Iona in Our hearts

OUR STORY

FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR

MHAIRI KILLIN

Aosdàna’s story is so closely entwined with my own that I cannot tell one without the other. This story has a vibrant backdrop of wonderful island characters, artisans who led me to live here in 1997, following many generations of my maternal Macdonald clan.

OUR ISLAND

ISLE OF IONA

My island home has captured the imagination of pilgrims for centuries, from the early hermit monks of the 6th century to modern day travellers seeking peace, beauty and solitude.

Over the centuries Iona has been home to, and has inspired, poets, musicians, craftsmen and women, writers, artists and theologians. Its landscape speaks of angelic visions and ancient burial grounds, a hermitage of the sea and a place of reflection and revival. Intrigued? Our artistic retreats offer the opportunity for you to also explore our wonderful island and unleash your own creativity.

Celtic art legacy

"A graduate of The Glasgow School of Art, I came to Iona to follow my practice as a visual artist, and to honour a gift given to me by an Iona family elder, silversmith Iain MacCormick. Iain’s gift of ancient Iona designs, with their complex and mystical patterns which stretch back to the 8th century Book of Kells through to 19th century Iona artisans Alexander and Euphemia Ritchie, was the beginning of Aosdàna".

AOSDÀNA

ORIGINS OF OUR NAME

The name, Aosdàna, is from the old Gaelic word, aos-dàna, once a collective term for the bards of old whose role was to record the histories and genealogies of the land, through poetry and music. It is the perfect name for a creative business which aims to hold the incredible artistic heritage of Iona for future generations, whilst also showcasing a contemporary collective of jewellery designers from around the UK.

OUR DESIGNERS

BUILDING A COMMUNITY

Unique to Aosdàna, these modern jewellery collections are created using a combination of traditional bench skills and new technology, supporting the best of UK design, skills and manufacture. In this way we continue to sustainably support not only our own island business but also small creative businesses and individual crafts people throughout the UK.

DISCOVER MORE

Ì MO CHRIDHE

Our new collaboration with renowned designer Maeve Gillies, new Scottish celtic jewellery treasures

SUSTAINABILITY

From fully recycled materials to supporting our local community, we are fully focussed on sustainability

HERITAGE

Our story is entwined with the history and heritage of our beautiful Island of Iona