Pilgrimage Ways and Tours |
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Pilgrimage walking is almost as old as the religion that it is associated with. This activity applies to all major faiths, however in the UK and Europe is related predominantly to Christianity.
Although the nature of Pilgrimage has changed over the centuries it is still important to many and a growing
number of individuals and groups are embarking on Pilgrimage walks.
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Christianity came to Southern Scotland through St Ninian in the early 5th century. The location of his
ministry was principally in Whithorn in Galloway but it is said he also converted many Pict to Christianity on
the east side of Scotland. Details on St Ninian are confused and uncertain even the date of his ministery.
More clear cut is the life of St Columba with his arrival from Ireland onto Iona around 560 and from here Christianity
quickly spread across Scotland and into the North of England. Important Saints such as Ninian, Columbia,
Aidan, Cuthbert and Oswald are all early Christians of the 5th, 6th and 7th centuries that have influenced life
in the northern half of Britain. For succeeding centuries people have retraced some of these Saints' steps
in a hope of finding an inner peace or a stronger understanding of life. |
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Iona Abbey - Photo supplied by FreeFoto.com
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In the 21st century the pilgrimage experience is unlikely to be as physically demanding and penitential as in earlier times but it still offers to both religious and enquiring individuals a time of reflection, escape from the day-to-day stresses and an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the countryside around.
Walking Support is fortunate to be located next to the St Cuthbert’s Way, one of the UK’s most recognised and walked Pilgrimage routes. This has resulted in Walking Support working with Pilgrimage Groups and developing an expertise in the planning and delivery of group pilgrimages. This is only a small part of our business, but it is an increasingly important segment of our work that we are actively developing, not simply on St Cuthbert’s Way but other walking route.
Many of the groups that we support are international, from as far a field as North America, South Africa and the
Scandinavian countries. Additionally we get groups and individuals from across the UK, some in church affiliations
some independent.
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Norwegian pilgrimage group beside Melrose Abbey - September 2011 |
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We are proud of the comments that these groups have offered after their Pilgrimage experience.
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"Everyone from our group has a good time.
"I have done this trip (Iona & St Cuthbert's Way) before with another company and was very impressed with your choices.
Putting up 12 people, especially in small towns is a real challenge. This was one of your strengths.
"Transportation was very good. You got us to Iona and then back to Melrose in a very timely manner.
"From your end, I thought you did an excellent job. I have nothing but praise for your work and preparation. .... you did a
great job. You worked your rear end off and it made for a great trip."
John Hagan (Michigan USA)
"The responses from the members of the group have been very encouraging. They were very pleased with almost everything.
"So again; thank you for your very good service!"
"As for next year I want to take a new group of 20 people......"
Sven Aasmundtveit (Norway)
"I am pleased to say we completed our walk on schedule with a barefoot splash along the Pilgrim's Way. We thoroughly
enjoyed it and would like to thank you for your help. What you booked for us was very good."
West Sussex
"We had a wonderful pilgrimage, everything worked out perfect for us. No problems at all. Just a lot of blessings.
All the hotels were wonderful."
"So thank you for the job you did for us. There's a lot of interest to hear about the tour here, so we will
both tell and show pictures, and recommend your firm, be sure of that."
Hakon Borgenvik (Norway)
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The key to our “Support” is in the flexibility of what we can offer and provide. For many they want time on Holy Places like Iona and Lindisfarne and they want to walk in some of the steps of the great Saints. But time rarely allows them to combine all these without some additional transport to move the group from religious centre to centre. Walking Support will plan and arrange all of this, not just the walking element of the Pilgrimage.
Walking Support is also committed to the future of development of Pilgrimage in Scotland and Northern England.
We have been active in the possible development of new Pilgrimage Ways and in research into the views and
desires of walkers undertaking a pilgrim focused walk.
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Recently John was able to experience walking on a Pilgrims path in Donegal, this taking walkers to the top of
Slieve
League where there are remains of an early church, beehive huts and stations associated with St Aedh MacBrice (6th century).
Slieve League is overlooking the Atlantic in the south west corner of Donegal and the mountain has a steep cliff face
on its SW side, this claimed, but also disputed, as being the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Only a few miles further
west is the island of Rathlin O'Birne where St Patrick's companion St Tassach was a hermit for several years before being
encourage back onto the mainland. St Assicus was also associated with this area of Donegal and there remains some
confusion as to which Saint this pilgrims path truly relates to.
Whichever is correct, the Christian Heritage in this northern province of Ireland (Ulster) is very extensive
starting with St Patrick in the 5th century and being also the early home of St Columba in the 6th century before he
was exiled to Scotland to continue his missionary work.
If you are a Church Group of any size and you are considering a retreat or pilgrimage type walk we would be delighted to discuss this with you and hopefully assist you with the planning and delivery of the event. Our involvement can be as little or great as you require, from simply setting up all of the itinerary to being a part of the group as the event is happening.
For information and an initial no obligation exchange simply
click on this link and give us some basic outline details of your intentions and we will quickly respond to your enquiry.
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