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.

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.

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.

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.