A Pilgrimage to Iona - The Details
21st to 28th May 2027
with Rev Olivia, Rev Louise and Rev Simon
Time and Space
to rest, reconnect and be renewed
“Let this beautiful place settle in your heart and give it time and space to comfort, challenge and change you”
Iona: A History
In 563AD St Columba landed on the white sands of Iona. With 12 companions, he built his first Celtic church and established a monastic community. Once settled, the Irish monk set about converting most of pagan Scotland and northern England to the Christian faith. Iona’s fame as a missionary centre and outstanding place of learning eventually spread throughout Europe, turning it into a place of pilgrimage for several centuries to come. In 1938, George Macleod founded the Iona Community who set about rebuilding the remains of the Benedictine Abbey.
Iona: A Pilgrimage
1400 years after Columba’s death, Iona remains a place of pilgrimage for people from every corner of the world. During our week together we will have the opportunity to explore the beauty and history of the island whilst immersing in the ancient practises of Celtic spirituality by living in community.
There will be time spent together: eating, worshipping, sharing, but there will also be space for stillness and solitude.
Information:
The cost is approx. £1,500 per person. This includes:
accommodation in Glasgow (21st -22th May);
6 nights on the island of Iona (22nd -28th May);
return transport from Glasgow to Iona (coach and ferries);
and full-board meals.
Bursaries may be available should payment be a barrier.
Accomodation
Most of the accommodation in the Abbey is shared rooms and shared bathrooms, single rooms and en-suites are reserved for those with specific and necessary requirements. Couples and relatives will be accommodated together and solo travellers will be accommodated with a person of the same sex.
Some of the accommodation is accessible, however travellers with mobility issues should take into consideration the travel arrangements.
Not Included:
Return travel to Glasgow – we will communicate which trains we are travelling on, to and from Glasgow, but we ask all travellers to book this themselves.
Travel Insurance – please ensure you have personal travel insurance.
Meals
On Iona, meals will be shared with other guests in the Abbey refectory.
The Iona Community are committed to providing healthy and sustainable food, meals are primarily vegetarian and dietary requirements can be catered for.
Payment
To secure your place, a £200 deposit will be required by 28th May 2026.
50% of the booking will be due 6 months prior to departure and the final balance is due 12 weeks before. The cost is dependent on travel arrangements so may vary but will not exceed £1,500.
The £200 deposit can be paid to
SILSOE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
Account number: 65225516 | Sort code: 08-92-99 | Reference: Iona
Cheques: Please make payable to Silsoe Parochial Church Council
Pattern of the Week
FRIDAY 21st MAY| GLASGOW
Make own travel arrangements to Glasgow.
Accommodation provided in central Glasgow.
SATURDAY 22nd MAY | IONA
7:30 Coach departs Glasgow
11:00 Ferry : Oban to Mull
12:15 Coach : Craignure to Fionnphort
14:00 Ferry : Fionnphort to Iona.
Packed lunch provided
18:00 Evening meal – Abbey Refectory
21:00 Welcome Service – Iona Abbey
SUNDAY 23rd MAY | IONA
8:00 Breakfast – Refectory
10:30 Communion Service – Abbey
13:00 Lunch – Refectory
17:00 Wee Sing
18:00 Dinner – Refectory
21:00 Quiet Service
MONDAY 24th – THURSDAY 27th
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Morning Worship
9:30 Task Teams
10:00 Morning Session
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Open Space
18:00 Dinner
19:00 Optional Evening Activity
21:00 Evening Worship (themes: Peace and Justice; Prayers for Healing; Act of Commitment; Communion)
The programme will include input from The Iona Community and Rev Simon, Rev Louise and Rev Olivia.
There is space to explore the island, enjoy the natural beauty and settle into the rhythm of work, rest and worship.
On Tuesday there is a guided pilgrimage around the island (4-6 hours or an alternative shorter route) with a packed lunch provided.
Optional Excursion: Boat Trip to Staffa and Fingal’s Cave – a beautiful uninhabited island, famous for its dramatic geology, sea caves and bird life.
Task Teams: As part of the intentional building of community, guests are asked to help with routine tasks for half an hour a day.
FRIDAY 28th MAY
7:00 Breakfast – Refectory
8:00 Leaving Service – Abbey
9:00 Ferry : Iona to Fionnphort
9:15 Coach : Fionnphort to Craignure
10:30 Ferry : Craignure to Oban
11:30 Coach : Oban to Glasgow
Own travel arrangements from Glasgow (we will advise what time train to book).
THE ISLAND OF IONA
Though the island is just 3 miles long and 1 mile wide, it caters to the hundreds of tourists and pilgrims who flock off the ferry everyday in the summer months. There are two hotels, a pub, an array of craft and gift shops, a spa convenience shop, as well as a takeaway pizza vendor.
THE IONA COMMUNITY
Inspired by faith and loving concern for the world and its people, the Iona Community is committed to pursuing justice and peace in and through community.
During our stay at Iona Abbey, we’ll meet other guests inspired by justice and peace and the concerns of the Iona Community. Together we’ll explore faith, take part in creative activities, and create community sharing meals together.
We would love for you to join us on this pilgrimage.
For more information or to express interest,
please contact Rev Olivia, Rev Louise or Rev Simon
revliv@3churches.uk | 07721 928955
There is a downloadable leaflet with all this information available here