Iona Abbey Museum

The museum, owned and operated by Historic Scotland (HS), houses a unique collection of dark age and medieval high stone crosses, grave slabs and grave markers relating to the island and its influence on the west coast of Scotland during the early centuries of medieval Christianity.

A very clear brief was given; the lighting was to brings out the texture and carving work of the stones, many of which had been badly eroded after centuries of exposure. By working closely with the HS interpretation unit and exhibition designers, we were able to ensure that the display of individual stones and location of lighting equipment were best placed to deliver the exhibition lighting qualities required.

The focal point of the exhibition is a trio of reassembled upright high crosses (St. John’s, St. Mathew’s and St. Oran’s) that were a result of artistic and theological experimentation particular to Iona. St John’s was one of a number of high crosses that would mark the processional path towards the Abbey where people would stop and pray. This particular Celtic cross is one of the earliest examples found in Scotland.

The location and orientation of these crosses in the landscape were very significant and the HS interpretation unit wished to address this in the exhibition. When originally positioned in the landscape these crosses were deliberately orientated on the north-south axis, with the form of the cross being revealed differently during morning and afternoon prayers.

We designed a dynamic lighting sequence that plots a notional sun-path around the central St. John’s cross, simulating the changing aspects of the deep-recessed carvings on each face of the cross as the angle of incidence and colour temperature of natural light changes throughout the day. This sequence was carefully coordinated with the exhibition soundtrack to provide an immersive experience of the daily rituals undertaken by the Abbey’s religious inhabitants.