CAMAS OUTDOOR CENTRE: MULL
Camas – 2025 season cancellation
The Iona Community has had to make the difficult decision to cancel the 2025 season at Camas. This decision was not made lightly and stems from necessary repairs to the property and the grounds. Camas holds a special place in the hearts of many, and we are committed to ensuring it remains a safe space that can be enjoyed for generations to come.
The roof of the North Building at Camas is in need of immediate repair. The 2025 season needs to be cancelled to allow for this repair work to take place. The cancellation of the season will also allow for other repairs and maintenance work, including to the Camas track. The Iona Community has a property fund which is reserved for these kinds of eventualities.
We’ve been in touch with all groups who had provisionally booked, or expressed an interest in booking for the 2025 season to let them know about the cancellation. We have offered each of these groups the opportunity to book for the 2026 season. We realise that for most of these groups, Camas forms a significant part of their year. We’re so sorry to have had to cancel the 2025 season and will do all we can to make it easy for them to return in 2026.
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Camas – the outdoor centre with a difference
Camas is the Iona Community’s outdoor activity centre on Mull. We have a strong focus on building community and connection; with each other and with our surroundings. Camas is home to a team of staff and volunteers who live down a 2km track welcoming guests to share a simple way of life. The centre is housed in 200-year-old cottages which nestle in a beautiful bay on the Ross of Mull. The shore, garden and woodland provide an incredible setting for personal challenge and community growth.
The Iona Community have been bringing young people to Camas since the 1940s. Originally bringing Borstal Boys from Glasgow to live alongside fishing folk, who moved into the buildings to fish the salmon through the summer. As the salmon stock dwindled, the young people took over and now the centre is for the sole use of the Camas community.
Groups come to Camas for a week at a time, Monday night to Saturday morning. These include youth groups from Scotland, the rest of the UK and further afield. We also have groups from universities, schools, churches and community projects. There are a few weeks open to individuals to come and experience Camas on either a facilitated week inspired by our surroundings, or for one of our working holiday weeks.
Each day at Camas follows a simple rhythm of communal meals, shared chores (otherwise known as GSDs – Get Stuff Done), reflections, outdoor and indoor activities, games, gardening and lots of cups of tea. After a busy day we gather in the common room by candlelight to play games, listen to music, drink hot chocolate, reflect on the day together as we wind down before bed.
Come and experience it for yourself or get in touch if you are interested in bringing a group or have any other questions.
Down The Track
You can read more about Camas in Down the Track, a Camas anthology published this year. A wonderful tribute compiled by Rachel McCann a former volunteer and Camas Co-ordinator.
“A celebration of Camas…This anthology includes inspirational poems, essays, quotes, interviews and other writing reflecting the ethos of Camas from former staff and volunteers, local people, Iona Community members and group leaders. Most significantly, woven throughout the book are comments from young people”
Down the Track
USA North East