Pilgrims Progress

The tiny community of Luss was named as a founding member of the Green Pilgrimage Network, a global collective which aims to reduce the environmental impact of travellers converging on sites of worship, other sites in the 12-strong network include the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, the Golden Temple in Amritsar and the birthplace of St Francis of Assisi in Italy, putting Luss which has been a Christian pilgrimage site for 1500 years in illustrious company.

A pilgrimage pathway along the banks of Loch Lomond will be one that will lead to Iona, one of Scotland’s other great religious centres. A sustainable traffic system is to be created for all paths and roads used by pilgrims to avoid overcrowding of the village and visitors will be encouraged to minimise water use and dispose of their own rubbish. In the future, the way Luss deals with pilgrims will be used as an example to other communities affected by religious tourism.

Luss attracts around 750,000 visitors a year, has been a place of Christian pilgrimage since St Kessog, an Irish missionary, arrived there at the beginning of the sixth century and built a monastery on the nearby island of ­Inchtavannoch. St Kessog was Scotland’s first patron saint, but his influence has long been eclipsed by others, most notably St Andrew.

I like the peace of this place, I am not religious as many of you know, God and I having parted ways a long time ago but I do consider myself to be a spiritual person and this place is a very peaceful, enclosed by the loch on one side and cradled by the meander of the Luss Water the glebe is an island of tranquillity.

I love the shape and texture of this cross, the shake at the top as the timber has weathered it is symbolic of the enduring symbol of the faithful; a striking sight that fills your view as you walk over the bridge to join the path around the glebe, I hope you enjoy the entry and apologies for it being late!