Iona 2013

2013 is the 1450th anniversary of Columba’s arrival on Iona as well as 75 years since the Iona Community was founded and 25 years since the MacLeod Centre was opened.

Historic Scotland have committed to a redisplay project at the Abbey to be opened on 19th May 2013. (the abbey istelf is open)

This is Pentecost and the day traditionally associated with Columba’s arrival. Work on this project has been underway for sometime and the recent conference was an opportunity for experts to present their material and for it to be discussed. This will form the basis for the interpretation.

Although 2013 provides a focus for work at the Abbey, this project will continue beyond 2013 to improve visitor facilities at both the Abbey and the Nunnery and also to develop the partnership with the local community and other agencies.

Aside from this work, the only event confirmed for 2013 is the service on the 19th May. This will be a joint service with all the island’s religious organisations and held in the Abbey. The Iona Community are keen to have a series of events between then and the 9th June, Columba’s Day and are working on developing a programme. They will celebrate their anniversary in Govan rather than Iona on the 9th June but will still have a presence on the island.

Confirmed so far is a play in Iona Village Hall on the 18^th and 19^th May entitled An Island between Heaven and Earth written by Alistair Rutherford and performed by Cutting Edge Theatre Productions.

‘In 1938 a group of unemployed shipyard workers and young trainee church ministers arrive on the remote island of Iona to restore the ruined monastery buildings surrounding the medieval Abbey. Witness a journey through time, social class, friendship and understanding.’

Admission is �10 and it will start at 7.30pm.