Thought for the Week

It was the most beautiful day. Tarbert was bathed in early morning sunlight and the sail to Portavadie was perfection.

We were heading to Kilmun on the Cowal peninsula where I was launching the ‘Faith in Cowal’ pilgrimage project on behalf of Presbytery.

Autumn colours carpeted the hills and fluttered from the trees and Cowal looked spectacular.

Before the church service of dedication, we were invited to do a mini pilgrimage over a part of the 80-mile trail.

Our guide, Gilbert Markus, fascinated us with stories of ancient history.

We paused for readings and reflection as we remembered the stories of the saints who had walked these paths before us.

One thing that really caught my attention was when Gilbert said that an ordnance survey map of Argyll is like a Bible.

It is filled with high standing crosses, burial cairns, cists and carvings which all tell a story.

It has myriad place names beginning with ‘Kil’ declaring that a church was at the heart of the community. So the map tells a story of early Christianity. Our destination was Kilmun church itself and to a stone with a cross engraved on it. This special stone was discovered in the graveyard.

It is believed to be early seventh century, and is a very clear indication of a Christian foundation.

At the church’s entrance is a glass door with an etching of the stone. So to go into the church, you have to walk through the cross.

Gathered round the stone for prayer we fell silent.

Even Jazz our pilgrim collie stopped bouncing and lay quietly by this holy stone. Pilgrimage is very special. It was a most beautiful day.