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Route Summaries

In this section, we will take a more detailed look at the routes which are members of the Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum, exploring their unique cultural heritage and describing some of their outstanding features.

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The routes are organised into two sections: Scottish Pilgrim Ways™ Accredited Routes, and other recognised Pilgrim Routes.

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Scottish Pilgrim Ways™ 
Accredited Routes

St Magnus Way

A 58-mile pilgrimage route through Mainland Orkney, inspired by the life and death of Magnus, Orkney’s Viking earl and patron saint martyred in 1117.

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  • ​Gold standard SPW accreditation 2023

  • Starts at Evie and ends at St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall

  • Length 58 Miles

  • Fully waymarked

  • Accommodation available

  • SMW walking guide, app & map downloads available

  • Steering Group: Orkney Pilgrimage SCIO 

Forth to Farne Way

The coastal trail between the Firth of Forth and Lindisfarne off the Northumberland coast has been walked by pilgrims over many centuries.

 

  • ​Silver standard SPW accreditation 2021

  • Starts at North Berwick and ends at Lindisfarne Abbey

  • Length 70 miles

  • Fully waymarked

  • Accommodation and public transport links available

  • FTFW walking guide, app and map downloads available

  • Completion certificate available

  • Steering Group: Forth to Farne Way SG (SPRF) 

Northern Pilgrims' Way

Explore the North Highlands and experience the paths walked by pilgrims long ago. 
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  • Bronze standard SPW accreditation 2022

  • Starts at St Duthac's Church, Tain and ends at St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall

  • 3 Braided Routes between Tain and Gills Bay [braid 1 = 120 miles; braid 2 = 113 miles; braid 3 = 115 miles] 

  • Two ferries available to Orkney and bus to Kirkwall. 

  • Partially waymarked

  • Limited accommodation available 

  • NPW guidebook and GPX tracking files available.

  • Steering Group: Northern Pilgrims’ Way Group SCIO 

Cowal Pilgrimage

Follow in the footsteps of ancient Christians and Saints on 5 connected pilgrim routes across the Cowal peninsula.

 

  • ​Bronze standard SPW accreditation 2022

  • St Munns's Way - 63 miles, starts and ends at Kilmun

  • Not Waymarked

  • Accommodation available

  • Maps & GPX tracking files available.

  • Pilgrim passport available

  • Steering Group: Faith in Cowal SCIO 


Other Recognised 
Pilgrim Routes

St Conan's Way

The westerly section of the planned coast-to-coast Pilgrim Way linking Iona with St Andrews as Scotland’s principal centres of Christianity.

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  • Starts at Craig Lodge, Dalmally and ends at Iona Abbey, Isle of Iona, Mull. 

  • Length 69 miles via Mull coastal route

  • Ferry available from Oban to Craignure, Mull

  • Not waymarked. See disclaimer on website. 

  • Limited accommodation available

  • Maps and GPX tracking files available. 

  • Steering Group: contact SPRF 

Three Saints Way

The easterly section of the planned coast-to-coast Pilgrim Way linking Iona with St Andrews.  This route through Perthshire and Fife commemorates Saints Kessog, Fillan and Serf, who were all active missionaries in this area at the coming of Christianity. 

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  • Starts at Killin and ends at St Andrews Cathedral

  • Length 111 miles

  • Not waymarked

  • Accommodation available

  • Steering Group: contact SPRF

Fife Pilgrim Way

St Andrews was the third most important pilgrimage shrine in late Medieval Europe after Rome and Santiago de Compostela. This route, opened in 2019, also connects the shrine of St Margaret of Scotland at Dunfermline and St Serf at Culross Abbey. 

  • Starts at either (a) North Queensferry or (b) Culross Abbey and ends at St Andrews Cathedral. 

  • Length 64 miles

  • Fully Waymarked

  • Accommodation available

  • FPW walking guide, map and GPX tracking files available.

  • Completion certificate available.

  • Steering Group: contact SPRF 

Whithorn Way

The town of Whithorn has been a place of pilgrimage from the 7th century and in recent times its connection with St Ninian has seen a growing revival in pilgrim visitors.

 

  • Starts at Glasgow Cathedral and ends on the Isle of Whithorn, Dumfries & Galloway

  • Length 149 miles

  • Partially waymarked

  • Accommodation and public transport links available

  • WW guidebook and OS maps available 

  • Steering Group: contact SPRF 

St Kentigern's Way

Glasgow’s patron Saint Kentigern travelled widely on foot throughout Clydesdale, Upper Tweeddale and Annandale on his missionary activities. This route recreates one such journey.

 

  • Starts at Annan on the Solway Firth and ends at Glasgow Cathedral 

  • Length 150 miles

  • Fully Waymarked

  • Accommodation and public transport links available

  • Steering Group: contact SPRF 

St Cuthbert's Way

Originally opened purely as a long distance walking route, this links Melrose, the location of Saint Cuthbert’s early monastic life, with Lindisfarne (Holy Island), the site of his ministry and death, and is increasingly being used as a pilgrimage resource.

 

  • Starts at Melrose, Scottish Borders and ends at Lindisfarne, Northumberland

  • Length 62 miles

  • Fully Waymarked

  • Accommodation available

  • SCW walking guide, map and GPX tracking files available

  • Completion certificate available

  • Steering Group: contact SPRF 

Borders Abbeys Way

A circular pilgrim route in the heart of the Scottish Borders connecting  four 12th Century abbeys at Kelso, Jedburgh, Melrose and Dryburgh.

 

  • Starts & Ends at Melrose

  • Length 65 miles

  • Fully Waymarked

  • Accommodation available

  • BAW booklet and maps available

  • Completion certificate available

  • Steering Group: contact SPRF

Happy hikers on a sunny day walking on a beautiful walking route on the west coast of Scotland..jpg
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