Introduction
The world-famous abbey is located on the small island of Iona which lies off the Isle of Mull in turn off the west coast of Scotland.
Today, the abbey is, principally, a spiritual retreat centred on the Iona Community which has a line of descent from the arrival of St. Columba in AD 563. Columba founded an early Irish-Christian Monastery from where Christianity was introduced into Northern Britain.
More information
A summary chronology post Columba is set out below.
The Monastery and mission stimulated learning with chief manifestation being the Book of Kells which now resides at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. This probably dates from the 8th century and was taken to Kells in Ireland about that time for protection in face of Viking raids.
Large, free-standing stone crosses were constructed during the 8th century of which five survive.
In the 12th and 13th centuries a Benedictine Abbey was founded which brought Iona into the religious mainstream.
Most of the buildings survived the 1560 Reformation relatively undamaged but subsequently fell into disrepair.
The Abbey and Nunnery buildings were repaired and consolidated in the 19th century and the Abbey was re-roofed by 1910.
In 1938 Dr. George MacLeod founded the Iona Community as a Church of Scotland brotherhood. This acted as a catalyst for further restoration in a programme which was completed in 1965. Today, the movement continues its ecumenical ethos attracting people from all walks of life and across a wide range of Christian denominations. Refer Iona Community website for more information.
Most of the island is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland, a not-for-profit, heritage organisation. Operational management for the abbey rests with government agency Historic Environment Scotland. The abbey is open throughout the year but check website for times and other details.
Visiting
Most visitors transfer to the island via ferry from Oban on the mainland to Craignure on Isle of Mull. Then motor transfer across Mull to Fionnphort followed by short ferry crossing (about ten minutes) to Iona.
Visitors are rarely permitted to transport motor vehicles to the island which is very small with all sites accessible on foot.
There is a limited supply of accommodation on the island. This compries at least two hotels plus various other lodgings. Booking well ahead is strongly recommended.
For more information on this subject and sightseeing in Scotland please refer to the publication Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4