Welcome to the Revd Simon Hessett as he sets out on his ecumenical Pilgrim ministry, commissioned both by Bishop Ian and the Moderator of Fife Presbytery. 

Simon writes: “I thought I might shed a bit more light on what a pilgrim pastor gets up to when they’re not out walking! A lot of my job is helping the churches along the way to connect with the path and the people walking it, in the hope that we can both encourage more people to walk it and for churches to open their doors to provide facilities to pilgrims and other walkers.”

To contact Simon about the Fife Pilgrim Way, email him at pilgrimpastorfife@gmail.com.

This summer, the Revd Simon Hessett, Fife Pilgrim Pastor, will be running a short series of pilgrimages taking in places associated with saints with a connection to Fife.

Join us on Thursday, 30th July 2026, when the walk will be look at St Margaret (Queen Margaret of Scotland).

This walk will leave South Queensferry 10am for 10.30am departure (the start point is tbc) and it will be possible to join it closer to Dunfermline for those who might struggle with the whole 20km.

If you’d like to join, please register here: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GSIJ, where you can also find a list of joining points and times. The walks are free of charge, but please register.

Very grateful thanks is extended to the wonderful staff at OnFife, who have agreed to open St Margaret’s Cave late for the group and to Fr Syriac at St Margaret’s Parish, Dunfermline & Oakley for opening late so that the group can see St Margaret’s relic.

Tuesday, 4th August 10am to 3pm Fife : Forthview Parish Church

St Fillan’s, Aberdour Faith in the Festival

A Pilgrimage to Aberdour join at Fife, Forthview Parish Church, Dalgety for a welcome coffee and scone before setting off on a Pilgrimage to Aberdour, via St Bridget’s Kirk.  There will be a stop to share in Communion before walking along the Avenue.  Once  in Aberdour you will be welcomed by tea, soup and cake with a conversation between Pilgrim Pastor, the Revd Simon Hessett and the Revd Andrea Fraser.  Donations to the work of the Pilgrim Pastor.  Spaces limited, sign up at Dalgety Church office to book office@dalgety-church.co.uk

On 16th December we walked from Dunfermline Abbey to St Columba’s Church of Scotland. St Columba’s church is a fantastic building, ultra-modern, spacious and full of light. The banners in the sanctuary are gorgeous (hand made by a very talented crafter). They also have a superb organ and an even better organist who led us in a verse of Hark the herald angels sing and what a friend we have in Jesus!  Dorissia and Valerie were in their element.

Revd. Andre Groenewald was so welcoming, and tea, coffee and chocolate biscuits were set before us as we pilgrims trooped through the door! 

PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

Where in the Diocese is Bishop Ian?
Click on the above link to find out!

For an introduction to this pilgrimage, watch the video below and click HERE

Follow his recent visits on the Pilgrim’s Progress page HERE

See the the video playlist HERE

Car & Bike Pilgrimage from Killin to St Andrews
5th to 10th SEPTEMBER 2022 – RESCHEDULED

For further information please contact Rev Gennie Evans at rev.gen@btinternet.com

Highlights from the Diocesan Pilgrimage 2021

Diocesan pilgrims joined together on the Fife Pilgrim Way from Ceres to St Andrews on 10th September 2021, led by guides Revd Alasdair Coles and Nick Cooke.

https://youtu.be/Lb5W-9c1YU8

The Celtic Blessing given by Revd Anne Haselhurst at the Hallow Hill stop on the pilgrimage on Friday.

Celtic Blessing – Hallow Hill FPW 2021

It was agreed that, for a variety of practical and other reasons, the planned St Andrews Pilgrimage to should be curtailed to a 1 day walk on Friday 10^th September along the Ceres to St Andrews section of the Fife Pilgrim Way. This was in effect a repeat of the Pilgrimage organised in July 2018.

Diocesan Pilgrimage 2021

Booking Form 2021

Rochester to Canterbury
5th to 10th July 2022   POSTPONED to 2023

COST (as of 29^th March 2022)

(incl. return rail fares, Bed & Breakfast accommodation and cathedral tours)

Single pilgrim: £450

Pilgrim couple sharing: £800

Deposit DUE 30th APRIL: £200

Contact pilgrimage@standrews.anglican.org

Itinerary

Apart from breakfast, all other food and drink at own cost.

Every day there will be plenty of time to pause and visit pilgrim churches along the Way (and for rest stops in pubs!) which are all part of the pilgrimage experience.

5^th July

0911 Lumo train from Edinburgh Waverley to London Kings Cross

1425 London St Pancras to Rochester

Check in at the Travelodge before exploring the city for a late lunch or last minute items to take on the pilgrimage.

1730 Evening Prayer / Evensong at the Cathedral and short ‘William’ tour

6^th July

Walking from Rochester to Thurnham (9 miles)

(Evening prayer in St Mary Magdalene, Gillingham.)

Overnight stay at the Black Horse Inn, Thurnham

7^th July

Walk from Thurham to Lenham (7.5 miles)

(Evening prayer in Lenham)

Overnight stay at the Dog & Bear Inn, Lenham

8^th July

Walk from Lenham to Chilham (12 miles)

(Evening prayer in Chilham)

Overnight stay at the Woolpack Inn

9^th July

Walk from Chilham to Canterbury (6.5 miles)

3.30pm Evening Prayer / Evensong at the Cathedral followed by a tour (maybe up to the cathedral roof space as well?)

Overnight stay in the Cathedral Gatehouse Hotel

10^th July

Morning Prayer & Sung Eucharist in the Cathedral

Lunch together at Strada

1426 train from Canterbury West to London St Pancras

1613 Lumo train from London Kings Cross to Edinburgh Waverley

Other previous pilgrimages

COP26 PILGRIMAGES

Season of Pilgrimage

Guided Pilgrimage by Car and Bike

SEC Save the dates – St Andrews Pilgrimage 2021

SEC – St Andrews Pilgrimage 2021 – EOI form