Good for the sole! Pastor for pilgrims

WALKERS and cyclists joining the ‘faith tourism’ trend are to be offered spiritual support on their journeys thanks to the country’s first Pilgrim Pastor.

The Church of Scotland is advertising the part-time post, with the successful applicant based at Dunfermline Abbey.

The 12-month pilot scheme is being set-up to serve the 72-mile Fife Pilgrim Way (FPW) that was created in 2019.

The pastor will speak to congregations, lead walks and create social media content. They will be expected to give support to walkers and cyclists, as well as providing information on significant historical and environmental aspects of the route.

Backers of the scheme hope to follow the success of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain which attracts more than 200,000 walkers a year.

A Church spokesman said: ‘Pilgrimage walking routes are a new feature of the Scottish travel market, although they represent an ancient and spiritually significant part of our national heritage. Historically, Fife was known as Scotland’s pilgrimage kingdom and interest has grown considerably since the FPW launched.’