A group of five pilgrims from the Diocese of Aberdeen returned from a five-day trip to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.
On the pilgrimage, aimed at giving them spiritual refreshment, the group met up with others from Jedburgh, Newcastle and Leicester and took part in prayerful reflections and explored the surrounding countryside on the island.
The tradition is inspired from contemporary Christian Celtic-style spirituality and involved a daily rhythm of communal prayer, worship and scripture-based reflection.
The pilgrims from Aberdeen also met up with Christian communities located on the island for prayer three times per day.
The expedition was led by Reverend John Woodside, a permanent deacon at the Diocese of Aberdeen.
He said: “These contemporary ecumenical pilgrimages have been taking place for some 15 years and places are always quickly filled by people from throughout the UK and beyond.
“Traditional pilgrimages were journeys to holy places undertaken from motives of devotion in order to obtain supernatural help, or as acts of penance, or thanksgiving, and these elements are incorporated into this programme that blends some cultural expectations with a contemporary Celtic-style spirituality.
“This provides an opportunity for some ‘time out’, individual space and fulfilment, with the additional prospect of pilgrims discovering their personal place in the world.”
He added that for many it was a life-changing experience.
He said: “For some, what may begin as a solo or group journey grows into a memorable communal experience on the way that becomes a life-changing occurrence, particularly for those who originate from places where church and community life has all but disappeared.
“Our pilgrimage is an opportunity for deepening relationships with God, and the people who journey with us, living for a few days within a peaceful and joyful atmosphere of Christian community and hospitality.”
Brian Osborne, from Jedburgh, who met up with the group from Aberdeen, was full of praise for the experience.
He said: “We are most blessed to have been participants in a spiritually uplifting few days which have more than recharged the batteries.”
The Christian community who met up on the island are already planning to meet up again at the same time next year.
Among them was Jimmy Cameron, of Elgin, who is already looking forward it.
He said: “It has been a great week with so much fun, grace and joy, Lindisfarne is not called Holy Island for nothing.
“We are going home and back to daily life but with a spring in our step.”