Pilgrimage Postings
An Occasional Newsletter for Pilgrims ~ Number 4. November 2004.
Edited by the Rev. Canon Stephen N. Brannon & James J. Rawls
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“Stand at the crossroads and look,
Ask for the ancient paths,
Ask where the good way is,
And walk in it,
And you will find rest
for your souls.”
--Jeremiah 6:16
On to Scotland!
All our plans are confirmed for the upcoming pilgrimage to Scotland, our trek along the ancient paths and good ways of the Highlands and Islands of Caledonia. We have onboard our full contingent of thirty pilgrims, about a dozen of whom were members of our delightful band of pilgrims in England last year.
If you’re interested in joining the pilgrimage to Scotland this June, please let us know and we’ll place your name on our waiting list. If any openings occur, we’ll notify you immediately so that you may register.
Carberry Tower
Our first six nights in Scotland will be spent at Carberry Tower, a stately manor house whose origins may stretch back to 1480—twelve years before Columbus sailed to the New World! Its six-foot thick stone walls bear mute testimony to Carberry’s early days as a fortified keep or castle.
For 160 years, Carberry was the home of the Elphinstones, one of the most distinguished noble families in all of Scotland. The first Lord Elphinstone died in battle against the English at Flodden in 1513; a later Laird was a close confidant of John Knox, the leader of the Scottish Reformation. The Sixteenth Lord Elphinstone married the sister of Elizabeth, the Queen Mother (1900-2002). Elizabeth and her daughters, including the present monarch, were frequent residents at Carberry when the royal family made its annual visits to Scotland.
The Queen Mother loved Carberry and “delighted in its ancient peace, and in the particularly Scottish flavour of this old and not-so-old house built and added to by one generation after another, where so much of interest and beauty has been gathered over many hundreds of years.”
Our accommodations mainly will be in the adjoining Friends and Guild House, equipped with all the modern conveniences. If you’d prefer to have a room in the older, original Tower, please let us know as soon as possible so that we may make the proper arrangements. Just give us a call at 707.938.4846 or e-mail snbrannon@aol.com.
On Pilgrimage Online
The next time you’re surfing the ‘net, check out our new webpage www.OnPilgrimage.com. We’ve posted online the itinerary of the Scottish pilgrimage as well as an album of photos from last year’s adventures in England. We’ve also included some information about our plans for a pilgrimage to Spain in the spring of 2006. We’ll be in Seville, in the heart of Andalucía, for the nightly candle-lit processions of Semana Santa (Holy Week), culminating in the glorious Easter Vigil in the ancient cathedral. Hint: If you’d like to join us, let us know now and we’ll put you on our priority list.
“I Know Where I’m Going”
That’s the name of a marvelous film that was shot on-location at the Western Isles Hotel, our home for three nights in the seaside village of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. Shot in the 1940s, the film is “awash in mystic power of ancient castles and enchanted legends.” Jim says this is a must-see film, available now on DVD and video cassette. Check out the stills at www.mullhotel.com.
Whetting Our Scottish Appetites
Several folks have requested suggestions for reading materials, films, websites, and other resources to help prepare for the adventure ahead. In addition to viewing “I Know Where I’m Going,” here are some other gems to consider:
Films:
“Kidnapped.” Two versions of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Scottish historical novel are available on film—a 1960 Disney version plus a 1996 cable TV rendition. You may recall that Stevenson’s young hero, David Balfour, is shipwrecked within sight of Iona Abbey (which we shall visit). Balfour then makes his way across the Isle of Mull to join Scottish patriot Alan Breck Stewart in further Highland adventures.
“Rob Roy.” Again two offerings of Sir Walter Scott’s classic are available—the acclaimed 1995 version starring Liam Neeson and Jessica Lange, and Disney’s “Rob Roy: The Highland Rogue” (1953) starring Richard Todd. We will be visiting Abbotsford, the magnificent home of Walter Scott, and the grave of Rob Roy in the village of Balquhidder.
Various travel videos on Scotland, including (exclaims Stephen!) the PBS “Great Railway Journeys” edition following the route from London to Edinburgh, and the “World’s Greatest Train Ride” video on “Scotland and Wales.”
Books:
Robert Louis Stevenson, Kidnapped; Tom Hubbard and Duncan Glen, Stevenson’s Scotland (RLS travel diaries); Walter Scott Rob Roy and Waverley; J. Philip Newell, Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality; Esther De Wall, The Celtic Way of Prayer; Deborah and David Douglas, Pilgrims in the Kingdom; Philip Sheldrake, Living Between Worlds: Place and Journey in Celtic Spirituality; Phil Cousineau,The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker’s Guide to Making Travel Sacred; Andrew Fisher, A Traveler’s History of Scotland; Martin and Nigel Palmer, The Spiritual Traveler: England, Scotland, Wales; Douglas C. Vest, On Pilgrimage; Cintra Pemberton, Soulfaring: Celtic Pilgrimage Then and Now.
Websites:
• Carberry Tower (our primary residence): www.carberry.uk.org
• High Kirk of St. Giles, Edinburgh (site of our first Sunday worship): www.stgilescathedral. org.uk
• Old St. Paul’s Scottish Episcopal Church, Edinburgh (guided tour by archivist Arthur Temple): www.osp.org.uk
• St. Mary’s Scottish Episcopal Church, Dunblane (guided tour by the Rev. Janice Cameron, rector): www.stmarysdunblane.org
• Dunblane Cathedral (guided tour by cathedral staff): www.dunblanecathedral.org.uk
The Prayerful Pilgrim
Our most important preparation for pilgrimage, of course, is prayer. Each of the saintly men and women we’ll be encountering on our journey were faithful disciples who opened themselves daily to the Lord in prayer. We can do no better than to follow the good examples of St. Aidan, St. Cuthbert, St. Margaret, St. Giles, St. Columba, and all the other beloved saints of Scotland.
In that spirit, let us pray: “Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our earthly pilgrimage we may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.”
Practical Pilgrims
A few reminders of a practical nature: You’ll need, of course, a valid passport for the trip. The necessary forms are available at any US Post Office. Also, keep in mind that the weather in Scotland is “changeable,” so be sure and pack some raingear that you can easily slip on and off. You’ll also want to pack some comfortable walking shoes. Speaking of packing, pilgrims are famous for traveling light. Keep this in mind because you’ll need to tote your own luggage from time to time.
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