The Iona Retreats
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Though most places accept major credit cards, you will want to bring traveler's checks with you, either in U. S. dollars or British sterling. When you arrive in Britain, exchange enough money to cover meals, buses, taxis, ferries, and incidental expenses---we recommend about $200. You will find a bank at the Glasgow airport and also in Oban. Your train ticket from Glasgow to Oban can be paid by credit card. You'll save money by purchasing a round trip (or "return") ticket. The easiest method to get pounds (at a good exchange rate) is to use the ATMs --at the Glasgow airport and in Oban. There are no ATMs or banks on Iona.
While on Iona your expenses are covered for the hotel accommodation and all meals, plus some incidental fees. You will need to pay for any personal expenditures. There is not a bank on Iona, though a "traveling bank" comes over from Oban once a week.
If you purchase anything above $20 in Britain ask if the store provides a VAT (value added tax) exemption form. When you are returning home, the VAT office at the airport will stamp your forms and you can mail them right from there. You will get a reimbursement check in a month or so.
We've supplied a link to a currency converter so you can begin to guage your extra costs. Don't forget that you are converting British pounds into dollars, not Euros.