Iona Heritage Centre
Small museum in the former manse on Iona about island life since 1700, with photographs, family-history resources, a gift shop and a café.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Iona Heritage Centre is housed in the former Church of Scotland manse, which was designed together with the neighbouring church by Thomas Telford. When Iona's minister retired in 1985, the parish was linked with others and the manse fell empty. After a publicity and fund-raising campaign, the Church of Scotland leased the building to a group of trustees drawn from island residents and church members.
The centre opened to visitors in 1990. Its exhibition of panels, photographs and objects shows island life since about 1700, including the fishing and crofting community, the school and churches, artists, craftworkers, visitors and memorable events. Visitors can also look through old photographs, search family trees for ancestors who emigrated, and read about the geology and wild flowers of the island.
A lunchtime tearoom that began in the MacInnes Room has become the Rookery Café. The centre is a Scottish charity run by trustees on behalf of the islanders, and it covers its running costs through café rent, shop sales and visitor donations.
Highlights
- Exhibition on island life since 1700
- Old photographs and family-tree research
- Information on the geology and wild flowers of Iona
- Rookery Café and gift shop in the same building
Permanent exhibition
- Island life on Iona since 1700 – Panels, photographs and objects about the fishing and crofting community, school, churches, artists and notable island families and events, plus the geology and wild flowers of Iona.
- Founded
- 1990
- Operated by
- Iona Heritage Centre (Scottish charity SC015292)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
No admission charge is listed. The centre relies on visitor donations, café rent and shop sales; donations can be made in cash or by card.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The centre is just off the main road from the village to the Abbey. From the jetty, walk up the hill facing you and cut through the Nunnery; the centre is on the left as you leave it.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The Rookery Café, run by a separate operator, is inside the centre and serves daily specials, soup, home baking and hot and cold drinks. The gift shop sells cards, books and gifts, many of them related to Iona.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The exhibition consists of panels, photographs and objects. Family-tree resources are available for people tracing ancestors from the island. |
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