other highlights

The Iona Community Shop

Situated opposite the Abbey on Iona the shop is pleased to make available, on mail order, a specially selected range of craft and gifts.

All purchases help support the wider work of the Iona Community.

Explore Iona

With Jean Black - Local Tourist Guide - jean@aitga.co.uk  

Visit St Columba's Bay, Marble Quarry, Hermit's Cell, Spouting Cave.  Learn about the people and history of this beautiful island from an islander.

Tailor-made tours on request.

Iona Nunnery

The picturesque Nunnery ruins, with their tranquil cloister garden, are close by the ferry landing.

Reginald, son of Somerled (Lord of the Isles), founded the nunnery in 1200 and installed his sister, Beatrice, as its first prioress.  One of only two Augustinian Orders in Scotland, the nunnery earned itself the name 'An Eaglais Dhubh' - the black church - after the colour of nuns' robes. 

Unlike the rest of the Abbey buildings, the nunnery has not been restored since being made derelict during the Reformation.  The pink granite walls that remain, despite being ruinous, are amongst the best examples of a medieval nunnery left in Britain.

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