Church Overview

On the original site of St Columba’s monastery, c.563. St Columba’s Shrine dates from the 9th century, most of the present buildings from around 1200. The massive restoration of the Abbey Church was undertaken by the Iona Cathedral Trust, who own the buildings, and was completed in 1910. The Iona Community now occupy the monastic buildings which they restored under the leadership of the Rev Dr George MacLeod. Historic Scotland care for the Abbey and associated monuments. Beautiful Augustinian nunnery, 12th-century ruin, Reilig Odhrain (royal burial ground), ‘Street of the Dead’, imposing standing crosses and one of the largest collections of early Christian carved stones in Europe. In the guardianship of Historic Scotland.

Iona Abbey is a Destination Hub on the St Andrew Pilgrim Journey.

Services

March to November: Sunday 10.30 am and 9.00 pm;

Monday to Saturday 9.00am (Friday 8.00 am)and 9.00 pm;

Contact the Abbey for winter service times.

Opening Arrangements

Open daily 9.30am-5.00pm April to September, 9.30am-4.00pm October to March. Admission charge applies except for Sunday service

Disclaimer

The information about churches in Scotland’s Churches Scheme has been provided by the congregations or taken from the Historic Scotland list and published sources, in particular, the Buildings of Scotland volumes and the RIAS Illustrated Architectural Guides. To contact this specific church please complete the Contact this Church form above. The information is not authoritative; please contact Scotland’s Churches Trust to let us know of any errors or omissions.