Brighde Retreat
on the Isle of Iona

 with Kathy Jones

24th - 29th May, 2011

The small Isle of Iona lies far away, almost at the edge of the world, off the western tip of Mull in northwest Scotland. It is a Place of Ancient Silence. St Bridget was said to have come from Ireland as a girl, in a small boat to live on Iona, where she was known as the Fair Woman of February, St Bride of the Kindly Fire, St Bride of the Shores. Before she was Christianised as a saint, Brighde or Bride was already present on Iona as Goddess. She was here in the grey rocks and the green earth, in the pale sands and the surrounding turquoise seas. Her flame shone in Her Sun golden rays, Her silver Moon beams. Her poetry came on the breeze, in the roaring winds. She blessed the land with Her sweet rains, and pilgrims drank from Her Sacred Spring of Eternal Youth.

On this Brighde Retreat we will be seeking beneath the Christian focus on the island to connect deeply to ancient Goddess Brighde. We will explore the island of Iona and its different faces, climbing Dun-I, the high hill on the island, walking to the edges of the land, dipping our toes in cold seas. We will spend time outdoors in all weathers. Be prepared as the wind rarely ceases and rain drives in from the Atlantic Ocean! We will retreat with Her into our inner spiritual spaces, with a day of Silence for us to hear ourselves and Her. We will listen for Her poetry and share what we receive. There will be daily group sharing and time to sit and walk alone, to let go of everyday busyness and feel once again who you are.

Accommodation

We are staying at the St Columba Hotel on Iona. Bed and Continental Breakfast are included in your Retreat Fee. Other meals are not included, although we can arrange to eat lunch and evening meals together in the hotel or at other places on the island. Accommodation is the main cost of the retreat and is in twin rooms, a few singles are available for an additional cost.. See below. Click on the link for further details of St Columba Hotel.

Kathy Jones is your Brighde Retreat Guide to Iona

Kathy is a Priestess of Avalon, Priestess of Brighde. She is a writer, healer, ceremonialist, teacher and initiator. She is the author of many well-loved Goddess books, including Priestess of Avalon, Priestess of the Goddess as well as The Ancient British Goddess, In the Nature of Avalon & Spinning the Wheel of Ana. She is the creator of the Glastonbury Brighde Retreat with its self-initiation of Priestesses and Priests of Brighde. She is the creator and teacher of 3-year trainings to become a Priestess of Avalon in Glastonbury, and other advanced priestess courses. She is the webster/organiser of the internationally famous Glastonbury Goddess Conference. She also teaches Esoteric Soul Healing, based in the teachings of Alice A Bailey. She is Founder of the Glastonbury Goddess Temple, the first Goddess Temple in Europe for a thousand years or more. You can find information about her and her work on the links above, and on this website.

Retreat Fee

The Fee for the 2011 Iona Brighde Retreat from Tuesday 24th May to Sunday 29th May inclusive is £475. This includes bed and continental breakfast in St Columba Hotel, as well as all guide costs. Transport to and from Iona is not included. Single Room accommodation may be available for an additional fee of £100. Available accommodation is limited - Book Early! And we may look to other places for additional accommodation if needed.

To book your place

Please contact Kathy or write to Kathy Jones, 61 Tor View Avenue, Glastonbury, BA6 8AG. On confirmation of your place on the Brighde Retreat please send your non-refundable deposit of £100 payable to Kathy Jones. The balance of £375 is payable by April 24th, 2011.

Travelling to Iona

You can travel to Iona on public transport or make your way there by car. I will endeavour to connect people who are travelling from different parts of the UK to share transport if possible. Cars are not allowed on Iona without a special permit, but can be parked at the port of Fionnphort on Mull. The St Columba Hotel is about five minutes walk from the jetty on Iona. See below for travel details.

Getting to Iona by public transport

Getting to Iona by public transport is relatively straightforward. From Glasgow the trip takes a total of around 6.5 hours. Essentially you can depart Glasgow early morning or around lunch time and get to Iona at either 1430 or 1830. Specific departure times will depend on whether you take the train or the bus and on timetable variations.

• From Glasgow: take a train or a bus to Oban.

• From Oban: take the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. Tickets for the ferry may be purchased at the ferry port.

• From Craignure: bus services are available (connecting with some of the ferries from Oban) daily across Mull to Fionnphort.

• At Fionnphort: take the small ferry from Fionnphort to Iona.
  Please call us from Fionnphort when you know which ferry you will be on If you would like us to collect your luggage.

For train information: Call UK Rail +44 (0)8457 484950 or visit their website.

For mainland coach information: Call Scottish Citylink +44 (0)8705 505050 or visit their website.

For Isle of Mull coach information: Call Bowmans +44 (0)1631 563221

For ferry information: Call Caledonian MacBrayne on +44 (0)8705 650000 or visit their website.

Travel Insurance

We will be spending time outdoors on uneven surfaces, walking across sandy beaches, up high hills and across rocks. Please make arrangements for your own Travel Insurance to cover you in the event of accidents.