In search of saints: The Pilgrim Kingdom
St Andrews was one of the main pilgrimage destinations in Medieval Europe for 400 years. Rich and poor flocked to be near the bones of St Andrew, one of Jesus’ disciples. In fact, being in St Andrews was considered to be the next best thing to being in the Holy Land and walking in the footsteps of Jesus himself. Therefore, St Andrews joined ranks in terms of importance with the popular disciple destinations of Rome (St Peter) and Santiago de Compostela (St James the Great).
The main attraction may have been St Andrews. However, pilgrims were also drawn to to visit St Margaret’s miraculous shrine within the abbey in Dunfermline. And along the road to St Andrews a host of other saints were represented by churches, chapels and healing wells. These places provided a perfect spot to pause, and were important destinations in their own right for local pilgrims.
Pilgrimage made a permanent mark on Fife’s landscape. In fact, many of Fife’s roads, bridges and crossing points, including the famous Queen’s Ferry, were created hundreds of years ago to ease the way for the steady stream of pilgrims. Inns, chapels and alms houses were also built to offer the travellers a place to rest, refresh and receive medical help. It was considered an act of piety to provide these facilities to help smooth the path to Heaven. It’s no wonder that Fife earned the nickname of the ‘Pilgrim Kingdom’ as pilgrimage changed its face forever.
The Fife Pilgrim Way follows one of the routes taken by countless pilgrims to Scotland’s holy hotspot. Why not read the Story of Fife Pilgrim Kingdom next and delve deeper into Fife’s pilgrim history.
Simon Hessett recent became the Fife Pilgrim Pastor you can visit his webpage here.
Fife Pilgrim Way partners include LEADER.
