Celtic pilgrimage opportunities abound in the United Kingdom, with much affection given to Scotland and Ireland. There are pathways that traverse through exquisite natural settings, that cover lands with centeries old chapels and monesteries, and provide opportunities for reflection, soul rest, prayer, or opening one’s spirit to something new. Often people describe this terrain or special places like Iona as thin places, meaning that they are places where the veil between the tangible world and heaven or the Divine becomes thin. You might say these are places where heaven and earth meet one another and pilgrims who sit, walk, or dwell in such places can hold tremendous meaning.

In Ireland you will find many options for consideration. St. Brigid’s Way, St. Kevin’s Way, St. Patrick’s Way as well as others provide connections with saints who spent their lives sharing the Christian faith and experienced the Holy in significant ways in these spaces. Several pathways labeled as pilgrim walks are on the shorter side, making excellent day trips with transport. In addition to the official pilgrim paths, there are many inspiring, beautiful, and meaningful pathways such as the Kerry, Wicklow, and Dingle Ways, or the Causeway Coastal path. To walk any of these grounds will be to experience the sacredness and overwhelming beauty of the world.

In Scotland, there are many routes to be explored as well. Kentigern Way follows one of the missionary journeys of St. Kentigern, Glasgow’s patron Saint. Fife Pilgrim Way is an ancient pathway that leads to St. Andrew’s Cathedral, one of the most favored shrines in late Midieval Europe. And, St. Cuthbert’s Way journeys from Melrose, where St. Cuthbert spent his early monastic years, and heads to Holy Island or Lindisfarne, where he ministered and later died. Many other areas highlighted as significant pilgrimage sites are not waymarked and require a guide or greater planning details. In addition to those labeled pilgrimage trails, there is the island of Iona, previously mentioned, and long distance walks that highlight extraordinary landscapes, such as the West Highland Way.

Throughout the whole of the UK, there are additonal pathways that recognize the ministries of early saints and explore lands where people find themselves in greater connection with the Divine. Using writings, poems, devotional materials specific to the celtic tradition, or Northumbrian community can offer meaningful insights, consideration, and reflection for such a journey.