Iona, Scotland: A Pilgrimage of Place
Join us for a small group pilgrimage to Iona, a beautiful island in the Scottish Hebridean Isles with deep spiritual, Celtic and religious history. The Abbey of Iona has been in existence since 563 CE. It is one of Scotland’s most historic and sacred sites where the Book of Kells was written by monks at the start of the 9th century. Modern Iona continues the history of spirituality, creativity, and connection with the land; it is a lush green island surrounded by rocky and sandy beaches. Iona is accessible by ferry from the mainland, with more sheep in its population than people. Come experience the wilderness of this area of Scotland where the sun, wind and occasional rain bring a sense wonder and deep appreciation for the spiritual connection we have with land, sea, and sky.
Upcoming Dates:
Iona Pilgrimage of Place:
Coming! August 13-20, 2025
April 23-30, 2024- completed
Itinerary
Join us for 7 nights in Scotland on our pilgrimage to Iona, Our journey begins upon arrival, beginning in the coastal village of Oban in Argyll and Bute. Scotland is an overnight flight from the U.S. so plan to leave a day before we meet and perhaps spend a night in Edinburgh or Glasgow before taking a train to Oban where our pilgrimage begins.
Flights arriving in Glasgow have the shortest travel by train or bus to Oban. For those choosing to fly to Edinburgh, plan an additional hour of travel time to change trains in Glasgow.
Oban is on the western coast of Scotland; a fishing and ferry port town. While known for its distillery worldwide, it is also the place that connects to the Hebridean isles by ferry and has its own rich history.
Our first two nights are spent in Oban before traveling by ferry for our five nights on the island of Iona. There is time for exploration, reflection, and inspiration from this pilgrim journey. Iona has an ancient spiritual history, considered a thin space where the physical world and the spiritual world are closely connected.
We will experience visits to the Iona Abbey where the Book of Kells was begun by monks following St. Columba’s teachings. We will visit the ruins of the nunnery and the hills and rocks that hold much of the ancient feeling of Celtic Iona.
We have the opportunity to meet with artists and artisans who have been drawn to this area of Scotland for its beauty and wilderness.
A highlight (weather permitting) will be to travel by boat for a tour of the island of Staffa, known for its basalt column cave and a possible glimpse of puffins or to walk to St. Columba’s Bay, where Columba first arrived from Ireland to found a monastery and abbey.
Leaving Iona and returning home is part of the pilgrim journey. Moving from a small, quiet island, back to the demands of daily life is a process of its own. Plan to spend the night in Edinburgh or Oban before your return flight as travel back from Iona involves the ferry journey and train that would not arrive in time for a flight that day.
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Travel by bus or train from Glasgow or Edinburgh to Oban, a picturesque town on the western coast of Scotland in the district of Argyll and Bute.
Check into our hotel near the coast, just a short walk from the train station.
Group meeting in the hotel lobby and dinner together as we plan for our week.
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Meet for breakfast and a walking tour of Oban; explore the small shops and sites of Oban; take time to slow down and adjust to the pace of life here; gather for dinner with the group.
Option to walk up to McCaig’s Tower Battery Hill for sunset views.
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This morning we travel by ferry from Oban to the island of Mull where we enjoy a scenic bus tour across the island before boarding our small ferry to the island of Iona.
This is a traveling day of pilgrimage with so much to experience! After checking into the Argyll hotel we will have time to relax and to explore the area before we gather for dinner.
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Meet for breakfast and gather to prepare for our day.
Visit to the Nunnery, Iona Abbey, St. Oran chapel, and Iona cemetery. Stop in the history center. Take time to consider the life of the monks and other religious community that has resided for centuries on Iona.
Group meeting and dinner at our hotel.
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Breakfast together and meeting in our gathering space with time to reflect on our journey; walking meditation and time to explore life on Iona.
Conversation and visit with artists and artisans of Iona. Dinner and group meeting at our hotel.
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Today we have the opportunity to visit Staffa, a small island known for the basalt columns of Fingal's Cave and a landing place for puffins.
For anyone who does not wish to join this experience, there is time to return to the abbey or explore other areas of Iona such as the North Shore beach area.
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Our last day on Iona provides time to visit other areas of Iona, to reflect on our journey, and to prepare to return home. Option to pack a lunch and walk to Columba’s Bay, returning late afternoon.
Dinner together at our hotel provides a time to celebrate the completion of this pilgrim journey and to say our goodbyes to Iona and one another.
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As our journey ends, travel by ferry from Iona to Mull and onward to Oban. You may choose to then train to Edinburgh or Glasgow before your return home or to explore other sites in Scotland or beyond. If you are returning home after the pilgrimage ends, please plan to overnight this evening in Edinburgh or Glasgow as flights leave early in the day.
Trip cost: $2850
Iona Pilgrimage per person cost for a shared twin room with private bath for 8 days, 7 nights
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Single supplement for private room and bath: $750
Please note there are limited single rooms available for this trip.
A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to reserve your spot.
Payment of the balance is due 90 days prior to the start date of the Iona pilgrimage.
Travel insurance is highly recommended through Allianz or another trusted travel insurance provider.
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Hotel accommodations for 7 nights (2 in Oban and 5 on Iona)
Breakfast and walking tour while in Oban
Ferry and bus transportation to Mull and Iona
Breakfast and dinner daily on Iona
Visit to Iona Abbey, St. Oran’s chapel, and the Nunnery
Visit with artists and artisans on Iona
Staffa island boat tour
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Airfare and train costs to arrive in Scotland and travel to Oban
Any optional site visits, such as the distillery in Oban
Lunches are not included; dinner is not included in Oban
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Pilgrims need to be able to manage their own luggage and to be prepared for moderate walking on uneven and boggy ground
For those walking to Columba’s Bay, the journey is a full day of walking and exploration
Consider a visit to Edinburgh before your Iona Pilgrimage! Two nights can be added to your journey to explore the city of Edinburgh, enjoy a walking tour of the Royal Mile, visit the Edinburgh Castle overlooking the city on Castle Rock, explore Princes’ Street Gardens and visit St.Giles Cathedral.
Option for 2 nights in Edinburgh before the Iona pilgrimage:
Have time to orient yourself to being in Scotland by spending two nights in Edinburgh before traveling by train to Oban. Explore this capital city of Scotland, situated on the Firth of Forth Estuary. This historic city was founded before the 7th century and is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Two days is just enough time for a good introduction to this beautiful, cultural city. Two nights stay, double occupancy is $850 per person. As flights from the U.S. arrive in the morning, you will have your first day to explore and adjust to the time change and a second full day of immersing yourself in Scottish history and charm before the next day’s journey to Oban and Iona.
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Hotel accommodations and breakfast are included at the cost of $850 per person double occupancy.
For a solo room, the single supplement for private room and bath is $400.
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Hotel accommodations in Edinburgh
Daily breakfast
Bus tour of Edinburgh
Guided walk along the Royal Mile and visit to Princes’ Street Gardens
Visit to St. Giles Cathedral
Visit to the National Gallery
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The cost does not include transportation to and from the hotel in Edinburgh; entry to paid sites such as any museums or the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Lunch and dinner are not included in Edinburgh.
Train transportation to Oban is not included.
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Edinburgh is a walkable city with some hills to venture up to Edinburgh Castle on Castle Rock and down to Princes’ Street Gardens.
For those who are adventurous, a strenuous hike up to Arthur’s Seat takes 90 minutes one way and offers spectacular views.
