New Camino in Scotland

[FriendsoftheNHW]

The North Highland Way has been renamed the Camino of St. Brian and we are hoping to work with other caminos in Scotland to raise the profile of the Scottish Caminos, including Orkney. This exciting venture took off in 2008, and, without any public money at all, we have already brought inward investment to Scotland.
St. Brian was St. Brian Arrowsmith, whose father served in the lowlands fighting for the Spanish, or so the story goes. So... there is a link with Spain.
The route is named after Brian Sparks who lived at Dunnet Head for over 15 years and was instrumental in launching the North Highland Way. Brian's English teacher was Mr. Arrowsmith! What a story! Come and walk the Camino with us.
We also aim to make this a sustainable tourism route.
There are no albergues on the route, but there are a number of campsites, bed and breakfasts and hotels.

www.northhighlandway.co.uk

 

[NorthernLight]

You are seriously calling it a camino? Just how much did Scotland and Spain conspire together back in the day? Is there nae a Scottish word for 'way' you could use?

Good luck with it!

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

You are seriously calling it a camino? Just how much did Scotland and Spain conspire together back in the day? Is there nae a Scottish word for 'way' you could use?

Good luck with it!

No... this is a Spanish word... and marketing in Spain needs Spanish words. Read up on history... and come to our event from 3-9 June in Belfast, you will learn about Spanish links with Scotland as well as Northern Ireland...www.tinasfreelance.com. Think Spanish Civil War where so many Scottish soldiers fought...

Thanks for your input... good stuff at this time in the morning!

 

[NorthernLight]

I don't think many Spaniards lurk on this site. A lot of us from across ditches and ponds, though.

What is the Scots gaelic for Way? And where is St Brian buried?

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

I will do some more research and put on here. I would have nae idea about the Scots Gaelic word for Way? I'm a sassenach! Lots of Spaniards lurk on this site, and I will put us on the Spanish long distance path in the south as well. Loads of promo for your beautiful Scotland.... Oh and "lurk" is one of my favourite words...

 

[HeidiL]

Is there an overview with distances and so on for the stages that are mentioned on your website? I can't find anything!

 

[Former member 49149]

I will do some more research and put on here. I would have nae idea about the Scots Gaelic word for Way? I'm a sassenach! Lots of Spaniards lurk on this site, and I will put us on the Spanish long distance path in the south as well. Loads of promo for your beautiful Scotland.... Oh and "lurk" is one of my favourite words...

In Irish Gaelic it is Sli with an accent on the i. I am ready to have my head chopped off if I am wrong!

 

[Hebridean]

Well, I don’t really know what to say! St Brian? In the Scottish Highlands?
Brian Arrowsmith, who became canonised as St Edmund Arrowsmith, was born in Haydock, England, in 1585 and was hanged, drawn and quartered in Lancaster, England, in 1628 after being arrested by priest hunters. The relic of his hand is kept in the church of St Oswald and St Edmund Arrowsmith in Ashton-in-Makerfield, England. That’s his major shrine.
No connection at all to the highlands of Scotland.
The Scots Gaelic for the way is similar to the Irish Gaelic and is “an Slighe”.

 

[Houlet]

St Brian as in "Life of Brian?" I'm a Scot but I don't see this as of any interest.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

You are seriously calling it a camino? Just how much did Scotland and Spain conspire together back in the day? Is there nae a Scottish word for 'way' you could use?

Apparently, it is "dòigh" in Scots Gaelic . North Highland Way is A Tuath na Gàidhealtachd dòigh.

NORTH HIGHLAND WAY | Home

www.northhighland-way.com

Is this Camino of Saint Brian name official? Or just someone's pet idea?

 

[dougfitz]

There is a somewhat similar proposal for a walk from Canberra to the coast here in Australia. The proposal was outlined in The Canberra Times and the article posted on Facebook here.

The views that I expressed about this Australian proposal seem completely apt for what is being proposed for the North Highland Way:

I like the idea of a walk to the coast. I would need more time to understand the religious, spiritual or cultural context of the chosen route. If those links are not strong, it might still be an excellent secular walk. I don't think we should leap to using the 'camino' name, at least not on the rather flimsy reasons offered in the CT article.

At the Canberra Friends of the Camino meeting on Saturday, there were questions about the practical details, but most importantly, if this going to be called a 'camino', what are the religious or spiritual links being relied upon. Just being another long walk, isn't going to be enough in many peoples minds - it will be seem as a misappropriation of the name without those connections

Also, outside of Spain, the many walks with far more obvious and strong religious and spiritual links don't use 'camino' in their name. They seem to rely upon the power of those connections rather than use the camino name as some artifice. Why can't we find an appropriate local indigenous name for this, or just use the term 'way', as was done with the St Clements Pilgrimage Way.

 

[Leibniz]

This looks like a wonderful walk, and as a lover of Scotland and a lover of walking I thank you for posting about it.

I'm not sure about "marketing" it as a camino though...I know that you have brought up some tenuous links to Spain but I can't see any real link to St James or (really) to Spain at all. Many of us here feel a lot of respect for the camino as a pilgrimage, and it means a lot to us, so this idea of piggybacking on it purely to "market" something feels a little uncomfortable.

I think you could gain a lot of interest from camino lovers for this walk without pretending that it's a camino.

Anyway...good luck with this project, it looks really great.

 

[Bradypus]

As a Scot who has walked a number of Spanish Caminos and long-distance routes elsewhere I find the marketing of a walking route in Scotland as a "Camino" a questionable gimmick. As others have pointed out there are perfectly reasonable alternative terms without so obviously attempting to associate with the successes of the Spanish routes.

 

[Mr Magoo]

Why not Durness to John O Groats, then over to Orkney & Kirkwall Cathedral for a " St. Magnus Way "? Genuine relics at end of journey, in that stone column.

 

[Mr Magoo]

Oh, I see Orkney already got a "St Magnus Way", that sort of doesnt link up. Oh well.....

 

[Former member 49149]

As a non-resident Scot, let me say: Dear Poster, you can see that there is not that much enthusiasm for your pitch, thus far. A good few (exaggeration?) members of this forum have already heard of and walked the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Highland_Way and or the Great Glen Way. I wish you well with your project. And poor old Brian. Always look on the bright side of life. Live horse and you'll get grass. Seriously, I do wish you well. When there is a good enough and reasonably priced infrastructure, no doubt your project will take wings. All the best.

 

[Annette london]

Lighten up folks
I'd be interested

I'm sure one does not need to walk a Spanish Camino.....
Via
Caminho
Bothar
Bealach
to find solitude/peace/spiritual experience/ religious experience
I can walk out my front door and find that

So why not a Scottish Slighe?

Best of luck with your endeavours
Annette

 

[NorthernLight]

So Brian Edmund Arrowsmith, born in England, died in England, fought in the lowlands, was one of a group of martyrs, is to be honoured in the Scottish Highlands? Seems to me, honouring a Scot would be more appropriate.

Oh, I see Orkney already got a "St Magnus Way", that sort of doesnt link up. Oh well.....

Santiago has more than one way. Your proposal is still good, just needs tweaking.

I suppose the challenge of marketing this to Spaniards, comes with pursuading people from a warmer climate to buy a flight, rain gear and warmer clothes, to walk a more expensive route with no wine and no shrine at the end of it. Perhaps you could do like the monks in Conques, and steal a saint's relics.

Whether the Spaniards come or not, Scottish trails are on my list to get to, so good luck with the project.

 

[Antomuchacho]

I know theres a long history between ireland and spain starting from 1500s onwards with regards to joining forces against the english i dont know if scotland was involved!?

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

Is there an overview with distances and so on for the stages that are mentioned on your website? I can't find anything!

I can put them by the end of this week. Sorry about that.

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

I know theres a long history between ireland and spain starting from 1500s onwards with regards to joining forces against the english i dont know if scotland was involved!?

Indeed.. the Spanish Armada swept on up the Irish coast to the Fair Isle and Westray. Google the Dons of Westray and you will find my article.

LetsGoNorth meets LetsGoSouth

Eye on Spain blog post: Dons of Westray

www.eyeonspain.com

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

you can come to our event...culture and history at its best. www.tinasfreelance.com

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

So Brian Edmund Arrowsmith, born in England, died in England, fought in the lowlands, was one of a group of martyrs, is to be honoured in the Scottish Highlands? Seems to me, honouring a Scot would be more appropriate.


Santiago has more than one way. Your proposal is still good, just needs tweaking.

I suppose the challenge of marketing this to Spaniards, comes with pursuading people from a warmer climate to buy a flight, rain gear and warmer clothes, to walk a more expensive route with no wine and no shrine at the end of it. Perhaps you could do like the monks in Conques, and steal a saint's relics.

Whether the Spaniards come or not, Scottish trails are on my list to get to, so good luck with the project.

There are thousands of Spaniards in Ireland.. both north and south. I spend half my time speaking Spanish. We are hoping the Scottish Pilgrims group will get behind this... and link up St. Magnus on Orkney with ours... time will tell.

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

There are thousands of Spaniards in Ireland.. both north and south. I spend half my time speaking Spanish. We are hoping the Scottish Pilgrims group will get behind this... and link up St. Magnus on Orkney with ours... time will tell.

There are thousands of Spaniards in Ireland.. both north and south. I spend half my time speaking Spanish. We are hoping the Scottish Pilgrims group will get behind this... and link up St. Magnus on Orkney with ours... time will tell.

There are thousands of Spaniards in Ireland.. both north and south. I spend half my time speaking Spanish. We are hoping the Scottish Pilgrims group will get behind this... and link up St. Magnus on Orkney with ours... time will tell.

Of course.. you are right... honouring a Scot would have been more appropriate, but we selected St. Brian (Sparks) as he was my partner for over 30 years and deserved Sainthood recognition for putting up with me for over 30 years. He lives in Scotland, and loves Scotland (as I do) will that do!

 

[Kathar1na]

@FriendsoftheNHW : Could you please explain who promotes this path? You promote https://northhighlandway.co.uk but there is also http://www.northhighland-way.com/ which belongs to a different website. In both cases I can't see which entity or individual is running or promoting the thing.

Also, your website https://northhighlandway.co.uk displays the icon of CSJ and the words CAMINO PILGRIM™ THE CONFRATERNITY OF ST JAMES right at the beginning. When I click on it, it doesn't lead anywhere. Is this renaming idea supported by the CSJ? I take it that they are aware of their virtual presence on your website?

 

[Lirsy]

I don't think many Spaniards lurk on this site.

I think you're wrong!!

 

[Kathar1na]

Brian Arrowsmith, who became canonised as St Edmund Arrowsmith, was born in Haydock, England, in 1585 and was hanged, drawn and quartered in Lancaster, England, in 1628 after being arrested by priest hunters. The relic of his hand is kept in the church of St Oswald and St Edmund Arrowsmith in Ashton-in-Makerfield, England. That’s his major shrine.
No connection at all to the highlands of Scotland.

I'm either slow in making a connection, any logical connection at all, or I am not getting the joke .

Because the OP says: St. Brian was St. Brian Arrowsmith, whose father served in the lowlands fighting for the Spanish, or so the story goes. So... there is a link with Spain.The route is named after Brian Sparks who lived at Dunnet Head for over 15 years and was instrumental in launching the North Highland Way. Brian's English teacher was Mr. Arrowsmith!

It's all camino to me.

 

[Kathar1na]

St. Brian was St. Brian Arrowsmith, whose father served in the lowlands fighting for the Spanish, or so the story goes. So... there is a link with Spain.

Well, thank goodness for Wikipedia, after all! So there is no St. Brian with a Spanish connection as such, the Catholic saint in question is properly called Saint Edmund Arrowsmith and his father didn't fight in some lowlands in the UK, he was a yeoman farmer who had served in the regiment of a certain Sir William Stanley who at one point of his military career was in the service of Spain in the Low Countries.

PS: Low Countries = Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands. Under Spanish rule in those distant days.

 

[Former member 35551]

So, this rebranding of an existing Scottish trail to the Camino of St Brian is to honor your partner of 30 years who is neither a saint or a Scot? This whole endeavor sounds like a bad SNL skit.

 

[Neoscan]

Sorry, is this a joke? Why would you re-brand the 'North Highland Way' as anything else? In addition, we are proposing that the route is fast becoming known as the Camino of St. Brian?!! Why would you want to do this!? I'm sorry, I think this is a ridiculous idea. Keep the name as it is instead of trying to change it to honour St Brian who has nothing to do with the area.

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

Well, thank goodness for Wikipedia, after all! So there is no St. Brian with a Spanish connection as such, the Catholic saint in question is properly called Saint Edmund Arrowsmith and his father didn't fight in some lowlands in the UK, he was a yeoman farmer who had served in the regiment of a certain Sir William Stanley who at one point of his military career was in the service of Spain in the Low Countries.

PS: Low Countries = Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands. Under Spanish rule in those distant days.

I didn't say he fought in the Lowlands in the UK.

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

St Brian as in "Life of Brian?" I'm a Scot but I don't see this as of any interest.

Well don't read it then.. oh dear... such negativity...lol

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

@FriendsoftheNHW : Could you please explain who promotes this path? You promote https://northhighlandway.co.uk but there is also http://www.northhighland-way.com/ which belongs to a different website. In both cases I can't see which entity or individual is running or promoting the thing.

Also, your website https://northhighlandway.co.uk displays the icon of CSJ and the words CAMINO PILGRIM™ THE CONFRATERNITY OF ST JAMES right at the beginning. When I click on it, it doesn't lead anywhere. Is this renaming idea supported by the CSJ? I take it that they are aware of their virtual presence on your website?

Rachel Carson Enterprises runs "this thing" an environmental company. www.northhighland-way.com is run by a guy doing the route marking, but he is not taking into account horses and cyclists as per the spec drawn up by Rachel Carson Enterprises and the Highland Council. I also input into the Scottish Outdoor Access Group and the Land Reform Act in 2003 with Scottish Natural Heritage.
Yes, this idea is supported by the CSJ, they gave me the logo to put on it. The web site will be updated big time once we get the passports.

 

[chinacat]

Your government does nothing for it.

This strikes me as a very inappropriate comment.

Firstly, whose government are you referring to? @kirkie ’s ???
Secondly, have you read this forum’s guidelines for posting comments?

 

[Kathar1na]

I didn't say he fought in the Lowlands in the UK.

I'm a non native speaker of English and it is entirely my fault that I initially misunderstood you when you wrote "in the lowlands" and I took this to mean any flat region, presumably south of the Scottish Highlands. Had it been written with a capital L, I would have understood immediately that it refers to the area that we now know as Benelux.

 

[Leibniz]

Had it been written with a capital L, I would have understood immediately that it refers to the area that we now know as Benelux.

The Benelux plus a little bit of France.

 

[Kathar1na]

Yes, this idea is supported by the CSJ, they gave me the logo to put on it. The web site will be updated big time once we get the passports.

That the Cofraternity of Saint James supports a trail that has zilch to do with medieval pilgrimage, let alone the pilgrimage to Saint James in Galicia, and allows their symbol of the Saint James shell and their trademarked Camino Pilgrim™ logo to be used for your promotional activities is easily the most amazing statement in this thread.

Personally, I just ask myself why oh why. The Scottish Highlands are a wonderful landscape, trails along the Atlantic shore even more so. They don't need spurious promotional claims that, in my opinion, not only diminishes their intrinsic value but also the whole concept of historical medieval pilgrimages paths in Europe and the ideas that are behind their current revival.

Apart from the renaming of this nascent trail to "Camino of St Brian" which exposes you to the risk of being ridiculed, you name as justification for links to Spain in general: a 16th century martyr of England and Wales of the Roman Catholic Church who has never set foot in Scotland and who lived at a time when pilgrimage was already forbidden in England; his father who at one time had belonged to a regiment that was once stationed in the Low Countries under Spanish rule; the 20th century Spanish civil war "where so many Scottish soldiers fought"; the Habsburg Spanish Armada and their aim to overthrow Elizabeth I and abolish Protestantism in addition to other aims related to trade and political power. External and internal wars, not only but also religiously motivated killings on massive scales ... commemorating such events is not what the contemporary revival of the Camino de Santiago in particular is about. More than anything they want to honour the peaceful cultural and economic exchanges between the peoples of Europe in the past and their many benefits as well as foster friendships, openness and tolerance in present times.

 

[chinacat]

That the Cofraternity of Saint James supports a trail that has zilch to do with medieval pilgrimage, let alone the pilgrimage to Saint James in Galicia, and allows their symbol of the Saint James shell and their trademarked Camino Pilgrim™ logo to be used for your promotional activities is easily the most amazing statement in this thread.

Indeed it is!

Thank you for your post @Kathar1na. It’s hard to remember that English is not your first language ... you express yourself so well in (within?) it.

 

[Houlet]

I'm going to start a new Camino too, It will be called Camino Tomas, it is about 600 metres from my house to my local bar.

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

That the Cofraternity of Saint James supports a trail that has zilch to do with medieval pilgrimage, let alone the pilgrimage to Saint James in Galicia, and allows their symbol of the Saint James shell and their trademarked Camino Pilgrim™ logo to be used for your promotional activities is easily the most amazing statement in this thread.

Personally, I just ask myself why oh why. The Scottish Highlands are a wonderful landscape, trails along the Atlantic shore even more so. They don't need spurious promotional claims that, in my opinion, not only diminishes their intrinsic value but also the whole concept of historical medieval pilgrimages paths in Europe and the ideas that are behind their current revival.

Apart from the renaming of this nascent trail to "Camino of St Brian" which exposes you to the risk of being ridiculed, you name as justification for links to Spain in general: a 16th century martyr of England and Wales of the Roman Catholic Church who has never set foot in Scotland and who lived at a time when pilgrimage was already forbidden in England; his father who at one time had belonged to a regiment that was once stationed in the Low Countries under Spanish rule; the 20th century Spanish civil war "where so many Scottish soldiers fought"; the Habsburg Spanish Armada and their aim to overthrow Elizabeth I and abolish Protestantism in addition to other aims related to trade and political power. External and internal wars, not only but also religiously motivated killings on massive scales ... commemorating such events is not what the contemporary revival of the Camino de Santiago in particular is about. More than anything they want to honour the peaceful cultural and economic exchanges between the peoples of Europe in the past and their many benefits as well as foster friendships, openness and tolerance in present times.

Ah yes... Scottish soldiers did indeed fight in the Spanish Civil War, including my ancestors. We learn from these conflicts and move forward peacefully. That's what we all want. As for being ridiculed, I am not being ridiculed in Ireland. They think it's great... as they do in Spain....

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

The passport will be out soon... with a really clever QR code which brings up the accommodation in the area.
Costings yet to be agreed.

Passport

Coming soon….within three weeks… the Passport for the Camino of St. Brian designed by South Regional College in Portadown. Other Caminos can have theirs designed. They will give you a q…

northhighlandway.co.uk

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

Ah yes... Scottish soldiers did indeed fight in the Spanish Civil War, including my ancestors. We learn from these conflicts and move forward peacefully. That's what we all want. As for being ridiculed, I am not being ridiculed in Ireland. They think it's great... as they do in Spain....

Oh yes and indeed the Confraternity of St. James do allow me to use their logo. I wouldn't be doing it otherwise.

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

You can walk, horse ride or cycle the Camino... Let's get out and enjoy... the pilgrimage (which I will be taking in July in Scotland and again in September in Spain)

 

[Deleted member 73526]

You should get in touch with the Scotland's Churches Trust. They're calling this route "The St. Maelrubha Pilgrim Journey."

Northern Coasts - Scotlands Churches Trust

scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk

 

[NorthernLight]

Passports? I walked the newly created European Peace Walk a few years ago. They did passports as well. I thought they were silly; they weren't needed and were just another tree chopped down.

Pilgrimage? Unless you have the bones of St Brian at the end of the trail, this is bait and switch marketing.

However, it becomes clear that you have a personal agenda and nothing anyone else says will matter.

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

Passports? I walked the newly created European Peace Walk a few years ago. They did passports as well. I thought they were silly; they weren't needed and were just another tree chopped down.

Pilgrimage? Unless you have the bones of St Brian at the end of the trail, this is bait and switch marketing.

However, it becomes clear that you have a personal agenda and nothing anyone else says will matter.

It doesn't matter, as Prince Charles will get a copy of the new passport. Ivar is being sent rude links like this.

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

You should get in touch with the Scotland's Churches Trust. They're calling this route "The St. Maelrubha Pilgrim Journey."

Northern Coasts - Scotlands Churches Trust

scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk

I have been in touch with them... they have decided to do it themselves. Good. But I have the passport for the Camino of St. Brian.

 

[Kathar1na]

I'm going to start a new Camino too, It will be called Camino Tomas, it is about 600 metres from my house to my local bar.

Giving it a catchy name is a first step but that doesn‘t make it a camino. At the very least, you need to put up stickers along your camino to mark the way unless you opt for paint and yellow arrows, and hopefully owners along the path will not object to that, and then you need to sell passports and equip at least the pub if not a neighbour or two with stamps and inkpad.

 

[Delphinoula]

Well if your Camino starts at your door any way that leads to Santiago would be considered a walk to St. James.
Any pilgrimage to a shrine is a serious endeavor.
So if I don’t see how it connects to Santiago in Spain it may be my lack of geography. To make it known to others it’s great.
What I see here at home it’s a lot enthusiastically dedicated volunteers that do not profit from it, but old fashioned do it for the love of god.

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

Well if your Camino starts at your door any way that leads to Santiago would be considered a walk to St. James.
Any pilgrimage to a shrine is a serious endeavor.
So if I don’t see how it connects to Santiago in Spain it may be my lack of geography. To make it known to others it’s great.
What I see here at home it’s a lot enthusiastically dedicated volunteers that do not profit from it, but old fashioned do it for the love of god.

Which is what I am doing. I don't get paid, nor does Ivar.

 

[Delphinoula]

Good for you.

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

This looks like a wonderful walk, and as a lover of Scotland and a lover of walking I thank you for posting about it.

I'm not sure about "marketing" it as a camino though...I know that you have brought up some tenuous links to Spain but I can't see any real link to St James or (really) to Spain at all. Many of us here feel a lot of respect for the camino as a pilgrimage, and it means a lot to us, so this idea of piggybacking on it purely to "market" something feels a little uncomfortable.

I think you could gain a lot of interest from camino lovers for this walk without pretending that it's a camino.

Anyway...good luck with this project, it looks really great.

You are right, I intend to do my own pilgrimage in July - just after having been confirmed in the Church of Ireland.

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

You should get in touch with the Scotland's Churches Trust. They're calling this route "The St. Maelrubha Pilgrim Journey."

Northern Coasts - Scotlands Churches Trust

scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk

Good... but they don't have a passport. I have contacted them and suggested a non commercial solution.

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

Is there an overview with distances and so on for the stages that are mentioned on your website? I can't find anything!

It is starting to appear now.

 

[ivar]

I am closing this thread, there seems to be some controversy here that I am not sure how got started, but it seems it goes back some time. It is best if this discussion stops here... the thread has been presented with a link to the website (see first post). Each and one can visit it and make up their own mind.

Let's get back to helping pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago.

Greetings from a rainy, soon to be sunny and warm Santiago!
Ivar