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Episcopal Diocese of Newark Pilgrimage to Iona with Bishop Hughes

The island of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland, is the symbolic center of Scottish Christianity. Through 1400 years of history its fortunes have fluctuated, from its heights as one of the greatest centers of learning in medieval Europe, to its lows as a crumbling ruin. However, thanks to the fame of its monastic founder, St Columba, the island has always been revered as a holy place, and, over the centuries, Iona has continually been reinvented and reconstructed as a center for pilgrimage. Iona's fame began in 563AD when Columba, with thirteen followers, landed at the south end of the island, at St Columba's Bay, to establish a monastery. Time can be spent exploring Iona with the option to join in with the Iona Community and attend daily services in Iona Abbey.

 

Itinerary

  1. INDEPENDENT TRAVEL TO GLASGOW (D, DR)

    Make your own way to Glasgow with check-in from 3pm onwards on Saturday 29 May at our Glasgow hotel. On arrival you’ll be met by a McCabe tour manager who will be with you throughout your tour until you return to Glasgow. If arriving earlier than 3pm, luggage storage will be available until your room is ready. This evening, enjoy an included pre-dinner drink followed by dinner at the hotel.

  2. GLASGOW – WORSHIP AND GUIDED TOUR (B, D)

    After breakfast transfer to Glasgow Cathedral to join Morning Worship at 11am. After free time for lunch there will be a guided tour of Glasgow. Dinner at the hotel.

  3. SCENIC DRIVE AND FERRY TO IONA (B, D, DR)

    An early start this morning with a beautiful drive through spectacular scenery through the Trossachs National Park along the shores of Loch Lomond. We stop enroute for a cruise sailing north past waterfalls and taking in the sprawling glens and rocky peaks of the Arrochar Alps. A stop will be made for lunch.

    We then continue to Oban, gateway to the isles where you will take the scenic ferry crossing as foot passengers from Oban to Craignure on Mull. From Craignure we’ll drive to Fionnphort and get our first glimpse of Iona! After another short foot passenger ferry crossing we arrive on Iona.

    A short walk takes us to the St. Columba Hotel for a five night stay. After a welcome drink and dinner this evening there is a service of Justice and Peace at Iona Abbey at 9pm if you wish to attend.

  4. ON THE SACRED ISLE OF IONA (B, L, D)

    After breakfast you can choose to join Morning Prayer at 9am at Iona Abbey. We then meet for a tour of Iona Abbey where the Museum houses Scotland’s finest collection of early medieval carved stones and crosses. After an included lunch in the hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your leisure, spending time in quiet contemplation. Before dinner at the hotel there will be an opportunity to meet a member of the Iona Community. After dinner there is a service of Prayers for Healing at the Abbey at 9pm for those who wish to attend.

  5. ON THE SACRED ISLE OF IONA (B, D)

    Another day on the beautiful island. You may choose to attend the morning service at the Abbey at 9am, with the rest of the morning being free for reflection and exploration. In the afternoon we visit the Iona Heritage Centre where we learn about island life over the last few centuries. There is a lot to see, so perhaps take a break in the Rookery Café, relax in the garden, browse the Gift Shop, or spend some quiet time in the historic Telford church. This evening catch up with your fellow pilgrims for dinner at the hotel and attend the evening service at the Abbey at 9pm. It will be an Agape Service or Evening Prayer.

  6. | ON THE SACRED ISLE OF IONA & STAFFA BOAT TRIP (B, D)

    Again you may choose to attend the morning service at 9am. This afternoon enjoy a tour to the most dramatic of all the Scottish islands: The Isle Of Staffa, with its hexagonal pillars and Fingal’s Cave. On the way to Staffa keep an eye out for dolphins, porpoises and minke whales which are often seen during the warmer months. The approach to Staffa by sea is breathtaking, with great basalt columns flanking the deep caves which have inspired so much praise. A large colony of puffins breed on Staffa every summer and are always a firm favorite with visitors who can see them congregate on the cliffs, diving into the water then return with a beak full of fish. Back on Iona, dinner at the hotel followed by our final visit to the Abbey at 9pm for the Service of Commitment.

  7. OUR FINAL DAY ON THE SACRED ISLE OF IONA (B, D, DR)

    One more full day to enjoy your surroundings and an optional guided walk will be offered today as well as morning and afternoon retreat sessions. Today we will also have a Eucharist. Join your fellow pilgrims this evening for a farewell drink and dinner at the hotel.

  8. TO GLASGOW (B, D)

    After breakfast we leave Iona for Mull. On arrival on Fionnphort, we board our coach and drive to Craignure from where we’ll sail back to Oban as foot passengers. Our final journey takes us back towards Glasgow and we will stop en route at Inverary on the banks of Loch Shira – free time to have lunch, explore and do some shopping. Dinner and overnight in Glasgow.

  9. DEPART GLASGOW (B)

    After breakfast, travel onward or to the airport independently.

    Worship & Reflection
    During the stay in Iona the Tour Chaplain will offer times of worship and reflection.

Essential Information

The price of this tour is from £3600 per person in a double, twin or single room.

The price does not include your international airfare to Glasgow which you must arrange to arrive by Saturday 29th May 2027.

*Prices published apply to all bookings made by 31 May 2026. As some costs for 2027 are still estimated, the price may increase for bookings made after 31 May 2026.

Glasgow is the ideal starting point for our journey to Iona. We will have a pre-dinner drink and dinner together at the hotel in Glasgow where we stay for two nights. We will be within walking distance of Glasgow Central Station.

Then we stay for five nights at the St Columba Hotel on Iona which is reserved exclusively for our group. All rooms are en-suite and each room comes with tea and coffee making facilities, a hairdryer and toiletries. Meals are served in the dining room, with beautiful views over the Sound of Iona.

The tour includes breakfast and dinner each day, one lunch, plus private motorcoach transportation, driver and tour manager, ferry crossings and all entry fees and gratuities.

We travel by private motorcoach from Glasgow to Oban and travel as foot passengers by ferry from Oban to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. On arrival we board our next motorcoach and travel to Fionnphort and catch the ferry as foot passengers to Iona. From here, we walk to the hotel, if you need assistance please ask (our luggage is transported for us).

Iona Room Prices:
£3600 for a standard room in Iona for one person with one single bed
(9 rooms available - see back page)

£3600 per person for a room in Iona for two people with double bed, twin beds or converted to a super king size and with sea view (see back page)

£3965 per person for a Superior room in Iona with twin beds or converted to a super king size and with sea view
(1 room available - see back page)

£3850 for one person to occupy a standard room in Iona with twin beds or converted to a super king size
(4 rooms available - see back page)

£4050 for one person to occupy a room in Iona with a double bed, twin beds or converted to a super king size with sea view (6 rooms available)

Payments: a non-refundable deposit of £500 per person is required at time of booking. 50% of the booking is due 6 months prior to departure. The final balance is due 12 weeks before departure.

Special Requests: should be noted at the time of booking including dietary, mobility and medical requests.

Final Travel Documents: will be sent to you two weeks before departure.

Late Bookings: please note that for bookings made within 12 weeks of departure, the price may increase due to the fluctuating cost of ferries and rooms. If this arises, we will always discuss this with you before processing your booking.

Travel insurance: this is essential and we require all travelers to have adequate travel insurance cover.

To reserve your place please click the BOOK NOW button above or call McCabe Toll Free from USA 1 888 474 8920 or send an e-mail. You can arrange payment of your non-refundable deposit by bank transfer (a charge of £7 per transaction will be included) or debit or credit card (a charge of 2.78% per debit card transaction and 3.18% per credit card will be charged). Bank transfer is the most cost efficient way to pay. To view our booking conditions, please visit:
https://www.mccabe-travel.co.uk/booking-conditions/

 

Practical information

St. Columba Hotel
A warm Hebridean welcome awaits you at the St. Columba Hotel on the beautiful isle of Iona. The perfect base for you to explore the islands sacred history and find your own sense of peace and tranquility. With just 27 rooms, the St. Columba is owned by a group of locals, former islanders, and individuals with a close connection to Iona, so you can be assured of the warmest welcome! They want you to experience the Iona they know and love, so whether you want to spot wildlife, find an amazing walking route or simply find the best place to watch the waves crash - you only have to ask. Meals are served in the dining room, with stunning views over the Sound of Iona. The Larder is situated directly across from the hotel. Inside you will find an array of carefully sourced artisan products from around Scotland, as well as takeaway refreshments. Your hotel room will have either a sea or inland view and comes with free Wi-Fi. All rooms have a bath or shower.

About McCabe Pilgrimages
McCabe has been arranging journeys of faith, culture and spirituality for over 40 years with an unwavering focus on attention to detail and service. With a deep understanding of the unique needs and aspirations of Christian travellers, McCabe strive to make every trip a memorable and meaningful experience.

McCabe Travel Ltd. trades as McCabe Pilgrimages. McCabe Travel Ltd. is registered in England and Wales. Registered No. 2125334. VAT No: 318527355. Registered office address: McCabe Travel, The Square, Basing View, Basingstoke, RG21 4EB.

The McCabe Educational Trust
The McCabe Educational Trust is an independent registered charity which was set up in 1991 to support Christian communities. To date the Trust
has distributed more than £4 million in grants. The Trust raises money by inviting all our travellers to make an optional £20 donation at the time
of booking. All money given in this way is given in full to the projects the Trust supports. This scheme is voluntary and confidential with nobody put under any pressure to participate.

Financial security
All monies paid are fully protected through McCabe’s membership of the ABTOT bonding scheme. In addition, McCabe are also members of the Association of Independent Tour Operators and abide by the Associations code of conduct.

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Dates

Our Programme Tour Leader Tour Dates Availability
Episcopal Diocese of Newark - Pilgrimage to Iona Prices from £3600 pp Bishop Hughes 29/05/2027 for 9 days Download brochure Book now Make an enquiry

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