

The Isle of Iona is home to only about 130 residents, but with 100+ guests per week, up to 30 volunteers at any given time, and about 20 resident staff working at the two centres used by the Iona Community – the Abbey and the Macleod Centre – and the hundreds of touristy visitors that explore the island each day, the village becomes a hub of life. Iona Community members are dispersed across the whole world, although the offices are based in Glasgow (http://iona.org.uk/).
![]() |
The pilgrimage |
![]() |
Oban |
I was only on Iona for six weeks, the shortest stretch of time one can volunteer for, working on the housekeeping team in the Macleod Centre. My working days consisted mainly of meal set-up (all except the food itself), clearing/washing up at the end of each meal, a constant stream of laundry ranging from bedsheets to towels to volunteers’ clothing, training guests in their chores during their stay, and on turnover days, cleaning the centre from top to bottom. Days off often involved trips off the island – once to the puffin island of Staffa, twice for walks/hikes around the Isle of Mull, once to Oban on mainland Scotland – or adventures around the island, joining the guests for the weekly pilgrimage or making my own way around. A short walk to the North End or elsewhere on the island could take you to what feels like the most secluded spot in the world. I rediscovered the joy of reading fiction!
The vision for the two centres is to build a brand new community,of staff, volunteers and guests, each week. This involves worshipping together at the daily morning and evening services, eating together, sharing in daily chores or tasks, and making that conscious effort to get to know one another. Community happens quickly, with a core continuity of people each week, and its yet inherently different each week, due to the different combination of people engaging in it. It’s a dynamic, evolving phenomenon which brings so much joy and challenge to everyone who is part of it. All are invited and welcomed to join!
Elinor Rhys
Ah! I’ve never been to Iona – I want to go there – NOW!
Wonderful pictures and a wonderful picture in words. Diolch
How much free time did you usually get off in a week? 🙂
We had a day and a half off each week, and worked 7.5 hour days, with varying shifts. With my role being focused on meal times, I often had 2-3 hours off in the afternoon then went back to work at dinner time. Everything else was our own time to experience community life as we wished.