Planning Continues Iona to Rome

[John R McLean]

Things are becoming more clear as each day passes. Planning routes, ordering maps, guides etc. Still working on options to ensure Schengen compliant but as of now Iona to Rome is the route of choice. From Rome will depend on how things go over the next year. I have sorted a route through the UK that I will add below. If anyone has experience, knowledge or wisdom they'd like to pass on I'd really appreciate the feedback.
Iona to St. Andrews on St Columba's Way
St Andrews to Edinburgh on St Margarets Way
Edinburgh to reach St Cuthberts Way via St Wilfrids Way
St Wilfrids Way to Kirk Yetholm and The Pennine Way
The E2 from the Pennine Way to Guildford
Guildford to Canterbury on The Pilgrims Way
Canterbury to Dover on The Via Francigena.
Cheers!
John

 

[NualaOC]

Hi John. I've no wisdom to share, but I'm looking forward to reading the replies to your post. What an exciting journey you're planning! Best of luck with it all.

 

[John R McLean]

Hi John. I've no wisdom to share, but I'm looking forward to reading the replies to your post. What an exciting journey you're planning! Best of luck with it all.

Thank you! It's getting very real now!

 

[Deleted member 76633]

Have a look at the www.pilgrimstorome.org.uk site. Give me a shout when you are on the Canterbury section.

 

[John R McLean]

Have a look at the www.pilgrimstorome.org.uk site. Give me a shout when you are on the Canterbury section.

Thank you for the link. I'm still a while away for Canterbury as I don't kick off my walk until May 2019.

 

[Jan_D]

Hi John, what an adventure you have planned! I've walked St Margaret's Way, it's very well sign-posted (as the "Fife Coastal Path") - you can find more detailed info on the Coastal Path website, or some walking reports on this website: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fife-stirling/fife-coastal-path.shtml

I plan to walk St Columba's way (or parts thereof) this summer so will let you know if I have anything to report! I'm based in St Andrews so give me a shout if you need any info from this part of the world (and if you need some pilgrim company once you get here of course!)

The only advice I would give about walking from May onwards is that you might need to pack midge protection. The west coast of Scotland is beautiful that time of year, but the midges can be a real nuisance! Here's a description and some advice: https://must-see-scotland.com/midges-in-scotland/

 

[Former member 49149]

Hi John, what an adventure you have planned! I've walked St Margaret's Way, it's very well sign-posted (as the "Fife Coastal Path") - you can find more detailed info on the Coastal Path website, or some walking reports on this website: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fife-stirling/fife-coastal-path.shtml

I plan to walk St Columba's way (or parts thereof) this summer so will let you know if I have anything to report! I'm based in St Andrews so give me a shout if you need any info from this part of the world (and if you need some pilgrim company once you get here of course!)

The only advice I would give about walking from May onwards is that you might need to pack midge protection. The west coast of Scotland is beautiful that time of year, but the midges can be a real nuisance! Here's a description and some advice: https://must-see-scotland.com/midges-in-scotland/

great advice, Jan_D. glad you gave the correct name for the creatures. On a wiciloc post some time ago I nearly died laughing at the frequent mention of midgets... is there any protection against those creatures? Original poster, what an adventure you are setting up! I am jealous, almost. I hope to follow your trip when you set off, though it won't be for a while yet.

 

[Jan_D]

ha ha ha that's hilarious! Although knowing the Scots they probably wouldn't even correct you, in fact they'd probably build on it to the point where you started to worry about a clan of tartan-wearing small people waiting to pounce on you in the highlands (when I first arrived here someone actually kept me going for a wee while with stories about the haggis, a rare creature with legs on one side longer than the other so it could walk around mountains more easily! although of course I didn't believe them for one second *blush*)

 

[Deleted member 76633]

Thank you for the link. I'm still a while away for Canterbury as I don't kick off my walk until May 2019.

No problem. I may be ahead of you then.

With your name you may want to see Skye before you start at Iona. Lots of "family" there - plus the occasional tartan-wearing small people waiting to pounce

 

[John R McLean]

Hi John, what an adventure you have planned! I've walked St Margaret's Way, it's very well sign-posted (as the "Fife Coastal Path") - you can find more detailed info on the Coastal Path website, or some walking reports on this website: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fife-stirling/fife-coastal-path.shtml

I plan to walk St Columba's way (or parts thereof) this summer so will let you know if I have anything to report! I'm based in St Andrews so give me a shout if you need any info from this part of the world (and if you need some pilgrim company once you get here of course!)

The only advice I would give about walking from May onwards is that you might need to pack midge protection. The west coast of Scotland is beautiful that time of year, but the midges can be a real nuisance! Here's a description and some advice: https://must-see-scotland.com/midges-in-scotland/

I wondered about those damn midges! Thanks for the heads up and the links. Cheers!
John

 

[John R McLean]

No problem. I may be ahead of you then.

With your name you may want to see Skye before you start at Iona. Lots of "family" there - plus the occasional tartan-wearing small people waiting to pounce

Actually our clan are from Mull. I spent a month there a few years back, walking as much as I could. I did Ben More and a bunch of the Clan sites.
Cheers!
John

 

[Gerard Murdoch]

Things are becoming more clear as each day passes. Planning routes, ordering maps, guides etc. Still working on options to ensure Schengen compliant but as of now Iona to Rome is the route of choice. From Rome will depend on how things go over the next year. I have sorted a route through the UK that I will add below. If anyone has experience, knowledge or wisdom they'd like to pass on I'd really appreciate the feedback.
Iona to St. Andrews on St Columba's Way
St Andrews to Edinburgh on St Margarets Way
Edinburgh to reach St Cuthberts Way via St Wilfrids Way
St Wilfrids Way to Kirk Yetholm and The Pennine Way
The E2 from the Pennine Way to Guildford
Guildford to Canterbury on The Pilgrims Way
Canterbury to Dover on The Via Francigena.
Cheers!
John

Good luck and Blessings on your future Pilgrimage. This one may be just out of your route, but still a wonderful Pilgrimage, on the paths to Whithorn. Where Christianity flourished in Scotland by St Ninian. http://www.whithornway.org/
Buen Camino.

 

[John R McLean]

Good luck and Blessings on your future Pilgrimage. This one may be just out of your route, but still a wonderful Pilgrimage, on the paths to Whithorn. Where Christianity flourished in Scotland by St Ninian. http://www.whithornway.org/
Buen Camino.

Very interesting! Ive book marked the website. Looks really good.
Cheers!
John

 

[Deleted member 76633]

Apologies if this is seen as a hijack but a word about Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome (http://www.pilgrimstorome.org.uk/).

There is a walk planned for 7th April on the Canterbury to Dover section, the only section not on mainland Europe. It will give those around then the chance to start off their VF. This is a joint walk with a group of 57 members of the Arras-Compostelle-Francigena Association. Website has further details.

 

[John R McLean]

Hi John, what an adventure you have planned! I've walked St Margaret's Way, it's very well sign-posted (as the "Fife Coastal Path") - you can find more detailed info on the Coastal Path website, or some walking reports on this website: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fife-stirling/fife-coastal-path.shtml

I plan to walk St Columba's way (or parts thereof) this summer so will let you know if I have anything to report! I'm based in St Andrews so give me a shout if you need any info from this part of the world (and if you need some pilgrim company once you get here of course!)

The only advice I would give about walking from May onwards is that you might need to pack midge protection. The west coast of Scotland is beautiful that time of year, but the midges can be a real nuisance! Here's a description and some advice: https://must-see-scotland.com/midges-in-scotland/

This route looks like a nice option for getting to Edinburgh from St Andrews vs the more direct route (St Margarets Way). Thank you!
Cheer So!
John

 

[John R McLean]

Apologies if this is seen as a hijack but a word about Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome (http://www.pilgrimstorome.org.uk/).

There is a walk planned for 7th April on the Canterbury to Dover section, the only section not on mainland Europe. It will give those around then the chance to start off their VF. This is a joint walk with a group of 57 members of the Arras-Compostelle-Francigena Association. Website has further details.

Hahaha No amount of information will be seen as a hijack lol
Cheers!
John

 

[John R McLean]

BTW I've joined the LDWA and the CSJ as both look like great resources.

 

[Former member 49149]

ha ha ha that's hilarious! Although knowing the Scots they probably wouldn't even correct you, in fact they'd probably build on it to the point where you started to worry about a clan of tartan-wearing small people waiting to pounce on you in the highlands (when I first arrived here someone actually kept me going for a wee while with stories about the haggis, a rare creature with legs on one side longer than the other so it could walk around mountains more easily! although of course I didn't believe them for one second *blush*)

Jan, I am one of them critters - Scots, not midgies!- and had a lovely bit of haggis today for my dinner!

 

[John R McLean]

This arrived yesterday! It came with the map book as well. So far it looks pretty good.

 

[John R McLean]

The route is taking shape!

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Things are becoming more clear as each day passes. Planning routes, ordering maps, guides etc. Still working on options to ensure Schengen compliant but as of now Iona to Rome is the route of choice. From Rome will depend on how things go over the next year. I have sorted a route through the UK that I will add below. If anyone has experience, knowledge or wisdom they'd like to pass on I'd really appreciate the feedback.
Iona to St. Andrews on St Columba's Way
St Andrews to Edinburgh on St Margarets Way
Edinburgh to reach St Cuthberts Way via St Wilfrids Way
St Wilfrids Way to Kirk Yetholm and The Pennine Way
The E2 from the Pennine Way to Guildford
Guildford to Canterbury on The Pilgrims Way
Canterbury to Dover on The Via Francigena.
Cheers!
John

Quite a plan.

Once you reach dover, take a running jump and SWIM, JOHN, SWIM!!!!