Carshalton Methodist Church -

We were twenty eight pilgrims mainly from Carshalton, Epsom and Wallington Methodist Churches . We sought and found personal inspiration, knowledge, friendship and fun as we travelled to the North East of England and on to the Lowlands and Highlands of Scotland. Using pre-dinner and on-board coach talks, Rev Simon Leigh skilfully and amusingly introduced us to the world of the Celts and their Saints who established Christianity here between 400 and 700AD.

Basking in lovely sunshine we crossed the Lindisfarne causeway and joined the islanders for Sunday worship. Cut off by the tide for six hours, we experienced the isolation and peace known to St Aidan and his monks around 650AD.

Following the line of Hadrian’s Wall and the southern coast of Scotland, we arrived in an evening sea mist at Isle of Whithorn. When the sun returned in all its glory the next day, many of us walked an ancient pilgrim path through bluebell woods and along the seashore to a cave associated with St Ninian. Ninian built the first Christian church here around 400AD just as the Roman Empire was disintegrating across Europe.

As our coach journey progressed, we uncovered more recent local culture. Scottish national pride came alive on the battlefield of Bannockburn where Robert the Bruce (aided by his spider) secured Scottish independence. We heard of Templar myths and Da Vinci Code stories at Rosslyn Chapel. We discovered the eighteenth century world of Robert Burns at his last home and mausoleum in Dumfries and this set the scene for a special feast at the Isle of Whithorn, where we finally tracked down a local haggis.

Haggis, neeps and tatties were dutifully devoured at the Burns Supper laid on for us by Alistair Scoular, proprietor of the Steam Packet Inn. Splendidly attired in full Scottish dress, Nicholas Boddy, presided over the full proceedings – from the Selkirk Grace and Immortal Memory address by Rev Simon Leigh to the Toasts to the Lassies and the Laddies. Our pilgrims threw themselves into the spirit of the occasion in distinctive attire.

In the Western Isles, we passed through more mists hanging over the hills of Mull to reach the iconic island of Iona . Amid today’s peace and tranquillity it was hard to imagine the energy that poured from this place under the direction of St Columba in the late 500s. From this sacred place, and the burial site of ancient Scottish kings, Columba took Christianity to the Celtic tribes, first the Scots and later the warlike Picts.

True to the memory of the pilgrims of old, we took our own musicians along with us. Rosalind Boxall, Tim Francis, Geoff Gunton and Tony Pattison turned a recorder, two guitars and a mini piano into our pilgrimage band. They served us well at our Wesley Day service on Holy Island and their rendition of Scottish ditties on Burns Night can only be left to your colourful imaginations. Full marks were awarded to Geoff for composing our own special pilgrimage song, revealed on the journey home, and teaching us some Gaelic in the process.

Shout, while ye journey home; songs be in every mouth;
Lo, from the North we come; from East, and West, and South.
City of God, the bond are free; we come to live and reign in thee!

2009 Pilgrimage