Holy Island is off the coast West coast of Scotland, near the Isle of Arran.
Originally called Inis Shroin the Holy Island seems to have been a place of great spiritual importance from the time it was founded. The island later became the home of Saint Molaise. He lived in a cave, which has since been named after him. Today, Holy Island is home to a community of Buddhist monks in the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Apparently a vision of the Virgin Mary persuaded the previous owner to sell it to Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, who is one of the monks. There is a retreat center, a monastery and an interfaith 'Peace Hall.' The monks regard the island as their own and attempt to enforce their rules on visitors. If you get caught smoking, or if you get found with any amount of alcohol, drugs or tobacco the monks will tell you to leave the island. Pets are also discouraged on the island because of its unique wildlife. This has been more emphatically enforced since 2009, when a dog was bought onto the island on a private boat and it killed a rare Soay sheep -- a unique breed. The highest point on the island is at 314m, and it is around 3km long and 1km wide.
- View of Lamlash and the mainland - especially beautiful at sunrise.
- Buddhist Monastery - not accessible to the public as it is used as a place of retreat.
- Sacred caves
- Buddhist art
- Wild ponies, Soay sheep and goats
- The Holy Spring
- The fairies in the garden on Holy Isle.
- Go for a walk around the island.
- Volunteer to work on monastery gardens and building projects.
- Meditate, relax, get enlightened.
- Have tea with a Buddhist monk.
There is a gift shop called The Boathouse near the Peace Hall, selling gifts, recipes and other things.
Meals are only available if you stay at the monastery. For all other things, you can go to the Co-op in Lamlash.
- The Co-operative, Main Street, KA27 8LX, +44 1770 600204. 7:00am-10:00pm.
Alcohol will be frowned upon by the Buddhists. If you get found with any amount of alcohol, drugs or tobacco you can expect to be instructed to leave the island by the monks although you have no obligation to comply. On the other hand, you can get free tea and coffee at the gift shop.
There are no other destinations than going back to Isle of Arran.