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When does the pilgrimage start?
We will start our pilgrimage from Corran Youth Hostel five miles south of Fort William with a simple cross-blessing and raising of the cross ceremony to mark our coming together as pilgrims. The walking starts from the Youth Hostel on Palm Sunday 1st April.
How do I get to the Corran Youth Hostel?
You will need to get to the Corran Bunk House by the late afternoon/evening of Saturday 31 March 2012. If arriving via Fort William you can either catch a bus towards Glasgow along the shores of Loch Linnhe (about eight miles) and alight at the Corran Bunkhouse, South Corran, Onich which is approximately two miles after the ferry terminal (Nether Lochaber Ferry Terminal) or the minibus will be making a number of trips during the afternoon at 16.00, 17.00, 18.00hrs (departing from outside the Fort William train station). If coming from Glasgow via bus ask to be dropped at the Corran Bunkhouse in Onich just before the Corran Ferry.
How much do I have to carry?
Only your daysac. Throughout the pilgrimage we will have use of a minibus to carry the baggage and the exhausted. All that will be carried on the pilgrimage itself, aside from the cross, is a daysac, with such essentials as waterproofs, flask and food supplies.
How difficult is the walking?
It is vital to understand that the physical requirement of Scottish Cross is to be able to cope with not one single day of demanding walking but several such days in succession. Whilst we would emphasise that the weather in Scotland can be unpredictable, we do have a back-up minibus, which is available to carry those who need it. The pilgrimage walk we are doing this year is following the West Highland way for the first few days before travelling westwards and over to Mull. The main issue is that there are not many opportunities for part day walking as the route is not near the road, this means that individuals will have to decide whether they are able to walk the whole day or prefer to help out with the minibus team for the day.
Generally, on Mull the walking is variable, it can be muddy and exposed in places. Sometimes the walking will be on deer-grass rather than paths; which combined with the ascents, descents and ScotlandŐs famous boggy terrain, can be testing.
How much does it cost?
The charge for the week is £250 (£225 if you pay the deposit by 15th January 2012). A non-refundable deposit of £100 is required to secure a place. The balance of payment should be made by 7th March 2012.
A limited number of subsidised places are available at £140 including a non-returnable deposit of £70. These are funded by voluntary contributions from other walkers are available on a first come, first served basis. Examples of beneficiaries would be students and low/unwaged. If you wish to apply for a subsidised place, please indicate on the application form, your subsidised place will be confirmed as soon as possible (normally within 7 days) after which you will need to send a non-refundable deposit of £70 by 15th January 2012. If you wish to discuss your application or the potential for a subsidised place, please contact Monica Turner via the contact us page or by telephone on (020) 8870 4210.
How do I apply
Use the online application.
And what does the cost include?
The charge covers accommodation, breakfast and packed lunches, evening meals, and all the transport including the minibus, fuel and ferry fares from the start of the walk at Corran Youth Hostel to the end of the pilgrimage at Oban on Easter Monday. Additional costs are confined to the cost of getting to and from the pilgrimage and the price of a wee dram or an odd pint, any chocolate or such like that you may wish to buy. Please note that there few cash points along the route, so remember to bring cash with you.
Boots and Waterproofs.
It is essential that anyone embarking on this pilgrimage has good walking boots and waterproofs. Without them the experience can be extremely miserable, not to say painful.
Additional Considerations?
If anyone who is considering applying for the pilgrimage is unsure as to their suitability on health grounds they should check with their GP. It is also strongly recommended that all pilgrims take out insurance cover (for loss or damage to personal property & personal accident cover) for the walk.
Be aware also that accommodation is not luxurious - this is not a holiday! They range from bunkhouses and Youth Hostels to village hall floors, so most accommodation will be communal.
What about liability?
Everyone who comes on the pilgrimage comes at his or her own risk.
How do we get back from Iona?
The cost of the pilgrimage includes transport back to Oban for around 12 noon on Easter Monday morning. At Oban there are good road, coach and rail links to Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Who is organising the pilgrimage?
Scottish Cross is run by those who take part, a group of ordinary Christians. The preparations are done in their spare time. It is not a profit-making business-type operation in which a service is delivered to those who pay the charge. Everyone who comes on the pilgrimage is expected to participate to make the pilgrimage a valuable Easter experience for all. What we do, we do for ourselves, so please come along with a willing and generous spirit. You will have plenty of opportunity to demonstrate your culinary or porridge making skills. We do all our own cooking, washing-up and loading the minibus, so we will be asking all pilgrims during the walk to play their part in helping out with jobs. We also organise our own music and liturgy, please do use the application form if you are interested in volunteering before the pilgrimage for music or minibus driving (D1 on licence required) as this will help us in our planning for the pilgrimage.
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