Scottish Cross

Questions and Answers

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What are the dates of the pilgrimage?

We will be gathering by Loch Linnhe at Corran bunkhouse on the 23th March 2024 and will make our way back home from Iona on Easter Monday 1st April 2024.

How much does it cost?

The cost is £340 (£325 if you pay the non-refundable deposit of £100 by 16th January). Please pay this deposit once your place has been confirmed. The balance of payment should be made by 15th March.

A small number of subsidised places are available at £230 (with a £100 deposit received by 16th January). Please indicate that you wish to apply for a subsidised place on the application form and this will be confirmed with you within 7 days. Examples of beneficiaries would be students and unwaged who cannot afford the pilgrimage cost.

How do I get to the Corran Bunkhouse?

You will need to get to the Corran Bunkhouse by the late afternoon/evening of Saturday 23th March. If arriving via Fort William you can catch a bus towards Glasgow along the shores of Loch Linnhe (about eight miles) and alight at the Corran Bunkhouse, South Corran, (Corran Ferry Terminal) or take a taxi (about £25). 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 your reasonably-sized baggage and the exhausted. All that will be carried on the pilgrimage itself, 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 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.

We will be carrying our cross with us each day.

We will also be asking that everyone take a turn in helping out in the minibus for one day during the pilgrimage and therefore not walking. This is to assist with the logistics in loading and emptying the minibus each day, as well as starting to prepare an evening. The minibus driver will be fully employed in collecting and dropping off pilgrims so we will need a second person with the driver to help with the luggage and meal preparation in each overnight stop.

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 Bunkhouse 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 are few cash points along the route, so remember to bring cash/card with you.

Special Diets

We do make every effort to accommodate special diets, but the cooking facilities are limited in some of our overnight stops, so flexibility in this area would be appreciated and you may need to bring your own supplies.

Boots and Waterproofs

It is essential that anyone embarking on this pilgrimage has good waterproof walking boots and waterproofs. Without them the experience can be extremely miserable, not to say painful. Please see our kit list for what to bring.

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 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. We recommend that you have insurance cover in case of cancellation or evacuation.

How do we get back from Mull?

The cost of the pilgrimage includes the ferry back to Oban on Easter Monday, when we finish our pilgrimage. Oban has 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.

Scottish Cross