Iona Abbey

Take a ferry ride to Iona and discover one of Scotland’s most sacred sites.

This small island by Mull has been a vibrant centre of Christian worship ever since St. Columba arrived in AD 563. Despite Viking raids, Columba’s monastery survived until the end of the 12th century. In the early 1200s, the sons of Somerled, ‘King of the Isles’, founded a Benedictine abbey here. Pilgrimage to St Columba’s Shrine continued to develop, although monastic life on Iona ended with the Protestant Reformation of 1560.

The Abbey may close at short notice due to weather-related ferry disruptions. Please check the ferry crossing status before travelling. We recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry. 

Opening Times:

1 April to 30 September: Daily, 9.30am (12.30pm pm Sunday) to last entry at 4.45pm (closes 5.30pm)

1 October to 31 March: Daily except Sunday, 10am to 3.15.pm (closes 4pm).

Closed from 24 December, open 29-31 December, closed 1-2 January