Pilgrimage
Written by John Macpherson
Pilgrims journeying to Iona. © John MacPherson
I enjoy the chance encounters with people that sometimes occur.
I met these three ladies on Mull, at Fionnphort, where the small ferry to the Isle of Iona departs. This is a busy ferry, taking an estimated 130,000 people to Iona each year.
“We came from central Scotland on the bus to Oban. That was a whole day and more than 100 miles” said one lady
“It was tiring” said another.
“We had a night in Oban” said the third.
“Then we had to get the ferry from Oban to Craignure on Mull. That was an early start but it was nice on the ferry with the stormy sunrise.”
“We had to get a bus all the way from Craignure to here. I didn’t realise the Isle of Mull was so big! It took forever. Having to stop in passing places and wait for sheep on the road! But it was nice to see.”
“We hoped to get to the Isle of Iona. We’ve always wanted to go to Iona, to see the Abbey and the wonderful interior.”
Noting a hint of sadness in their voices, I asked “But?”
“But the weather is so bad the ferry will not run today”.
“We’ve spent days and hundreds of miles traveling here on our wee pilgrimage to Iona but can only stand and look across at the island. But not get there. And the forecast is worse for tomorrow and maybe the next day too, and we have to go back home, so it looks like we wont get there. We’ll need to try another time.”
“What will you do today instead?” I ask
Giggles.
“We’ll drink tea and then come out and stand in the rain and look across at Iona!” said the first lady
“The rain is warm so that’s a bonus!” said the second
“Its lovely for our skin. It keeps us looking young!” said the third
I smiled, and replied “I can see that! Do your mothers know where you are?”
And as they walked off arm in arm they just laughed and laughed and laughed.
Author — John Macpherson
John MacPherson was born and lives in the Scottish Highlands. He trained as a welder in the Glasgow shipyards, before completing an apprenticeship as a carpenter, and then qualified as a Social Worker in Disability Services. Along the way he has cooked on canal barges, trained as an Alpine Ski Leader & worked as an Instructor for Skiers with disabilities, been a canoe instructor, and tutor of night classes in carpentry, stained glass design and manufacture, and archery. He has travelled extensively on various continents, undertaking solo trips by bicycle, or motorcycle. He has had narrow escapes from an ambush by terrorists, been hit by lightning, caught in an erupting volcano, trapped in a mobile home by a tornado, kidnapped by a dog's hairdresser, rammed by a basking shark and was once bitten by a wild otter. He has combined all this with professional photography, which he has practised for over 35 years. He teaches photography and acts as a photography guide & tutor in the UK and abroad. His biggest challenge is keeping his 30 year old Land Rover 110 on the road. He loves telling and hearing stories.