INFORMATION SHEET FOR GUESTS
We have prepared this sheet to help make your stay
on Iona and your travel to and from the island as
enjoyable and comfortable as possible.
TRAVEL
Attached is our current travel timetable giving connections between buses and trains on the mainland, and ferries and buses to Mull and Iona. There is no need to book on the Oban to Mull ferry unless you are bringing a car to Mull, in which case you should book through Caledonian MacBrayne, The Ferry Terminal, Oban (tel: 0990 650000, fax: 01475 635235 or ). The small ferry between Fionnphort and Iona is for foot passengers only (with the exception of Iona residents and some trades people), so cars and motor bikes must be left in the large open air car park at the back of Fionnphort village before boarding the ferry. Bicycles are permitted but cannot be used off-road.
The pier at Oban is very close to where the buses and trains stop, and you will have to walk only about 150 yards between the two forms of transport. The coach (Bowmans) for Iona/Fionnphort will be standing at the top of the pier at Craignure and the journey across Mull terminates a few yards from where you board the ferry for Iona. These short distances make it fairly easy for you to manage more ‘optional’ items of luggage, such as musical instruments. You can leave luggage in Oban station lockers if you want to walk around Oban before the ferry/train leaves. If you let us know what time you will be travelling, we will book a seat for you on the coach across Mull (you pay the driver) and our van will be waiting at the top of the Iona jetty to transport your luggage up the road. For those travelling by car and arriving at odd times we cannot guarantee to meet you, although we shall do our best if you give a specific time of arrival on Iona, e.g: “off the ferry leaving Fionnphort at 1615”. If our van is not available when you land, just put your luggage in the wooden container in front of the public toilets and we will collect it later. If you plan to take the 1715 ferry from Oban you may find it better to eat on that ferry and enjoy a more relaxed arrival at the MacLeod Centre, although we can keep some tea warm for you if you let us know that you need this. Please fill in and return the form below to let us know about your travel plans, or email
WHAT TO BRING
Like weather anywhere in Britain, the weather on Iona is unpredictable - and life is lived more in the open, so those staying here are more at the mercy of the elements than they would be at home. It can be hot, or very cold, wet and windy!
Guest telephone contact numbers: Abbey 01681-700343 / MacLeod Centre 01681-700565
It is useful to bring / ......
TRAVEL PLANS – please post this, or email
NAME ...... DATE OF ARRIVAL ......
TIME OF ARRIVAL: ......
Guests are encouraged to arrive after 1430 and before 1730 (if possible.)
You can reach Iona by 1500 if you depart Glasgow on the 0800 bus or train.
Do you require us to book a seat for you on the bus leaving Craignure at 1320 and connecting with the 1230 ferry from Oban to Mull ? (This gets you to Iona around 1500 in time for our welcome tea)
YES / NO ......
Or on any other bus across Mull on the day of arrival? ......
If you are taking the 1715 Oban ferry, do you require us to keep you a late meal ? YES / NO ......
Please note that we cannot keep a meal for you unless you let us know that you need one
GUESTS INFORMATION SHEET / page 2
It is useful to bring both warm clothing and light summer clothing at any time in the Abbey / MacLeod Centre season. You will also need to bring:
Soap and towel
Good rainwear, preferably including waterproof trousers
A change of footwear, including shoes/boots you could comfortably wear for a long walk
Waterproof / wellington boots (you may need these for getting on and off the ferry)
Torch (there are no street lights on Iona)
Swimming costume (if you are a competent swimmer)
Napkin (if you wish to use one)
Musical instrument if you play one
Any books, poems, readings or songs which you feel might contribute to the week’s programme
Please ensure that your luggage is watertight to protect against rain or sea-spray.
Historic Scotland now manage the grounds and fabric of the Abbey and Nunnery and they charge an entrance fee at the main gate to the Abbey. You will not be charged if you advise their staff on the gate that you are coming to stay in the Abbey or MacLeod Centre for the week.
Please note that we are unable to offer cash in exchange for cheques. There are no banks or ATMs on the island – the closest banks are in Oban, on the mainland. The local post office is able to cash cheques from Giro, Alliance & Leicester, Lloyds, Co-Op and First Direct banks (no other banks) if accompanied by a valid cheque card, and one of the local shops will give cash-back on credit cards if you purchase something. Otherwise please bring enough cash with you.
As those who have been before know well, a week here is not a serious-minded conference with endless discussions, and with meals etc. provided by invisible hands. We do not offer lectures or conference centre type facilities. Nor is it a retreat. It is a week living in community, and those who stay in the Abbey or MacLeod Centre are a full part of the community for the week. As well as sessions on the topic of the week, there will be shared work. All sorts of housekeeping chores that need to be done to keep things going are shared by the guests, and the time for this is allocated to fit in with all the other calls on time. Accommodation is in shared single-sex small dormitories. There is worship twice a day, and sometimes three times a day in the summer, and guests may be invited to take part in preparing and leading some of that worship.
There are evening social events too, and a chance for people to enjoy themselves and also to make use of whatever performing talents they have (beware - people who thought they had none, have still found themselves acting, reciting, singing and dancing - and laughing!)
Apart from the organised pilgrimage (7 mile all day walk) round the island on Tuesday, there is plenty of other time to wander round the island, and to bathe or swim if you are a sufficiently good swimmer. Weather permitting, it is possible to visit the Isle of Staffa with its Fingal’s Cave. There may a film or video show on some nights; we have a well-stocked and interesting library - and if you have any energy left over, there is a dance in the village hall !
There is an electric scooter for the disabled – please speak to a member of staff if you would like to make us of this.
In short, you live here for a week and life is as full as you want to make it !