When we embark on a pilgrimage to a sacred place it is natural that transformation, healing and awakening occurs.
Iona, off the coast of Scotland, is one such place.
George MacLeod described Iona as a “thin place,” where the material and spiritual worlds seem separated only by the thinnest of veils.
It is the place where we can be both of heaven and of the earth.
Barely three miles long and one mile wide, this small sacred isle holds a profound peace and breathtaking beauty that touches everyone who goes there. St. Columba (or Colum Cille, in Gaelic) established the first Celtic Church and monastic community here in 563 CE. We will look to Celtic Christian traditions and ancient spiritual practices to deepen our own connection to the sacred. To embark on a pilgrimage is a calling, one that our ancestors understood before us. We will walk the land of Iona together as pilgrims, wandering to special places on the island to embrace the wilderness and to pray with nature.
For a 7-night / 8-day once in a lifetime transformational journey. We welcome people of all faiths or non-faiths as the voice of the Great Mystery knows no denomination.
Each day you will be led through experiences that:
Collectively and individually, we will listen for the whispers of the sacred within ourselves, the land, water, plants, animals, Iona Abby, each other, and sacred locations that have been prayed over for thousands of years.
You will be supported with your pilgrimage from the moment you sign-up through your return home. You will receive travel recommendations, packing lists, practices to prepare for your journey, suggested reading, and more.
You will meet Wendy and Kathleen in Oban. Travel to Iona is a pilgrimage in itself; we’ll travel together by ferry, coach across the island, and another ferry to arrive on Iona. Oban is a three-hour train journey from Glasgow; we recommend that you arrive in Oban on Friday and stay overnight at your choice of hotel or B&B to avoid a very early-morning train journey from Glasgow.
Morning: Create openness as we arise to experience the sacred. (Rising of the new day sun in the east – opening ourselves to new possibilities of connecting with the sacred within and around us.) Begin the day with prayer, meditation, or gentle movement. People of all spiritual traditions, or no tradition, are welcome. Following morning service and breakfast, we’ll explore our theme using movement, reflection, journaling, and connection through the island.
Midday: Embodied wisdom and Sacred alchemy (deep connection within and the land -spaciousness for the inner work of the soul) Lunch will be followed by an afternoon break with time for personal reflection, wandering the island, or rest.
What is included in the price:
What is not included in the price:
“Our week on Iona was simply magical – in every way possible. It nurtured & fed my spirit and soul. Wendy & Kathleen are truly amazing trip leaders. Their joy & enthusiasm are infectious. I have been on many retreats and I can honestly say that this one was the best!” – Jeanne
“Is it possible to fall in love with a group of strangers in one week? Absolutely. I came with my wife, and I wasn’t practicing Yoga, however, I learned so much as I participated in the gentle flow Yoga. What a great balance of gentle Yoga and nature walks. My body and soul were refreshed. I made beautiful friendships.” – Ken B.
“The Iona pilgrimage was a delight from start to finish. Iona itself–the deep well of ancient spiritual history there, the wonderful hospitality of the Bishop’s House, the beauty of the natural landscape there–the rocks and sky, the water and beaches, the sheep, the Abbey. The walks we took all over the island were made so accessible with our wonderful nature guide Kathleen who led us to places I’m not sure I could have found on my own. The yoga–relaxed, creative, all levels friendly so joyfully led by Wendy, The spiritual conversations and explorations led by both Kathleen and Wendy. All of that was amazing…add to that the flexible, generous, open spirited way they both led our group through all of it made it one of the most rewarding, nourishing retreat experiences I have ever had.” – Janet
“If I had traveled to Iona on my own, rather than experiencing the Bishop’s House and with the guidance of Kathleen and Wendy, I would have missed out on so much. The friendships, the history of pilgrimage, the treks across the island, the yoga by the sea, daily Eucharist and Compline, all of that I would probably have missed. The beauty of the Island and the memories of this trip will be calling me back. As a man we met on the train as we left Oban described it, Iona is a taste of the hereafter.” – Kim
“Everything about that week thrilled and blessed me. In the throes of a divorce, I genuinely needed the time alone to meditate and ponder. You provided that beautifully.” – David
We’ll have exclusive use of Bishop’s House retreat center. Expect simple, comfortable, and cozy accommodation, bathrooms with a private tub or shower shared among a few guests. We’ll be asked to help set and clear away dishes from the table, and help with a few very simple housekeeping tasks before we depart.
There are a limited number of single rooms available. Register early to reserve one of these. If you are traveling with a companion please let us know this when you register. If you are traveling on your own and would like to share a room, we are happy to match you with a roommate.
All three meals – breakfast, lunch, and dinner – are included and served at Bishop’s House for the duration of our retreat.
Food is home-cooked, traditional Scottish fare served family style; expect wholesome and hearty but basic meals: fish, meat, or poultry, cooked vegetables or salad, soups and fresh-baked bread. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available; if you have a specific food allergy the staff will do their best to accommodate. Tea, coffee, and herbal teas are freely available. You are welcome to enjoy meals out at one of several wonderful restaurants on the island serving higher-end meals, including local organic produce. A guest-use refrigerator is also available. There is no alcohol served at Bishop’s House, but participants are welcome to bring their own alcohol for thoughtful consumption on the premises, or enjoy a visit to the local pub!
WiFi is available in the library and lounge.
Although all your necessary expenses are included in the pilgrimage fee, Iona has a number of wonderful craft and artisan shops, an excellent bookshop, and several cafes, restaurants, and a pub, so you may want to budget accordingly! There is limited access to ATMs on the island, though you can pay with a debit or credit card in most shops.
For US and Canadian citizens: Phones and laptops require a simple outlet adapter. Hair dryers are available from Bishop’s House, if needed. If you have any medical equipment that requires use of an electrical outlet, such as a CPAP, please let us know in advance so we can help you plan accordingly.
Scotland is often rainy and cool but there can also be sunny and warmer days especially in August. It is a temperate climate and rarely gets very hot or very cold, although the damp and wind can make it feel colder.
At a minimum, bring sturdy, water-resistant walking shoes and a waterproof jacket; we recommend waterproof boots, water-resistant hiking trousers or rain pants, and a really good rain jacket! You may also want to bring a simple day pack, water bottle, and a head torch, in case you want to ramble home after dark.
Iona is a completely walkable island, and you can’t experience its full beauty without some walking. We will include different outings to sites on the island as part of our retreat experience. We recommend that you be able to walk about 2-3 miles over uneven ground in order to participate fully in this part of our experience.
The deposit of $500 is an administrative fee that secures your space in this intimate retreat and is nonrefundable. There are no exceptions to the refund policy. As this is a once in a lifetime pilgrimage we expect this to sell out quickly. If you are called to this special place please do not delay. The balance of the program fee is due by February 1st, 2025 and is nonrefundable after that time. We HIGHLY SUGGEST that you obtain travel insurance to include trip cancellation (“cancel for any reason” coverage will give you the widest leeway for cancellation), which will cover financial losses from any personal emergencies or other events which require your cancellation.
In the unlikely event that we either do not have enough participants registered six months prior (by the final payment due date) or if there is an emergency which prevents us from leading the experience, all of your retreat fees paid will be refunded. However, we are not responsible for any other losses, including travel expenses, which you may incur due to this cancellation.
We recommend flying into Glasgow airport. (You can fly into Edinburgh, though it is a longer train ride from Oban, and you may need to change trains in Glasgow.) From Glasgow Airport you can take a shuttle bus into the center of town. Trains to Oban depart from Queen Street Train Station, and it’s just a few hundred feet from the Oban train terminal to the ferry. You can buy your train tickets in advance to save some money, or you can purchase them at the time of departure. It takes about three hours to make the journey to Oban by train. Although it is possible to take a bus from Glasgow to Oban, we highly recommend the train as it’s more comfortable, and a beautiful journey!
