Iona Nunnery Ruins

You’ll pass the Nunnery just a few minutes after leaving the ferry. It sits directly beside the road, opposite the community shop and post office. The site is open with no entry signs or fencing, and you can step through it at your own pace.

Founded in the early 1200s, this was once a small convent for Benedictine nuns. It was established by Reginald of the Isles, the same figure who re-founded the Abbey for monks. His sister, Beathag, became the first prioress. At its peak, it likely housed a small community of women who lived and worked alongside the wider monastic presence on the island.

Today the building stands roofless, but much of the original layout is still clear. You can walk through the old cloister and see where rooms once stood: the church, the refectory, the dormitory, and a small guesthouse. One of the most striking features is the east gable wall, where three narrow windows still rise cleanly above the grass.

Unlike the Abbey, the Nunnery hasn’t been restored. The stone is original and has been left as it was found, which gives it a raw, honest character. In summer, wildflowers grow up around the edges. You might see bees moving through the herbs. In winter, it’s often quiet, with just the sound of wind and crows.

There’s no interpretation on site, so it’s worth reading up in advance if you want to understand the structure. Even without context, though, the shape of it makes sense. The walkways are still defined. Carved stonework lies in the grass. And while it doesn’t have the scale of the Abbey, it tells a different part of the story — a space built for women, with its own rhythm and role.

It doesn’t take long to explore. Ten or fifteen minutes is enough for a look, or longer if you want to sit with a coffee from the nearby shop. Because it’s open and easy to reach, it also works well as a first stop before heading further inland.

Location: Just past the Iona Craft Shop, on the main road from the ferry
Open: Always open, free to visit
Time to allow: 10–20 minutes for a self-guided visit