‘Cnoc a’ Chalmain’, the ‘Hill of the Dove’, is the Roman Catholic House of Prayer on Iona. In 1991 the Colmcille Trust was established by Mary Burn-Murdoch and the Trustees purchased the house ‘Kilona’ in 1996, occupying land which had stunning views over the sound of Iona towards Mull.
The House of Prayer was designed by Charles Hughes and built by Norman MacDonald of Tobermory. It was officially opened by Archbishop Keith O’Brien in the spring of 1997, the 1400th anniversary year of St Columba’s death on Iona.
Cnoc a' Chalmain provides a peaceful place of prayer for all pilgrims in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Cnoc a' Chalmain also offers a unique opportunity for a single room stay on Iona, with the possibility of sharing in the ecumenical services of the island.
