Readers of your article (The modern pilgrims retracing Britain’s ancient routes, 15 April) will be gratified that, on 23 May, the general assembly of the Church of Scotland formally withdrew its centuries-long hostility to pilgrimage. The next step of turning words into action finds the Kirk well-placed to help make Scotland a great pilgrimage destination. Those who go on the Camino, the great pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, can often stay in converted churches where they can eat, sleep, and drink for about €10 a night. This kind of accommodation is lacking in Scotland. However, the Kirk, with church buildings in nearly every village in Scotland, can welcome pilgrims with “camping- in-church” or “champing” as it is known. 5 July 2018 is the 700th anniversary of the consecration of St Andrews cathedral, containing the relics of St Andrew, apostle and patron saint of Scotland, which took place in the presence of Robert the Bruce. When better to have “champing” up and running than for those pilgrims arriving in St Andrews next year? And where better to pioneer “champing” than on St Margaret’s Way, the spectacular pilgrim route from Edinburgh to St Andrews?
Hugh Lockhart
Secretary, The Way of Saint Andrews
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