The story of George MacLeod and the shipyard workers of the Clyde is well-known. Many would answer 'Iona' to the question 'What Christian
place do you know of in Argyll?'
The Iona Community is based not in Iona but began its active life and
raison-d'etre there. Its base is in Glasgow, where the 'action is' (so
George would have said). It has a comprehensive website here and
recent events in 2013 have celebrated 1450 years since Columba arrived
on the island from Ireland. 2013 was also a time to celebrate 25 years
since the MacLeod Centre was opened (as the 'new' Youth centre) and
indeed 75 years since the very founding of the Community from the
work of MacLeod and the Clyde labourers sharing tasks and the building
of community and a common life with masons and young would-be
ministers in the Scottish church.
That blending was key to the success of all that developed in the years
afterwards and remains a powerful element in the life of the Community
even today.
At a service in the Abbey to mark the occasion on 19th May 2013 a
sermon was given by Michael Russell MSP. The full text of his talk is here.
Another contribution appeared in the Scottish Review of 11 June 2013 -
an article by Maxwell MacLeod (the son of George). In that article
he reminisces about life in the very early stages of the Community,
thoughts stimulated by being present at a gathering in Govan on Saturday
8th June. Maxwell writes about his father with affection and realism and
paints, as always, a picture of a man ahead of his time, but paradoxically,
very much of his time. It's wonderful stuff - read the article here.