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Iona Abbey and Nunnery

Overall rating

3.33

Review this place

Picture of Iona Abbey and Nunnery, Isle of iona

Picture of Iona Abbey and Nunnery, Isle of iona

Picture of Iona Abbey and Nunnery, Isle of iona

Picture of Iona Abbey and Nunnery, Isle of iona

About

This ancient holy place remains a vibrant centre of Christianity. Founded by St Columba in 563, the early monastery on Iona was a powerhouse of Christian learning. Great works of art were created here, including the world - famous Book of Kells. Thriving despite Viking raids, the abbey was transformed into a Benedicitine monastery in about 1200. Its buildings were restored in the 1900s and in 1938 the Iona Community was founded to revive its traditions of work, worship and teaching. Highlights include the abbey church, iconic high crosses, Columba's shrine and the site of the saint's writing cell. Iona also boasts Scotland's finest collection of carved stones and crosses, now on display in the Abbey Museum. 1 Apr to 30 Sept: Mon to Sat, 9.30am to 5.30pm Sun, 12.30pm to 5.30pm Last entry 4.45pm 1 Oct to 28 Mar: Mon to Sat, 10am to 4pm Sun, 12.30pm to 4pm Last entry 3.30pm The abbey may close at short notice due to weather disruption to the ferry service. We recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry

Reviews

Overall rating

3.33

(3 reviews)

Overall rating breakdown

5 0
4 2
3 0
2 1
1 0

Access (avg.)

3.16

Parking (avg.)

4.16

Toilets (avg.)

0.83

Staff (avg.)

3.33

tinahodgkinson

Jun 2024

4

4

Iona Abbey

Iona Abbey is a very special place and was founded by St Columba in 563. The original abbey was constructed of wood and does not survive. The Benedictine abbey was built in the mid-fifteenth century and was restored in the twentieth century. Visitors can see the Abbey, cloister, high crosses, museum and grounds. There is reasonable step free access to most of the site although inside the Abbey itself very disappointingly it has very limited step free access. Despite some limitations in access this is a very unique place, don't be put off. I would say if it is on your wish list (as it was on mine) with a bit of planning it is very do-able. It's an exceptional place to visit, I loved my visit and nothing detracted from its magic, and I am so happy that I went. This is a review for Iona Abbey only. See my separate review for the Nunnery. Although the admission ticket is combined, they are two separate sites.

Iona Abbey is a very special place and was founded by St Columba in 563. The original abbey was constructed of wood and does not survive. The Benedictine abbey was built in the mid-fifteenth century and was restored in the twentieth century. Visitors can see the Abbey, cloister, high crosses, museum and grounds. There is reasonable step free access to most of the site although inside the Abbey itself very disappointingly it has very limited step free access. Despite some limitations in access this is a very unique place, don't be put off. I would say if it is on your wish list (as it was on mine) with a bit of planning it is very do-able. It's an exceptional place to visit, I loved my visit and nothing detracted from its magic, and I am so happy that I went. This is a review for Iona Abbey only. See my separate review for the Nunnery. Although the admission ticket is combined, they are two separate sites.

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tinahodgkinson

Apr 2024

4

4

Step free access to Nunnery Review is well worth exploring

An Augustinian nunnery was built in the mid-twelve century, about the same time the Abbey was rebuilt. Today the building is a well preserved ruin managed by Historic Environmental Scotland. This is a review for Iona Abbey only. See my separate review for the Nunnery. Although the admission ticket is combined, they are two separate sites.

An Augustinian nunnery was built in the mid-twelve century, about the same time the Abbey was rebuilt. Today the building is a well preserved ruin managed by Historic Environmental Scotland. This is a review for Iona Abbey only. See my separate review for the Nunnery. Although the admission ticket is combined, they are two separate sites.

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meb

Jun 2021

2

2

Iona Abbey

Up a steep hill from the ferry terminal. Paths round the abbey uneven with some potholes. Inside the Abbey church is wheelchair accessible from the cloisters but only on the main level. No step-free access to choir or majority of areas in the building. Description provided is pretty accurate. There are no toilets in the Community Shop at the moment, so use the public toilets by the Ferry in the village before you climb the hill to the Abbey.

Up a steep hill from the ferry terminal. Paths round the abbey uneven with some potholes. Inside the Abbey church is wheelchair accessible from the cloisters but only on the main level. No step-free access to choir or majority of areas in the building. Description provided is pretty accurate. There are no toilets in the Community Shop at the moment, so use the public toilets by the Ferry in the village before you climb the hill to the Abbey.

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Contact

+ 01681 700 512

Iona Abbey and Nunnery Website

Location

Isle of Iona, Isle of Iona, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, United Kingdom, PA76 6SQ

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