Pilgrimage to a Thin Place: A Christian Contemplative Pilgrimage to Iona, Scotland | September 25–30, 2027

Join Hineni: A Gathering Ministry for a six-day Christian contemplative pilgrimage on the Isle of Iona, Scotland, September 25–30, 2027. Created for pastors, ministry leaders, spiritual directors, and seekers of sacred travel, sabbatical rest, spiritual renewal, or deeper prayer. The pilgrimage includes five-nights at the St. Columba Hotel, contemplative teaching and practices, pilgrimage walks, shared meals, and morning and evening worship at Iona Abbey. A $500 nonrefundable deposit reserves your place toward the total cost of $2,900 per person for double occupancy or $3,400 per person for single occupancy.

Pilgrimage to a Thin Place  

There are seasons when the soul needs more than time away. It needs sacred distance from responsibility, noise, and the expectation to keep carrying what has become heavy.

Pilgrimage to a Thin Place is a six-day Christian contemplative pilgrimage on the Isle of Iona, Scotland, created for pastors, ministry leaders, spiritual directors, and others longing for sabbatical rest, spiritual renewal, discernment, or a slower rhythm of life with God. 

On Iona, you are invited to step out of your usual responsibilities and become a pilgrim. You will not be asked to lead, teach, counsel, organize, or care for anyone else. The week offers protected space to receive through morning and evening worship at Iona Abbey, guided contemplative practices, spiritual teaching, pilgrimage walks, silence, shared meals, rest, reflection, and spiritual friendship.

No previous pilgrimage or contemplative prayer experience is required. Pilgrims may come alone or with a companion and will be welcomed into an intimate Christian community shaped by attentive presence and a shared desire to listen more deeply for God.

Where Heaven and Earth Lean Close – Iona, Scotland 

Off the western coast of Scotland lies a small island that has drawn Christian pilgrims for more than fourteen centuries.

On these ancient windswept shores, Saint Columba and his companions established a monastic community in 563. Centuries later, the monks of Iona are believed to have begun creating the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript in which the four Gospels were meticulously transcribed onto vellum and adorned with intricate Celtic imagery.

Since Columba’s arrival, pilgrims have journeyed to Iona seeking prayer, clarity, renewal, and a deeper awareness of God. Many describe Iona as a thin place, where the distance between heaven and earth seems to narrow and the presence of God becomes easier to notice.

This pilgrimage invites us into that ancient rhythm of sacred travel. Together, we will step away from the noise of ordinary life and enter a slower pace shaped by worship, silence, beauty, community, and the wild landscape of Iona.

Participation is limited to 35 pilgrims, allowing room for both spiritual community and meaningful solitude.

The Rhythm of the Pilgrimage

Our days on Iona follow a spacious contemplative rhythm shaped by worship, prayer, teaching, silence, rest, and the beauty of the island. Each morning begins with gentle contemplative movement and silent prayer as the day awakens over the sea. After breakfast at the St. Columba Hotel, we walk together to Iona Abbey for morning worship at 9:00 a.m., joining the wider island community in prayer.

Following Abbey worship, we gather for spiritual teaching and guided contemplative practice. These sessions are intended to deepen awareness, create space for honest reflection, and help pilgrims listen for God within their present season of life.

Afternoons remain spacious for rest, solitude, reflection, and exploration. Pilgrims may walk along the shore, visit the Abbey, browse the island’s artisan galleries, enjoy lunch in the village, play golf, journal, sleep, or simply sit quietly and listen to the wind and sea.

Later in the afternoon, we gather again for contemplative practice, reflection, and witnessing. 

Each evening, we share a farm-to-table dinner at the hotel before returning to Iona Abbey for evening prayer at 9:00 p.m. We close the day within the ancient rhythm of worship that has shaped this island for centuries.

During the week, we will also experience:

• A contemplative tour of Iona Abbey

• A pilgrimage walk to St. Columba’s Bay

• Teaching on Celtic Christian spirituality and the history of Saint Columba and Iona

• Extended space for silence and personal reflection

• A free day for rest and exploration

The schedule is intentionally spacious. This is not a journey to hurry through or an itinerary to complete. It is an invitation to become present to God, the island, the community, and your own soul.

Traveling Alone? You Are Welcome

Many pilgrims come to Iona on their own, and you do not need to know anyone before joining us. From the first gathering, you will be welcomed into a small, supportive community shaped by shared meals, prayer, reflection, and spiritual friendship. Those choosing double occupancy may be thoughtfully paired with another solo pilgrim, while single rooms offer greater space for privacy and solitude. Traveling alone can become part of the pilgrimage itself, creating room to step beyond familiar roles, remain open to new companions, and listen more attentively for what God may be inviting you to receive.

Retreat Cost

Double Occupancy

Two twin beds, or you may request that the beds be arranged as a king.

Total Cost: $2,900 per person

• $500 nonrefundable deposit at registration
• $1,200 due September 1, 2026
• $1,200 due March 1, 2027

Single Occupancy

Twin or double bed.

Total Cost: $3,400 per person

• $500 nonrefundable deposit at registration
• $1,450 due September 1, 2026
• $1,450 due March 1, 2027

All balances must be paid in full by March 1, 2027.
These payment dates allow us to meet our contractual payment deadlines with the St. Columba Hotel on Iona.

Pilgrimage Waitlist

 A refundable $50 deposit is required to join the waitlist.

Once the available rooms sell out, our waitlist is started in the order that a registration is received. If a room becomes available, we will contact you with the room type, total cost, payment details, and the date by which you must respond. You may then decide whether to accept the available place. 

If we are unable to place you in a room, your $50 deposit will be refunded in full by July 1, 2027.

Cancellation Policy

Because lodging on Iona is limited and financial commitments must be made well in advance, the following cancellation policy applies.

• The $500 deposit is nonrefundable

• If you cancel on or before September 25, 2026, you will receive a refund of all additional payments made, minus the $500 nonrefundable deposit.

• If you cancel between September 26, 2026 and May 1, 2027, you will receive 50% of payments made, minus the $500 nonrefundable deposit.

• No refunds can be issued after May 1, 2027.

If Hineni: A Gathering Ministry must cancel the pilgrimage for any reason, all payments received will be refunded in full.

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your trip in case of unexpected circumstances.

Includes:

• Five nights lodging at St. Columba Hotel
• British breakfast daily
• Four-course dinner each evening
• All retreat teachings and contemplative practices

Not included:

Airfare, Transportation to Iona, Additional lodging, Lunches, Travel insurance, Tips, Taxes and Gratuity

Registration 

We are expecting demand to be extremely high, so if you are keen to come then please make your reservation as soon as possible after bookings go live to avoid disappointment.

There are only 19 single occupancy rooms and 10 double occupancy rooms available.

If a category of rooms sells out we will create a waiting list ranked by registration date.

Hineni: A Gathering Ministries

LEARN MORE

Before registering, you may find these helpful:

What is Pilgrimage 
[Link to Blog]

Frequently Asked Questions
[Link to FAQ]

Why Iona?
[Link to blog]

How to Travel to Iona
[Link to travel guide]

Still have questions, email us at agatheringministry@gmail.com