New pilgrimage pathway from North Berwick to Lindisfarne launched
A new pilgrimage route that travels through beautiful coastal scenery from North Berwick to Lindisfarne was launched yesterday.
One of five long distance Pilgrim Ways under development in Scotland, the Forth to Farne Way will take modernday pilgrims along pathways and through places linked to Christianity’s earliest days in Scotland.
Several of the ancient Celtic saints are identified with places along the Forth to Farne Way including St Baldred, St Cuthbert, St Aidan and St Ebba.
Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, patron of the Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum and former Lord High Commissioner of the Church of Scotland, formally opened the new route at a service in St Mary’s Parish Church, Whitekirk, East Lothian.
The Rev Joanne Evansboiten, minister of Athelstaneford, Whitekirk and Tyninghame, said Whitekirk is one of many sites along the route that attracted pilgrims in the late Middle Ages.
She said: “Thousands of people came to Whitekirk because of a very famous holy well. That is why we have such a large church in such a small place.
“The story is that Agnes Countess of Dunbar had sustained injuries defending Dunbar castle when it was under siege. She visited a hermit living near Whitekirk and he told her to go to the holy well and drink the water.
“After visiting the well the countess was healed and she went on to put up a shrine here that became famous throughout Europe. We have a record of the story written by one of the pilgrims who visited here and who later in his life became Pope Pius II.”
The 72-mile pilgrim route follows parts of three wellmarked designated footpaths: the John Muir Way, and the Berwickshire and Northumberland coastal paths.
A steering group of local volunteers has identified 11 stages that vary from two miles to 13 miles where they hope to put waymarkers and support services. The group has also produced a leaflet about the route and a beautifully designed booklet that tells the stories of the saints.
Nick Cooke, secretary of the Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum SCIO, praised the volunteers who have been working to develop the Forth to Farne Way for the last three years.
He said: “The next stage will be to develop waymarking and interpretation to tell the stories of these special places as well as provide accommodation for pilgrim walkers making this journey.”