13 May 2009: Iona Abbey

On 12 May AD 563, after being exiled from Ireland, Colum Cille (St Columba) established a monastery on Iona.  He became a major figure in Scottish early history, credited with introducing Christianity to the Picts.  His legacy survives as Iona remains a focus for Christian pilgrimage.

Founded shortly before 1203 on the site of the original Columban monastery, the Benedictine Abbey on Iona comprised a church dedicated to St Mary and a monastery dedicated to St Columba.  Many buildings were damaged in 1561 during the Protestant Reformation and by the end of the 17th century the site had fallen into ruins.  Restoration work began at the end of the 19th century, and in 1938, the newly formed Iona Community took over the running of the abbey that remains today.