The story of Machair Croft
For over two centuries, Machair Croft has been worked, lived on, and cared for—its story unfolding through generations who have adapted to island life while remaining deeply connected to it…
Life on the machair
Machair Croft sits on one of Iona’s most distinctive landscapes—the machair.
Machair is a rare coastal grassland found mainly along the west coast of Scotland. Formed over centuries by shell sand carried inland from the Atlantic, it creates fertile ground that supports a wide range of plant and animal life.
This landscape provided the conditions for crofting life to take root. It has supported generations of crofters, whose lives were shaped by the demands of land, sea and weather.
Today, the open land surrounding Machair Croft remains part of this unique environment, continuing to shape both the setting and the experience of staying here.
The timeline
Early 1800s
Early beginnings
Following the Napoleonic Wars, a portion of land belonging to the Duke of Argyll was granted in tenancy to Coll Macdonald. When a neighbouring crofter died without issue, the adjoining land passed into his care, forming what is now Machair Croft.
From that point on, the Macdonald family became custodians of the croft, beginning a lineage that continues today
Mid 1800s
Life on the croft
For much of its history, Machair Croft was worked as a small agricultural holding.
The land was divided and used to support the family, with potatoes grown as a staple crop, hay cut for silage, and cattle and sheep grazing across the machair. Pigs were also kept as part of a self-sufficient way of life.
Before modern machinery, horses were used to work the fields and assist with seasonal tasks.
At its centre was family life. Donald Macdonald and Mary Macgregor raised nine sons on the croft, each contributing to its upkeep. The remains of their home still stand today, marking this period of the croft’s history.
A wider world
Members of the Macdonald family served during both World Wars, connecting the croft to events beyond the island while life on Iona continued.
1926
The beginning of hospitality
In 1926, Janet Macdonald built what is now Machair House and began welcoming visitors during the summer months.
To accommodate guests, she would often move herself into the barn or byre. This marked the beginning of the croft’s role as a place to stay, alongside its agricultural use.
Partnership & continuity
As the demands of crofting changed, a working partnership developed with the MacInnes family.
This relationship has continued across generations. John MacInnes has spent over two decades helping to maintain the croft, ensuring the land remained productive and cared for during periods of change.
2002-2020
A return to Iona
In 2002, Frances Weatherhead (née Macdonald) and her husband Douglas returned to Machair House.
They maintained the property and carried out improvements, including an extension in 2016 and a new roof in 2017, helping to secure the future of the house.
In 2020, they left Iona to access additional care and support. During this time, the house was unoccupied, while the croft itself continued to be managed.
2022-present
A new chapter
In 2022, their grandson Jamie returned to take on the croft.
Machair House reopened as a guest house, building on the hospitality first introduced in 1926. Since then, it has welcomed visitors from across the UK and beyond, with many returning more than once.
Plans were developed to introduce a small number of cabins designed to sit within the landscape, with planning permission granted in July 2025.
In March 2026, the croft tenancy was formally assigned to Jamie, continuing the Macdonald lineage into its eighth generation.