A SACRED site for religious pilgrimage over thousands of years, the secluded Isle of Iona, found in the Inner Hebrides, is considered to be one of Scotland’s most beautiful and serene places. Featuring ruins sprinkled with wildflower meadows, crystal-clear shores, and winding lanes edged with ancient, intricately carved stone crosses, it is unsurprising that the island is a rich source of inspiration for a community of like-minded creatives. We chatted with Mike Gordon, owner of Iona Wool, to discover how the company celebrates and supports the island’s crofting traditions and wool production.
What is the main concept behind Iona Wool, and what were you hoping the project would bring to the island?
“Sheep fleece is pretty much the only raw material the island produces. Iona Wool’s aim is to make the most of this, for the benefit of everyone who works with it, starting with the island’s crofters. They receive a fixed and preferential rate for their wool, compared with selling to the British Wool Marketing Board. In the years before Iona
