Iona Community Refurbishment £400k Appeal

                                                                                                                          Tuesday October 16 2018

The first phase of a major refurbishment project at Iona Abbey has been completed – but a further £400,000 is needed by the end of the year to complete the revamp of residential and community space on the island.

The Iona Community has launched an appeal for the final tranche of money to allow the accommodation to reopen in time for Easter 2020.

Highlighting the importance of the project, the Rev Kathy Galloway, Co-Leader of the Iona Community, said: “The generosity of our members, friends and associates has made this progress possible, and we now just need help crossing the line of our fundraising campaign.

“The Iona Community welcomes around 1500 guests to the island each year, and we want to welcome people from all walks of life for generations to come.

“Raising the final £400,000 will mean we can complete and equip the living and community space and minimise the impact our closure has on the island’s economy.

“In the long-term, improved heating and insulation will mean we can extend our season to welcome more visitors and volunteers each year. At the moment, many rooms are too cold to use past October and before March.

“We need help now to cross the line so that we can safeguard Iona Abbey as a living place of hospitality, and ensure that thousands more people can visit this special place seeking sanctuary and inspiration.”

During 2018, the Iona Community’s accommodation and facilities on Iona have been made more accessible for visitors: bathrooms have been replaced to suit people with disabilities, a lift has been installed and lighting has been improved to create a safer environment in the 1930s accommodation, which was founded by the visionary George MacLeod (later Lord MacLeod of Fuinary).

The second phase of the project will involve linking the Community’s centre to the island’s renewable energy resources, installing a sustainable heating system, replacing electrics and refurbishing

the bedrooms, bathrooms and the refectory.

The Iona Community has already raised over £3.3m for the capital project on the island, including over 1300 individual donations, ranging from £2 to an unexpected £882,000 have been received. Over $1m was donated from friends and foundations in the USA.  

To find out more, visit https://iona.org.uk/capital-appeal-information/

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