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:
Please inquire about open dates for 2026-2027
Private group pilgrimage reserved for July 8-17, 2026
August 13-20, 2025 - completed
April 23-30, 2024- completed
Itinerary
Join us for 7 nights in Scotland on our Pilgrim at Heart journey to Iona, Our pilgrimage begins 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 to join our group.
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 and bus 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.
We have the opportunity to walk to St. Columba’s Bay, a historic site, where Columba (also known as St. Colmcille) first arrived from Ireland in 563 CE with 12 disciples to found the monastery and abbey in Iona. He is known as a patron saint of Scotland, Ireland, and particularly of poets and bookbinders.
A highlight (weather and sea conditions permitting) will be to travel by boat for a tour of the island of Staffa, known for its basalt column cave and a colony of puffins- we might have a glimpse of puffins, dolphins, and seals!
Leaving Iona and returning home is the final part of the circular pilgrim journey. Moving from the small, quiet Isle of Iona 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 via Oban that would arrive late in the 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.
We will begin with a group meeting in the hotel lobby and dinner together as we plan for our week.
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We will begin today with 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 or to visit the famous Oban Distillery. Be sure to reserve this well in advance if you are interested in the Distillery tour.
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This morning after breakfast, we travel by ferry from Oban to the island of Mull where we travel by bus across this scenic island before boarding our small ferry for a short sail to the island of Iona.
This is a traveling day of pilgrimage with so much to experience! After checking into our hotel we will have time to relax and to explore the area before we gather for dinner. Perhaps you will want to sit by the sea, explore the Nunnery, walk to Martyr’s Bay, or have a first view of the history Iona Abbey.
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Meet for breakfast together at our hotel as well gather to prepare for our day.
This is a day of exploring Iona with a visit to the Nunnery, Iona Abbey, St. Oran chapel, and the Iona cemetery. There’s time to stop in the cloistered, gift shop, and history center of the Abbey. Take time to consider the life of the monks and other religious communities that have resided for centuries on Iona.
Our group will meet before dinner at our hotel. The Abbey is open for services morning and evening as is Bishop’s House, a retreat center near our hotel. We will have the opportunity to attend services for those who would like to join. Iona also has a small Catholic chapel and a Church of Scotland with services offered when a minister is in residence.
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Breakfast together and meeting in our gathering space with time to reflect on our pilgrimage and the spirituality and Celtic heritage of Iona. We will plan for a walking meditation and have the opportunity to explore more about life on Iona.
Today we can have conversation and visits with artists and artisans of Iona. Perhaps you will decide to walk to north shore to watch sea birds, large waves, and a beautiful sunset at the end of the day.
We will be together for dinner and have a group meeting at our hotel.
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Today is our day to travel to 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, artisan studios, or to write and reflect in the gardens of our hotel or by the shore..
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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. For those who wish to walk to Columba’s bay, we will start out early as this will be a full day hike to the bay and back. Collect stones, walk the labyrinth, notice the challenge of St. Columba’s arrival at this rocky shore before 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. The pilgrimage continues as we each journey home with much to be grateful for.
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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. A refund of this balance is available up to 60 days prior to the trip. After this time, there is a 50% refund, with no refund possible after 30 days pre-trip.
Travel insurance is highly recommended through Allianz, Travelez or another trusted provider.
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Hotel accommodations for 7 nights; 2 in Oban and 5 on the island of Iona.
Breakfast and walking tour while in Oban.
Ferry and bus transportation from Oban to Mull and Iona.
Breakfast and dinner daily at our hotel on Iona.
Visit to Iona Abbey, St. Oran’s chapel, and the Nunnery. Walking tours by Pilgrim at Heart to sites on Iona.
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 are not included.
Any optional site visits, such as the distillery in Oban, are not included.
While dinner is included on Iona, dinner is not included in Oban and lunches are not included.
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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. While all of our walking is near the sea, Iona has some hills and rocky areas.
For those walking to Columba’s Bay, the journey is a full day of walking and exploration requiring good footwear and preparation for a longer day of walking.
Consider a visit to Edinburgh before or after 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 Castle square, explore Princes’ Street Gardens and visit St.Giles Cathedral. There are options to tour the interior of the Castle, Holyrood House, and the many museums, shops, and Harry Potter sites in the center of Edinburgh.
Option for 2 nights in Edinburgh:
Orient yourself to being in Scotland by spending two nights in Edinburgh before traveling by train to Oban on the west coast. 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.
For some journeys, the time in Edinburgh may be added at the end of the Iona Pilgrimage if the group prefers.
Two days is just enough time for an introduction to this beautiful, cultural city. Two nights stay, double occupancy is $850 per person.
Please note that August is pricier in Edinburgh due to annual events of the Royal Tattoo, the Fringe Festival, and the Book Festival. While this is an exciting time to be in Edinburgh, during this time a cost increase of $100-150 may be added due to increased hotel costs.
While many Fringe Festival performances are offered without cost by musicians on the streets of Edinburgh, there are many paid events. If travelers are interested in attending the Royal Tattoo, tickets need to be purchased well in advance at a cost of approximately $100 per person.
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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.
Please note that during August, accommodations are more expensive and an additional $100 will be added for a shared room and $50 for a single.
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Hotel accommodations in the central area of Edinburgh.
Daily breakfast at our hotel.
An on and off bus tour of Edinburgh on our arrival day.
A guided walking tour along the Royal Mile.
Open time to visit Princes’ Street Gardens, the Palace of Holyrood House, the Edinburgh Castle, and the museums of Edinburgh. These are at an additional cost. Some sites require advance booking.
Our group will have time to visit St. Giles Cathedral and see the exhibits. There is an optional donation for this visit.
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The cost does not include transportation to and from the hotel in Edinburgh from the airport or train.
Entry to paid sites such as the Castle or the Palace of Holyrood House is not included.
Lunch and dinner are not included in Edinburgh.
Train or bus transportation to Oban is not included, but can be coordinated for group members to travel together.
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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 or other adjacent hilltops takes 90 minutes one way and offers spectacular views.
