guided walks.
Please note that anyone aged 16 and above are classed as adults for bookings.
| Type of week | Nights | Adult | Reduced | 4-15 | 0-3 |
| Standard week | 6 nights | £672 | £336 | £270 | free |
| 3 nights (an option on certain weeks where shown) | 3 nights | £336 | £168 | £135 | free |
| Easter Wednesday to Monday | 5 nights | £560 | £280 | £225 | free |
| Quiet week (no programme) | 5 nights | £400 | £200 | N/A | free |
| Work week (aged 18+) | 6 nights | £330 | £165 | N/A | free |
Prices shown are inclusive of VAT Deposit for all bookings: 20% (non-refundable)
We know that some people cannot afford these prices and offer the following reductions and discounts:
We offer a 50% reduction to the following UK residents (select the reduced rate tab on the booking page):
- students in full-time education
- people whose only income is from state benefits or a state pension
- people paid beneath the real living wage (The UK Living Wage is £12.00 an hour, and the London Living Wage is £13.15 an hour for 2023–24)
- those who are homeless, refugees, or asylum seekers
We offer a 15% discount to families of four or more
We do not want financial cost to be a barrier for anyone who wants to come and stay with us at Iona Abbey.
Read our ACCESSIBLE TO ALL section to find out what further support we can offer.
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. 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 IonaAbbeyBookings@iona.org.uk or call 01681 700404.
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.
We want all people to be able to come to the Abbey, and will offer what support we can.
CANCELLATION POLICY
All guests booking a week at the Abbey are strongly advised to take travel insurance to cover the eventuality of cancellations.
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.
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.
If you still have unanswered questions after reading through the essential information do check out our Frequently Asked Questions to see if you can find the answer there.
And if you still have a query, please get in touch with IonaAbbeybookings@iona.org.uk or call 01681 700404.
2023 PROGRAMME
Unless otherwise stated, weeks are for 6 nights, with guests arriving on Saturday afternoon and leaving on Friday morning.
BOOK HERE
AUGUST
26 August – 1 September: Time and Space for families (short stay available, Saturday arrival only) 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 (short stay available, Saturday arrival only)
SEPTEMBER
2 – 8 September: Time and Space (Fully Booked) 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. More information here. (Fully Booked)
9 – 15 September: Time and Space (short stay available, Saturday arrival only) 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. More information here. (short stay available, Saturday arrival only)
16 – 22 September: Listening to Palestinian Voices, Naming the Challenges, Empowering Action.’ (Limited Availability) week facilitated by the Iona Community Common Concern Network, Israel/ Palestine. (Limited Availability)
23 – 29 September: Time and Space (Limited Availability) (short stay available, Saturday arrival only) 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. More information here. (Limited Availability) (short stay available, Saturday arrival only)
OCTOBER
30 September – 6 October: Time and Space (short stay available, Saturday arrival only), 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. More information here. (short stay available, Saturday arrival only)
7 – 13 October: Music in Worship with Gillian Cummins (short stay available, Saturday arrival only), for many years, Iona Abbey has modelled a rich pattern of worship where music has an integral place and the music leadership is enabling, inclusive and creative in approach. This week is about the ‘how’, exploring and building skills for teaching and leading songs, providing instrumental accompaniment so as to enliven the singing, collaborating with others to plan worship. Sessions will be very practical in nature, taking a workshop approach. Gillian Cummins is a member of the Iona Community and former Abbey musician who now teaches music from home, accompanies and works with choirs. (short stay available, Saturday arrival only)
14 – 20 October: The Future of the Celtic Past (Fully Booked) An exploration of what from the Celtic traditions of previous eras has not just a relevance today, but a contribution to make to such varied issues as ecology, spirituality, community life, the gifted laity and the identity of God. Not an academic course but a series of conversations involving poetry, history, music and good humour. With John Bell, a member of the Iona Community who lectures and leads workshops at home and abroad. (Fully Booked)
21 – 27 October: We become what we practice – Associate Members Week. (Limited Availability) Associate Members, join us for a well-balanced time together where we will be exploring the Iona Community’s Rule of Life and hearing from guest speaker, Josh Mock. Find out more here. Please note, you have to be an Associate Member of the Iona Community to participate in this week. Find out more about becoming an Associate Member here. (Limited Availability)
28 October – 3 November: Time and Space (Limited Availability) (short stay available, Saturday arrival only) 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. More information here. (Limited Availability) (short stay available, Saturday arrival only)
NOVEMBER
4 – 10 November: Work Week: Saturday – Friday (6 nights) (Limited Availability) (short stay available, Saturday arrival only) For energetic people who don’t mind getting their hands dirty, helping with some end of season jobs. (Limited Availability) (short stay available, Saturday arrival only)
10 – 16 November: Contemplation and Community: Inner Stillness and Outer Action: Friday – Thursday (6 nights): (Fully Booked) Led by Stephen Wright. This is a programme for all who long for a personal relationship in the Beloved, to nurture that relationship and discover how it informs your action in the world. Participants will gain an insight into the nature of contemplation, how to be open to it, and how to include contemplation in our communities and in our everyday lives. More information here. Note, participants will be in single room accommodation due to the nature of the programme. (Fully Booked)
16 – 21 November: Stillness in Community: Thursday – Tuesday (5 nights): (short stay available, Thursday arrival only) No programme, but sharing community meals and worship). Not a completely silent week, but a time for stillness and reflection. Note, participants will be in single room accommodation. (short stay available, Thursday arrival only)
23 – 28 November: Stillness in Community: Thursday – Tuesday (5 nights): CANCELLED: WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.
30 November – 5 December: Light in the Darkness: Thursday – Tuesday (5 nights): (short stay available, Thursday arrival only) A midwinter gathering for reflection and renewal, to look at ways of strengthening cross-cultural friendship and co-operation between progressive Christian groups. Celebrate Advent, consider new possibilities, and deepen understanding on how to move forward in challenging times. Note, participants will be in single room accommodation. (short stay available, Thursday arrival only)
DECEMBER
22 – 28 December: Christmas on Iona: Friday – Thursday (6 nights): Celebrate the feast of Christmas in good company amid the winter beauty of Iona.
