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.
"It was a time of renewal and retreat in a place surrounded by the ocean, gorgeous rocks and landscapes (and sheep!), and deep history, and it was a time of sacred fellowship and strengthened friendships and taking a deeper dive into Celtic Christianity."
- Susan
Travel Schedule
August 13
Meet in Glasgow
August 14
Travel together from Glasgow to Iona
August 14-20
Pilgrimage days on the island of Iona
August 21
Depart Iona and return to Glasgow
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 Ardbeg House or at the Iona Pods Campgrounds
Shared Room
$2000 per person
Single Room
$2,500 per person
Retreat Only - You arrange your own lodging
$1,500 per person
Registration includes lodging (except for Retreat Only tickets), dinners each night on Iona, bus, ferry, and train transportation from Glasgow to Iona and back to Glasgow, and a hotel room on Aug 13.
Registration
Payment Schedule
-
$500 down payment upon registration
-
50% of remaining balance due by April 1st, 2027
-
Final payment due July 1, 2027
.png){kind=small}
Registration includes lodging, dinners each night on Iona, bus, ferry, and train transportation from Glasgow to Iona and back to Glasgow, and a hotel room on August 13.
Iona Pilgrimage 2026 – Registration & Participation Policy
Registration & Deposit
Registration for the Iona Pilgrimage is confirmed once the 25% deposit has been received.
The payment made at registration is applied toward the total pilgrimage cost and includes a $200 per person non-refundable deposit.
Registration includes lodging, dinners each night on Iona, bus, ferry, and train transportation from Glasgow to Iona and back to Glasgow, and a hotel room on Sept. 18.
____________________________
Payment Schedule
Participants agree to the following payment schedule:
-
60% due at registration
-
40% due August 1, 2026
Remaining payments will be invoiced according to this schedule.
____________________________
Cancellation & Refund Policy
The following refund schedule applies if a participant cancels their registration:
June 1 – August 15, 2026
Payments made are 50% refundable, minus the $200 non-refundable deposit per participant.
After August 15, 2026
All payments are non-refundable.
____________________________
Travel Arrangements
Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from Glasgow, Scotland.
Airfare and travel insurance are not included in the pilgrimage cost.
Participants will be asked to provide:
-
Flight itinerary
-
Proof of travel or medical insurance prior to departure.
____________________________
Changes to the Itinerary
While every effort will be made to follow the planned itinerary, Spring Forest reserves the right to make adjustments to accommodations, schedules, or activities if necessary due to circumstances beyond our control.
Questions
For questions about the pilgrimage or registration, please contact Spring Forest.
©2026 Spring Forest Iona Pilgrimage '26