We numbered
nine pilgrims walking from Selkirk to Galashiels, in the first day of our
journey to mark Flodden 500. The weather was unusually hot and we were graced
with the excellent hospitality of the ladies of Selkirk URC who provided tea
and coffee to accompany our packed lunches. A short service led by our
Moderator Rowena Francis followed and we were each given a candle to remind us
of the peace and reconciliation theme of the Northern Synod Pilgrimage 2013.
The tenth member of our team was Norma our minibus driver - a welcome sight at the
end of the first eight miles
A visit to
the Selkirk Peace Garden was a tranquil moment before starting the climb out of
the town. Soon, we were among hills, sheep, horses and a buzzard or two,
identified by our physical walk leader Henry Gowland. We mused over the miles
and miles of our country where there are no people at all, just creatures of
the four-legged variety and an abundance of insects enjoying the blistering
sunshine more than us at times!
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| Selkirk Peace Garden |
We had
various stops along the way when our second spiritual leader Mary regaled us
with snippets of history even pre-dating the 1513 Battle of Flodden. Our
backgrounds may have been quite different, but we fell into the easy
conversation of friends sharing a common purpose.
Our route
followed the Borders Abbeys Way, passing Lindean and Cauldshiels Lochs towards
Abbotsford House once home of Sir Walter Scott, while the Eildon Hills were
never far from view. We felt our spiritual journey had started in a very
special place
Olive Ford
and Maggie Davison
I know Selkirk URC. I spent a few years in Selkirk. A lovely town.
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