Traigh Bhan, Iona
Our retreat house on the small sacred Isle of Iona on the West Coast of Scotland
Welcome to Iona!
The remote Isle of Iona has long been revered for its profound spiritual significance and beauty, earning its reputation as Scotland's holiest island.
A brief history
The Isle of Iona’s recognition as a place of spiritual power likely goes back thousands of years. However, probably the most significant recognition was when the Celtic Christian missionary, Saint Columba, established Iona Abbey in the 6th century. After the abbey’s abandonment during the Reformation in the 16th century, it was restored by the Iona Community in the early 20th century.
Later, in 1972, the Findhorn Foundation was gifted the house Traigh Bhan by Jessica Ferreira. The house was built in 1923 and the sanctuary Jessica and Lucy Bruce established in 1960 for their daily meditation is the very same room we meditate in today.
Traigh Bhan in pictures
“The Light within the Traigh Bhan Sanctuary grows and spreads by blending with the Light and the lives of all who visit, both in body and in spirit.”
The Isle of Iona
The Isle of Iona is situated in the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland and is known for its rugged and varied geography. From dramatic coastal cliffs created by the ancient rock structures beneath the soil, to tranquil beaches with white sand and multicoloured pebble beaches, it has a special, wild beauty.
The island is small, spanning about 6 miles long and 1.5 miles wide, and its location in the North Atlantic creates strong winds, causing the weather to change very fast. It can sometimes feel like four seasons in one day! So make sure to bring clothes for every kind of weather.
Iona Abbey
Iona Abbey is one of the most significant and ancient Christian sites in Western Europe. Founded by St. Columba in 563 AD as a monastic community, it became centre of Christian learning and missionary work in Scotland and Northern England. The abbey may have been where the famous medieval Book of Kells was originally written. For centuries, it was an important religious pilgrimage site.
Over time however, the abbey suffered attacks from Viking and fell into disrepair in the Reformation during the 16th century. For almost 400 years it lay in ruins until it was restored in the 20th century, in a project led by the Iona Community. Today, Iona Abbey and the Isle of Iona is once again a popular pilgrimage site for many people around the world.
