History & Heritage
History is never far away on Iona. Across the island, ancient places of worship, carved stones and historic buildings tell the story of generations who have lived, travelled and worshipped here. Iona’s connection with St Columba and its place in Scotland’s Christian heritage have drawn visitors for centuries, and many of those stories can still be explored on foot today. St Columba Hotel has its own place within that history too, with a story on the island stretching back to the mid-19th century.
Centuries of stories, all around you
Discover Iona’s Heritage
Perhaps the best-known part of Iona’s history is its religious heritage, with the island long associated with pilgrimage and worship. Iona Abbey remains at the heart of that story. Today, visitors can explore the Abbey and its surroundings, while the neighbouring Reilig Odhráin – the burial place of many Scottish kings – offers another connection with the island’s remarkable past. Beyond the Abbey, historic crosses and places of worship can be found throughout the island, making Iona somewhere that rewards taking your time and exploring on foot.
STOries of island life
Iona’s heritage is about more than its best-known landmarks. The island has been home to generations of people, and the story of everyday life here is an important part of understanding Iona today.
The Iona Heritage Centre, housed in the former manse beside the Parish Church, shares an insight into the lives of the island’s people over past centuries. Elsewhere, historic buildings continue to form part of everyday island life. Even the building that now houses our St Columba Larder has its own story, having previously been home to a printing press, bookshop and, briefly, celebrated Scottish colourist Cadell.
our own story on iona
The history of St Columba Hotel begins in 1846, when the original building was constructed as the Free Church Manse for the church at Martyr’s Bay. Its first residents were the Reverend Donald McVean and his family, and the earliest known image of the building dates from 1850. In May 1868, the lease passed to Captain and Mrs Ritchie. Captain Ritchie had previously operated coastal smacks from Tobermory, where he ran the Mishnish Hotel, and the Ritchie family ran the hotel on Iona until 1902. The building has continued to evolve ever since.
In 1902, the MacKenzies made the first addition to the hotel, adding a new dining room and a separate four-bedroom northern annex. Further changes followed over the decades, including the extension of the main building in 1957 to create what is now the Abbey Wing. More than 175 years after the original building was constructed, those different chapters remain part of the hotel you see today.
AN island connection that continues
St Columba’s story has passed through many hands, but its connection with Iona has remained.
In 1997, the hotel was purchased by a group of people who had used it for conferences, forming the Friends of Iona Society. In 2004, it was purchased by an Iona-based partnership of ten individuals, beginning the community-connected ownership that continues today. The following winter, a small consortium came together to form St Columba Hotel Limited, with the aim of involving as much community ownership as possible alongside people with experience in the industry.
That sense of connection remains an important part of the hotel today. We are owned and managed by people who live, or have lived, on Iona or who have a close personal connection with the island.
Experience the story for yourself
One of the pleasures of staying on Iona is that its history isn’t confined to a museum or a single landmark. It can be found in the Abbey, along old paths and among buildings that have stood here for generations. It is part of the landscape, the community and the stories that continue to be shared today. From St Columba Hotel, much of it is waiting just beyond the door.