Scotland Presbyterian Heritage Tour, July 19-20

I am very behind, but going to try and finish the Madison Ave Presbyterian Church part of the tour. As they did when I was on sabbatical and trying to blog my way across France and Spain, tiredness and lack of adequate WiFi get in the way of keeping caught up!

On July 19th our group had a free day in Tobermory. Many of us had signed up for the boat trip to the Isle of Staffa to see the puffins and Fingal’s Cave. As we were about to board the bus for the long trip back over to Fionnphort (the same place where we caught he ferry to Iona the previous day) we were notified that the Staffa trip was canceled because the boat had mechanical problems. We were grateful we got the notice before making that long, winding bus ride! Several of us decided to take the ferry across the Sound of Mull to Kilchoan, on the peninsula of Ardnamurchan. It is the most westerly village in mainland Britain. The views from the ferry were stunning, of course, and we got a pleasant surprise when we arrived and learned that the Kilchoan community Highland Games festival was taking place. We walked a mile or so up the road to the field by the community center and watched a couple of the “heavy contests”—tossing the caber and the shot put—heard a pipe and drum band, had yummy, homemade cake, and just enjoyed stumbling upon a local bit of culture.

I’ve just realized I have no photos from the highland festival—only videos and I don’t think I can post a video here. But here are some photos from the ferry ride over and back.

On the way back, we had another delightful surprise—several of the young people that were part of the pipe and drum band played for us the whole ferry ride back. I think I’ve figured out how to post a video—so here’s a short clip. You all need to say a prayer that the WiFi is strong enough to post this!

After dinner we had a final evening prayer service since there would be no space for a closing worship service at the hotel in Glasgow. There was a beautiful, big sitting room at the inn in Tobermory that was perfect for such a gathering. It was a wonderful, quiet time to reflect on the trip together.

The next, final, day we made our way to Glasgow—back across Mull by coach, ferry across to Oban then a bus ride down to Glasgow which involved a quick stop for photos at Loch Lomond. On the ferry from Mull to Oban a few of us saw a seal and dolphins—that was a great way to finish our time on the islands.

When we arrived in Glasgow we had two final pilgrimage stops to make—first to the Glasgow Cathedral where St. Mungo is believed to be buried (it is Church of Scotland now). We happened to go in at the tail end of a wedding and enjoyed being amongst the congregation at the recessional. The windows in the cathedral are gorgeous. I’m going to have to go back when I have more time. Our final stop before dinner was a very quick one at the Kelvingrove Art Museum to see Dali’s “St John of the Cross”. It is powerful and moving.

And it wouldn’t be a trip to Glasgow without some Charles Rennie Macintosh and the work of his wife, Margaret Macdonald who worked alongside him. A lot of what people lump in as Macintosh is actually her work.

It was a wonderful trip, and meant so much to be able to share Iona with folks from church and introduce people to Celtic spirituality. We learned about both our reformation heritage and our Celtic Christian heritage going back to St. Patrick and St. Columba. We became a closer community, and I hope these ties will add strength to our larger church community.

Now, on to the vacation part of my time in Scotland. We are now in Shetland. Here are some photos from the ferry, but other than that Shetland commentary will have to wait!