New
New
Year 10
AQA

Pilgrimage to Iona

I can explain the role and importance of Iona as a Christian place of pilgrimage.

New
New
Year 10
AQA

Pilgrimage to Iona

I can explain the role and importance of Iona as a Christian place of pilgrimage.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A pilgrimage is a religious journey to a holy place; it is considered an act of worship and devotion.
  2. Iona is a small island located off the west coast of Scotland; it has become a popular pilgrimage site.
  3. In 563 AD, St. Columba founded a monastery on Iona and it became a major centre of early Christianity in Scotland.
  4. Iona is considered to be a "thin place", where the boundary between heaven and earth is thin.
  5. There are many reasons Christians go to Iona, including to worship, study, work and spend time with other pilgrims.

Keywords

  • Celtic - refers to the ancient peoples of Europe, and their culture, who lived in regions such as England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

  • Iona - a place of pilgrimage to where St Columba founded a monastery in the sixth century

  • Monastery - a building lived in by a community of monks who follow religious vows

  • Pilgrimage - a religious journey to a holy site/sacred place, it is an act of worship and devotion

Common misconception

Only Christians visit Iona.

Many people visit Iona, including Christians, people who belong to other religions and people with no religion at all. Iona has historical significance as well as religious significance.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Pilgrimage to Iona, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to remind students about pilgrimage to Lourdes and make comparisons between Lourdes and Iona.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
A pilgrimage is a religious made to a sacred place.

Correct Answer: journey, Journey

Q2.
Which group most commonly visits Lourdes for pilgrimage?

Muslims
Protestants
Correct answer: Roman Catholics

Q3.
What is the name of the girl who saw visions in Lourdes in 1858?

Mary Magdalene
Teresa of Avila
Joan of Arc
Correct answer: Bernadette Soubirous

Q4.
Over 70 recognised have occurred at Lourdes.

Correct Answer: miracles, Miracles

Q5.
Why do people return to Lourdes again?

for amusement
for medical treatments
Correct answer: for continued spiritual connection

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
A pilgrimage is considered an act of and devotion.

Correct Answer: worship, worship

Q2.
Where is Iona located?

Ireland
Correct answer: off the west coast of Scotland
south of Wales

Q3.
Why is Iona called a "thin place"?

because it is small
Correct answer: because it’s believed heaven and earth feel close there
because it has narrow paths

Q4.
Christians visit Iona to worship, learn, and connect with other ...

Correct Answer: pilgrims, Pilgrims

Q5.
What is one key reason non-Christians visit Iona?

to learn about local people
Correct answer: to experience its peaceful and spiritual atmosphere
to attend church services

Additional material

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