New summer school offers ‘A Window on Iona’

People with an interest in Scottish history are being invited to find out more about a key location in our nation’s past by attending a new summer school on the isle of Iona.

Known as the ‘cradle of Christianity’ in Scotland, the island was the landing place of Irish missionary monk, Columba, in 563. The location garnered a reputation as a centre of learning and pilgrimage, becoming the final resting place of 48 Scottish Kings, including Macbeth and Cináed mac Ailpín, the King of Picts.

Staff from the University of the Highlands and Islands’ Centre for Nordic Studies are partnering with the Iona Community to offer the summer school in May. Participants will stay in the island’s ancient abbey and learn about the history, folklore and culture of Iona, about St Columba and the early church and about Celtic sculpture and literature.

The week-long programme also features field trips to key sites around the island, a visit to Fingal’s Cave on the isle of Staffa and evening social events including a cèilidh and a beginner’s Gaelic class.

Professor Donna Heddle, director of the university’s Centre for Nordic Studies, said: “It is very exciting to be part of the first collaboration between Iona, Scotland’s oldest seat of learning, and the University of the Highlands and Islands, Scotland’s newest university. The Centre for Nordic Studies team is looking forward to offering this unique educational and spiritual experience!”

Alexandra O’Neill, the Iona Community’s media and marketing manager, added: “We are looking forward to working in partnership with the University of the Highlands and Islands this summer. Iona is a tiny and beautiful Hebridean island off the west coast of Scotland known to many as the cradle of Christianity. Over the centuries Iona has attracted many thousands of people on their own pilgrim journeys.”

The ‘A Window on Iona’ summer school will run from Saturday 16 to Friday 22 May. For more information, visit http://iona.org.uk/island-centres