Inchcolm Abbey Pilgrimage

On Saturday June 7 about 60 of us set sail from Hawes Pier, South Queensferry, on the Maid of the Forth for a pilgrimage to Inchcolm Abbey. Inchcolm Island (“Columba’s Island”), an island of the River Forth, has always been a safe stronghold for folk of the past, ferry-crossing between Fife and Edinburgh. The Augustinian Abbey and the hermit’s cell kept alight the flame of faith in Christ, lit by St Columba. Later, the Danes buried their heroes there, and later still, the military built wartime defences to protect the City.

The pilgrim group from Mayfield Salisbury, joined by pilgrims from St Columba’s RC and from St Andrews Orthodox Church, weathered strong winds and cold sea spray, but found the island bathed in warm sunshine. It was alive with protective gulls and eider duck sheltering their nestlings. Seals kept watch from the bay.

We remembered with gratitude the mission of St Columba, and Pentecost’s global gospel, in a beautiful inclusive service of worship led by our minister, Revd Scott McKenna, in the Abbey. The ancient stone walls resounded with singing and prayers. We picnicked on the grass, gazing at the birds, the waves and the flowers. We tiptoed to peep at a sitting mother eider guarding her tiny chicks with speckled spread wings.

This was holy ground, and a place of thanksgiving for Margaret Nuttall’s inspiration behind the first Inchcolm Pilgrimage years ago and Ian McCallum’s vision that created the Pilgrimage Fund. 

Further photographs can be viewed in the recent events section of the Gallery