God-forsaken?

Your article “Quality of drinking water in Scotland ‘among best in the world’ ” (27 July) is good news but we have another “water problem”. Last week, a young American arrived in Edinburgh fresh from walking St Columba’s Way, the pilgrimage route from Iona to St Andrews. He was full of the glories along the route, from the spectacular scenery to the welcome in every pub. But, predictably for July, there was rainandforthreeormoredays and he was wet through.

Half the time he was wild camping, so drying out was an impossibility, but he also stayed at available bed and breakfasts. Many, even those rated five-star, did not provide laundry or drying facilities. This seems a fundamental weakness in the package Scotland offers in country areas. Visitscotland’s Star system does not include a rating for this facility . There is a “walkers and cyclists welcome” feature which B&BS can advertise but anyone planning their journey would find it hard to identify these along the way.

Hopefully, Visitscotland will be aware of the increasing interest in Scotland as a place for pilgrims to visit, as an alternative to the hugely popular Camino to Santiago to Compostela route, and will encourage accommodation providers to add laundry facilities. The Kirk, now in the forefront of encouraging pilgrimage in Scotland and planning to turn over church halls for camping – or “Champing” – should also note the importance of dryingout facilities.

On a happier note, the intrepid American, still wet and with sopping rucksack from his stay in a high-rated hotel in Dalmally, was welcomed, dried out, and spruced up by

nearby Craig Lodge Houses of Prayer, home of Mary’s Meals, before continuing on his way.

HUGH LOCKHART Secretary, the Way of St Andrews

London Street, Edinburgh