The Iona Shop in Oban, Scotland
Myself and the Team
Sandra, Margory and Karen
(not in the photo, Christine and my Mum, who has been in the business
since it opened)
The Iona Shop is a 3rd generation family business. Started in Glasgow by my Grandfather in 1947, he had been involved in the Scottish Gift Trade, before starting the shop. The inspiration for the name came from none other than the late Dr George MacLeod, founder of the Iona Community. Many of the designs drew inspiration from the Book of Kells, a highly decorated manuscript illuminated by the monks on Iona, so The Iona Shop was his immediate suggestion. Dr MacLeod and my grandfather were good friends, he also formally opened the renovated Iona Shop in 1957.
In 1966 my father moved the business to Oban, a place much loved by my Grandfather. We have been here on the same site since then. The Shop went through a complete facelift in 1997, when the front was re-instated as far as possible to its original Victorian style.
If you require any help whatsoever, please do not hesitate to phone, write or e-mail me personally and thank you for taking the time to find our website.
Alan Cathro