Annual Autumn Gathering and AGM
This will be held on Friday 5th October 2018 in North Berwick.
For fuller information and booking instructions link to our Events Page.
Guided Walks Programme
2018 has seen the introduction of a programme of guided walks and pilgrimages on the SPRF priority walking routes.
We are delighted that following a poor response to the earlier walks the penultimate event held on the 15th August on
the Three Saints Way between Abernethy and Lindores Abbey was a great success.
For picture and a brief report on this walk click on this link and visit the News Page.
The walk that was scheuled on a section of the Whithorn Way for the 12th September as been postponed.
It is hoped to re-schedule this in the Spring once all the path development work has been completed between Whithorn
and St ninian's Cave.
The image is from the hills to the south of Abernethy and pictures Andrew Donaldson while out researching this section of the
Three Saints Way.
SPRF Spring Meeting.
This was successfully held on Thursday 12th April at Luss Parish Church.
The days events was started at 11 am with an introductory presentations from
Very Rev Dr Sheilagh Kesting, SPRF Chair of Trustees followed by a presentation from the hosts on
'Pilgrimage ancient and modern – the Luss and Arrochar story' presented by Donald Hardie with Mike Palmer
(Luss Parish Church) and David Pollard (Arrochar Parish Church).
This was followed by a talk from Jonathan Sheldrick (Heart of Argyll Tourism Alliance and SPRF Argyll
Pilgrim Routes Steering Group) on 'Argyll Pilgrim Routes – New Beginnings’.
To conclude the morning session Nick Cooke, SPRF Secretary spoke on 'Current SPRF Developments'.
Following a very hearty lunch provided by the church volunteers the afternoon session has a series of updates from
the various Pilgrim Route Development Groups.
- Fife Pilgrim Way: Ed Heather-Hayes, FPW Project Manager (FCCT)
- Forth to Farne Way: Jimmy McGuinnes (Whitekirk & Tyninghame Parish Church)
- Whithorn Way: John Henderson (Walking Support)
- Iona – St Andrews: Three Saints Way – John Henderson (Walking Support)
The afternoon then finished with an Open Forum Discussion led by Chair and following tea a walk round
the Pilgrimage Trail in the Glebe Field, led by Mike Palmer.
The fuller report on the days events can be downloaded by clicking on this link.
PowerPoint presentations regarding the Fife Pilgrim Way and N Cooke's SPRF presentation which were not shown due to technical
issues have been centrally held and if anyone is keen to receive a copy of either they should click on the appropriate link and
the file will be sent back to the requesting person's e-mail address.
The photo is taken showing some of the delgates during the guided walk.
Walks Programme on SPRF Supported Pilgrim Ways.
2018 sees the introduction of our new membership offering, this being the opportunity to join guided walks on
sections of our priority pilgrim routes. Although it programme has been developed for our members and associate members we are hoping
that we will be attracting many others to join the monthly walks and to learn more about the routes and the work of SPRF.
For the monthly programme and instructions on how to register click on the EVENTS page of the website.
Patron Launches the Forth to Farne Way
Sunday 15th October 2017
Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, Patron of the Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum
and former Lord High Commissioner of the Church of Scotland launch this new 72 mile pilgrimage route
between North Berwick and Lindisfarne.
This took place at Whitekirk St Mary's Church in East Lothian, this being directly on the line of
the walking route.
For more inforation on this link to the News Section.
Reviving Scotland's 'Pilgrim Kingdom'
15th September 2017 - Markinch, Fife KY7 6DT
This year's Pilgrimage Gathering followed the same format as in recent years, focusing on the Fife Pilgrim Way
long distance walking and cycling route.
The morning session of the Gathering was a walk along an attractive and interesting section of the Pilgrim Way
starting in Riverside Park, Glenrothes and returning to Markinch Parish Church where lunch and the afternoon presentations
took place. Finally there was the SPRF AGM to which all Associate and Full Members were encouraged to attend.
For a report on this event link to the News Page.
The "Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum" (SPRF) was established in February 2012 following a meeting of interested
persons and organisations held at Culross Abbey. This follows a period over 2 to 3 years of seminars and meetings
where ecumenical church groups and individuals, Scottish Parliamentarians, SNH, Visit Scotland and walking enthusiasts,
to mention but some, have been looking at the potential for growth and development in "Faith Tourism" and Pilgrimage
routes.
Since its establishment its membership and influence has expanded and by 2014 SPRF became a Scottish Charitable
Incorported Organisation (SCIO).
This SCIO aims to be a focal point for discussion and development of Pilgrim Routes within Scotland.
To request a copy of our leaflet click on this
LINK and type in your mailing address.
For fuller information on the background to the SPRF development and to understand what SPRF is planning to do
link to the article written by Nick Cooke and published in "OPEN HOUSE"
in the April/May 2012 edition.
To learn more about membership and how to become a "Full" or "Associate" member click on the "Members' section" or on this
link then download a PDF constitution and application form.
2017 Programme of Meetings
We are able to announce that following details so that they can be put into members diaries.
More details for each of the events will follow along with any other dates that may still be arranged.
- Thursday 27th April - Old Govan Kirk, Glasgow - Spring Forum Meeting
- Sunday 21st May - Heart & Soul 2017, Princes Street Garden, Edinburgh
- Friday 15th September - Fife (location to be confirmed) - 2017 Pilgrimage Gathering and AGM
In addition to the above there is an onging programme of meetings related to all of the developing pilgrim route steering groups.
For more information on these meetings use the contact links on the relevant "Projects" section.
For news of the 2016 events link to the Events page.
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Norwegian Pilgrim walkers at Kirk Hill, St Abbs
site of St Aebbe's monestary |
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Norwegian Pilgrim at Horsecastle Bay, site of
St Cuthbert & the two otters |
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Pilgrim walkers leaving Melrose Abbey |
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Northern Cross Pilgrims on route to Lindisfarne |
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