108716: Iona Nunnery

The Augustinian nunnery is believed to have been founded by Ranald, son of Somerled King of the Isles, close to the new Benedictine monastery in about 1203. Ranald’s sister Bethag is believed to have been the first prioress. The belief is supported by an inscribed stone found on Iona in the 17th century: Behag nijn Sorle vic Ilvrid priorissa, which can be translated as ‘Bethag, daughter of Somhairle son of Gillebride, prioress’.