The Iona Community

26/05/2026

Thank you to the students of Baylor University for giving Camas Outdoor Activity Centre some TLC.

You too can be part of the great Camas comeback. Become a Camas Companion today: https://iona.org.uk/camas-companions/

11/05/2026

We’re delighted to share this positive update from ‘Down the Track’ at Camas. Except this time the special delivery didn’t come down the track, the slates and repair equipment arrived by sea!

We’re grateful to all who have contributed so generously to our roof repairs and other essential maintenance at Camas.

And to Alternative Boat Hire and Bendoran Watersports for making this special sea delivery happen.

We’re also very grateful to all who have become Camas Companions so far. Your regular support will help us meet the costs of running this exceptional outdoor centre that transforms lives for good! You’ll get the full story of the slate delivery in your imminent forthcoming update!

Not yet a Camas Companion? Be part of this incredible story and wonderful place, become a Camas Companion today - https://iona.org.uk/camas-companions

06/05/2026

How did you first hear about the Iona Community? Through coming to stay at Iona Abbey? Singing the songs of the Wild Goose Resource Group? Reading a book from Wild Goose Publications?

For generations of young people their first and only point of contact with the Iona Community has been through Camas. The amazing, life-changing outdoor activity centre on the Isle of Mull. It has provided an essential, safe space for many young people over the years. It is needed now more than ever.

Listen to Peter and Rachel, long term supporters of Camas, explain to Melanie (first-time visitor) why Camas matters and what a week at Camas is like. (Don't miss Loki the dog's star performance and Melanie learning what 'fit to be tied' means).

Whatever your connection with the Iona Community, please become a Camas Companion if you can and help this essential and special centre continue to transform lives for good: https://iona.org.uk/camas-companions/

22/04/2026

'One of our less known but longstanding commitments is Camas, our off grid centre just a few miles up the coast on Mull. Its future hangs in the balance. In a time of climate crisis it’s a resource we are so fortunate to have and I believe it is vital for our Christian witness...'

Liz Gibson, Eco CCN moderator for the Iona Community, shared these powerful words in a reflection in Iona Abbey on the day after Earth Hour. On this Earth Day we share more of Liz's reflection here: https://iona.org.uk/camas-companion-earth-day/

Today is Earth Day. What a great day to find out more about Camas and become a Camas Companion! Keep this amazing ecological, off-grid centre going for generations to come: https://iona.org.uk/camas-companions

Image: Chapel of the Nets at Camas, fishing nets arranged around a room with a wooden floor with a centre piece of a guitar and other items.Sunlight spills onto the floor.

17/04/2026

We’re delighted to announce the official launch of Camas Companions!

The community of one-time and regular supporters whose gifts of money, time and talent will ensure the amazing work that Camas has done for the groups and individuals who need it most can continue.

Camas outdoor activity centre, run by the Iona Community on the Ross of Mull, offers something quite irreplaceable. The work of engaging young people with respect, openness and honesty in a beautiful setting.

By becoming a Camas Companion you will help ensure that the people who come to Camas, whether young people, staff, visitors or group leaders will continue to have the life changing experience that Camas offers.

Find out more here: https://iona.org.uk/camas-companions/

14/04/2026

Here it is! Your opportunity to work in the outdoors on the Isles of Iona and Mull from June until October 2026.

We're looking for a gardener and a maintenance worker to become part of our resident island community on Iona. You'll work with others to maintain our properties and gardens on Iona and at Camas Outdoor Activity Centre on the Isle of Mull.

Find out more and apply: https://iona.org.uk/vacancies

14/04/2026

08/04/2026

We're also delighted to share news of this appointment, and to reassure that Iain will not be moving on from his wonderful work with the Wild Goose Resource Group

Iain, along with the Wild Goose Resource Group, are always open to invitations to contribute to events and run worship workshops. Bookings are still being taken for later in 2026 and 2027.

You can find out more about their wonderful work here: https://iona.org.uk/wild-goose-resource-group-about/

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Iain McLarty as the new Director of RSCM Scottish Voices, the Royal School of Church Music's national choir for Scotland.

Iain brings to the choir a wealth of experience as a choral and orchestral conductor, educator, and church musician, with a strong track record of inspiring singers of all ages and abilities.

In his new role, he will lead RSCM Scottish Voices in its ongoing mission to promote excellence in choral singing and support the rich tradition of church music across Scotland. Iain succeeds Frikki Walker, Director of Music at St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow, who led the choir since its founding in 2008.

Iain says, "I'm delighted to have been offered the opportunity to collaborate with such a great group of singers from across the country. It's a privilege to carry on the wonderful work Frikki has done and I look forward to working with the choir to support church music across Scotland.”


Sarah King, RSCM Education Programmes Manager says, “Iain joins Scottish Voices with a wide experience of church music across a variety of contexts and great enthusiasm for enabling excellent music in worship. We are looking forward to working with him in this next exciting chapter in the life of the choir.”

Iain will take up directing duties for the first time on Saturday 16 May when the choir sings Choral Evensong at Saint Ninian's Episcopal Church Troon.

Church of Scotland
The Iona Community
Wild Goose Resource Group
Scottish Episcopal Church

05/04/2026

‘Risen Christ,
help us to lay down the graveclothes,
roll away the stone
and come out into life,
here and now.

We will find you,
among the living,
ahead of us, going to the Galilee we seek.
You have wrestled death to the ground,
and now there is nowhere we can go,
no darkness we can enter,
which is not God-encompassed.’

Kathy Galloway, Talking to the Bones, SPCK

Hallelujah!

04/04/2026

Iona Abbey, in almost total darkness, we watch and wait for the dawn...

'Jesus,
you descended into death and in so doing participated fully in our humanity.

When we can't imagine a way forward,
when life and hope seem absent from our circumstances,
be with us.

May we not avoid our suffering or pain
but instead cultivate within us the ability to face our experience
with honesty and with clarity.

As we journey through the valley of the shadow of death,
journey with us.
When our hearts are broken,
be near.

Like a flower that withers and a shadow that fades
may we be able to see beauty
even in the midst of our fragile lives.

May we sit long enough in the graveyard to be able to see the garden that surrounds us.
Amen'

William Gibson, Hope in Community, Wild Goose Publications.

Image description: Iona Abbey in almost total darkness, only a few candles are lit either side of the crossing. Credit: Iona Community/ W. Lloyd