A Sacred Journey to Iona
Come to Iona, Scotland — a small island in the Inner Hebrides long known as a place of pilgrimage and prayer.
Together we will spend a week immersed in the quiet beauty of this sacred landscape. Our days will include morning and evening prayer at the historic Iona Abbey, walks along ancient paths, shared meals, and time to explore the island’s beaches, hills, and coastline.
Weather permitting, participants may also take a short boat ride to the island of Staffa to visit Fingal’s Cave and watch puffins returning to their nests along the cliffs.
Pilgrimage Schedule
Travel Schedule
September 19
Meet in Glasgow
September 20
Travel together from Glasgow to Iona
September 20–25
Pilgrimage days on the island of Iona
September 25
Depart Iona and return to Glasgow
September 26
Travel home or continue onward journeys
Pilgrimage Leader
Led by Rev. Dr. Elaine A. Heath, this pilgrimage includes evening gatherings and conversations about the history and spirituality of Celtic Christianity and why these ancient traditions continue to speak to our world today.
After serving for decades in academic and pastoral ministry, Elaine co-founded and serves as the Abbess and lead farmer of Spring Forest, a new monastic, mission community in the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. A veteran innovator in theological education and in fostering new faith communities, Elaine works with clergy and non-profit leaders, theology students, and others who are seeking to develop a more contextual, holistic, community-based, trauma-informed approach to ministry.
Elaine’s journey has included serving as Dean of Duke Divinity School and was on the faculty of Perkins School of Theology for many years, teaching in the areas of evangelism, mission, and spiritual formation.
She is the author of 13 books, including Trauma Informed Evangelism (co-authored with Charles Kiser), The Mystic Way of Evangelism, God Unbound, and Healing the Wounds of Sexual Abuse: Reading the Bible with Survivors. When not wrangling goats, planting turnips, or leading an immersion course in new monasticism, Elaine enjoys camping and kayaking.
Lodging & Pricing
On-site lodging at Ardberg House
Double Occupancy
$1,400 per person
Single Occupancy
$2,000 per person
(includes $600 single supplement)
Off-site lodging on Iona
$1,000 per person
(single or double)
Registration
A 25% deposit is required at the time of registration.
This includes a $200 per person non-refundable deposit.
Remaining Payments:
-
35% due June 1, 2026
-
40% due August 1, 2026
REFUND POLICY
-
Before June 1 — payments refundable minus $200 deposit
-
June 1 – August 15 — 50% refundable minus deposit
-
After August 15 — non-refundable
.png){kind=small}
Participants will be asked to submit the following prior to departure:
-
Travel itinerary
-
Proof of travel/medical insurance
Instructions for submitting these documents will be included in your confirmation email after registration.
©2026 Spring Forest Iona Pilgrimage '26