Iona Abbey on the island of Iona, just off the Isle of Mull on the West Coast of Scotland.

Details

Accessibility

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/iona-abbey-and-nunnery/access/

2025: "Carers tickets

In line with best practice in the visitor attractions industry, visitors with disabilities are treated on an equal basis with all other visitors and entry is charged at the appropriate admission category rate - Adult/Concession/Child. Proof of disability is not required.

We recognise that some disabled visitors may need help to visit our sites and we offer free entry for accompanying carers, these can be added when making your booking. Please note this is limited to two carers per transaction.

Parking

Cars can go onto Iona only with a permit from the local authority office in Oban. Blue Badge holders can take vehicles on the public ferry, but parking on the island is very limited.

Approach to site

The abbey is a 600m walk uphill from the ferry pier, along a single-track road.

A taxi service is available and can carry folded wheelchairs. Telephone: 07810 325 990. 

Monument

A gravel driveway runs from the ticket office to the buildings. Step free access to the Abbey Church nave is via the cloister entrance. Once inside, the crossing has two steps from the nave and there are further steps to proceed to the east end of the Church. 

Access to the shop is via a narrow, ramped doorway. You can then return to the main gate via the gravel driveway.

Toilets

There are no toilets on site.

The nearest toilets are at the Iona Community shop just north of our ticket office.

Dogs

Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.  

Visitors' dogs are allowed in the grounds of Iona Abbey.

Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and not left unattended at any time. Owners must pick up after their dogs."

Brief description

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iona_Abbey

2025: "Iona Abbey is an abbey located on the island of Iona, just off the Isle of Mull on the West Coast of Scotland.

It is one of the oldest Christian religious centres in Western Europe. The abbey was a focal point for the spread of Christianity throughout Scotland and marks the foundation of a monastic community by St. Columba, when Iona was part of the Kingdom of Dál Riata. Saint Aidan served as a monk at Iona, before helping to reestablish Christianity in Northumberland, on the island of Lindisfarne.

In the 12th century, the Macdonald lords of Clan Donald made Iona the ecclesiastical capital of the Royal Family of Macdonald, and subsequent Lords of the Isles into the early 16th century endowed and maintained the abbey, church and nunnery. Two of the Macdonalds (each named Angus) became Bishops of the Isles with the bishop's seat at Iona. St. Oran's chapel was the burial place for the Lords as evidenced by their grave slabs.[1]

From 1207 to 1493, the early Clan Donald and its Lords of the Isles were entirely central to Iona abbey's medieval existence, development and prestige. This enduring Macdonald phase equals the 300 year period of primary Columban monasticism. It is paramount in providing the sole witness to Iona's extant architecture and is a principal witness to the surviving monuments. The Iona Abbey church was in all but name The Macdonald's Cathedral of The Isles. Medieval Iona Abbey, as you see it today (restored in the 20th century) is largely the legacy of the 15th century Clan Donald Lords of the Isles and their Clan Donald Abbots and Bishops.

Today, Iona Abbey is the spiritual home of the Iona Community, an ecumenical Christian religious order, whose headquarters are in Glasgow. The Abbey remains a popular site of Christian pilgrimage today.[2] 

In 1899 the Duke of Argyll (the land of good deeds) transferred ownership of the ruined remains of the Abbey and Nunnery sites to the Iona Cathedral Trust, which undertook extensive restoration of the Abbey church. In 1938, the inspiration of Reverend George MacLeod led a group that rebuilt the abbey and founded the Iona Community. The reconstruction was organised by the architect Ian Gordon Lindsay having generously been passed the project by his senior mentor and friend Reginald Fairlie.[22] The surrounding buildings were also reconstructed during the 20th century by the Iona Community. This ecumenical Christian community continues to use the site to this day.

The simple square font was added in 1908 and dedicated to the memory of the Very Rev Theodore Marshall DD, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in that year.[23]

In 2000 the Iona Cathedral Trust handed over the care of the Abbey, Nunnery, and associated sites to Historic Scotland.[24]

In June 2021, the abbey reopened following a £3.75M renovation, fund-raised by the Iona Community over three years, and including a renewable energy system and high-speed broadband.[25]"

https://iona.org.uk/visit-and-stay/iona-abbey-centre/

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/iona-abbey-and-nunnery/

Address

Iona Abbey and Nunnery

Isle of Iona

PA76 6SQ

Email

https://iona.org.uk/visit-and-stay/iona-abbey-centre/ &  admin@iona.org.uk

Phone

The Iona Community's Shop and Welcome Centre: 01681 700 404 + 01681 700 512 https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/iona-abbey-and-nunnery/getting-here/

Website

https://iona.org.uk/visit-and-stay/iona-abbey-centre/

Directions

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/iona-abbey-and-nunnery/prices-times/

"The abbey may close at short notice due to weather disruption to the ferry service. Please check the status of the ferry crossing before travelling.

Adverse weather or other reasons beyond our control may cause a site to close. We advise checking ahead if the forecast is poor or you are making a long journey. Current unexpected and short term closures."

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/iona-abbey-and-nunnery/prices-times/

Transport

https://iona.org.uk/visit-and-stay/travel-advice/

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/iona-abbey-and-nunnery/getting-here/

2025: "National Grid reference: NM 286 245

Telephone: 01681 700 512

View Iona Abbey on Google maps

Journey planners

Iona is reached by public ferry from Fionnphort, Mull. The crossing takes 5 minutes and the walk to Iona Abbey about 10 minutes.

Access to the monument is through the main gate only.

Search for National Cycle Network routes on the Sustrans website.

Plan your journey by public transport using Traveline Scotland."

Amenities

The Iona Community's Shop and Welcome Centre https://iona.org.uk/visit-and-stay/iona-abbey-centre/visit-shop/

"Staff at our Shop and Welcome Centre (opposite the Abbey) will offer you a warm welcome when you visit. They are there to answer your questions, share information, and serve you through our shop."

The Iona Community

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Iona Abbey

Isle of Iona PA76 6SN

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iona_Abbey

"Several high crosses are found on the island of Iona. St Martin's Cross (dated to the 8th century) still stands by the roadside. A replica of St John's Cross is found by the doorway of the Abbey. The restored original is located in the Infirmary Museum at the rear of the abbey.

The contemporary Jedburgh-based sculptor Christopher Hall worked for many years on carvings on the cloisters of the abbey, which represent birds, flora and fauna native to the island. He also was commissioned to carve John Smith's gravestone."

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/iona-abbey-and-nunnery/

2025: It’s thought that the world famous Book of Kells was made here, along with other great works of art. Iona’s Abbey Museum houses Scotland’s finest collection of early medieval carved stones and crosses.