We have been blogging recently about the fascinating programme, Pilgrimage. Now a region in Scotland is set to have some of its ancient pilgrims routes revived. Fife Council is assessing plans to bring back into use the paths that were once trodden by pilgrims between various a number of religious sites, including abbeys and cathedrals. With funding from the Central Scotland Green Network and support from Fife Coast and Countryside Trust and Scottish Natural heritage, as well as other partners, it’s hoped that a network of pilgrims paths between St Andrews and North Queensfery, Dunfermline, Culross and elsewhere will be revamps and linked together to provide new walking routes for locals and visitors. The aim is to keep these paths as natural as possible so that the experience of walking them will be similar to that of the pilgrims many hundreds of years ago. Planners are also keen to make sure that the paths are easily accessible by public transport. A spokesperson from SNH says: “What a terrific project this will be. It will hopefully inspire many more people to get out walking and enjoying this beautiful part of Scotland.”

More planned pilgrimage routes in Scotland

The Scottish Pilgrims Routes Forum is also committed to developing pilgrims trails across Scotland. They hope to establish the The Ayrshire Pilgrims’ Trail. The route would head to Whithorn, in Galloway, which is acclaimed as the cradle of Scottish Christianity

Three more Scottish pilgrims walks to explore

Why not head off to explore some of the existing pilgrimage routes in Scotland? The routes travel through stunning countryside and offer a fascinating walk through history and religion. St Andrews Way is a 71-mile walk from Edinburgh to St Andrews. It takes in some of the area’s most breathtaking sights, such as the Forth bridges, Vane Farm Nature Reserve and the shores of Loch Leven, before finishing at St Andrew’s Cathedral.

St Cuthbert’s Way was opened in the Borders in 1999. The route links the spiritual homes of St Cuthbert – a 7th Century Saint – at Melrose and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. It is 100km (62.5 miles.) You can walk the St Cuthbert's Way route over six to nine days with Macs Adventure.