Events
Update: After many delays, the stonemason is now carving a reconstruction of the Skinnet Stone. He is thrilled to report that he has identified two symbols, of hippocampi, on the original stone that are so worn that he is the first person to realise that they are there! He hopes to complete the stone by end August/beginning Sept.
22nd July 2023: Have just said good-bye to ‘our’ stonemason, David McGovern of Monikie Rock Art, who was here in Caithness to re-acquaint himself with the Skinnet Stone as we now have planning permission to erect a reproduction of this amazing example of Pictish art. David will be using traditional methods to carve the new stone, which will look as the existing stone would have looked when new. He hopes to have it ready for installation in April/May 2024.
3rd to 16th July - the ‘Legends of Caithness’ event is being held in the Ross Institute, Halkirk. For more details, go to their facebook page. This tells the story of the Caithness fairies and others through the medium of paintings and talks.
24th April - update. We now have the funding needed for the Skinnet Stone! Just waiting for planning permission before instructing the stonemason. So excited!
12th February 2023
It occurred to me that people might like to know about our latest project - not an event as such but really exciting and worth sharing! We are currently fundraising for a substantial amount to allow us to recreate two Pictish carved crosses and place them where they will be close to their original settings but easily accessible to the public. The Skinnet and Ulbster stones are famous in the Pictish Art world and these reproductions will look as the original stones would have done when new. They will be made using traditional methods, hence the price tag of about £45-£50,000. However they will be wonderful assets for the villages of Halkirk and Thrumster and will stand as witnesses to our Christian heritage for another thousand years.
We will be holding a proper event to mark the erection of these stones but this will be many months away. In the meantime, if you would like to feel part of the project, we would love to receive a donation from you. Just go to our ‘donate’ page.
19 November 2022
A bit late, but just in case it catches someone’s attention - we are holding a consultation exercise in Halkirk Heritage Museum on Saturday 16th November ‘22 from 1-4 to gather the views of local people on our plans to erect reconstructions of he Skinnet and Ulbster Carved Stones as near as is practical to their original settings. All welcome
We now have a facebook page and you might find that a more efficient way of keeping in touch!
20th June 2022
With thanks to the Dounreay Community Fund and the Gordon & Ena Baxter Foundation, we now have a supply of laminated directional signs. Two of our trustees have been touring the country and placing them at the various junctions. At 10cm x 10cm, they are an aid to the walker but are not a distraction for car drivers.
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On Saturday 21st May 2022, we were presented with the SPRF Bronze Award at an event in St Fergus Church, Wick, see below.
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We planned three events during 2021, in Tain, Thurso and Kirwall. Due to Covid regulations, only the Tain and Kirkwall events took place. However they were both very successful, see below for details.
Sept 20th 12:30pm
We will be holding our AGM on 20th Sept at 12:30pm in the hall of St Ann'e’s RC church, 2 Sweyne Road, Thurso. KW14 7NW.
Talk on the writings of George MacKay Brown by Alison Gray
As part of the Kirkwall event, Alison Gray, who wrote a biography of George MacKay Brown, will give a talk on his work. This will depend on any restrictions in place at the time. Exact time and venue to be decided - watch this space!
Northern Pilgrims’ Way Event Kirkwall
We are holding three pilgrimage events during 2021, the Year of the Pilgrim. As we do not know what regulations will be in place on the chosen dates, we are hoping to have the events recorded onto YouTube in case numbers are limited at a live event. The YouTube item will be called 'Northern Pilgrims Way Events'. Each event will consist of a church service followed by a short talk on the Northern Pilgrims' Way and, for those attending in person, some refreshments. The details so far are:
29th May 2021 in St Duthac's, Tain at 2pm. This event went ahead and the recording can be seen on our YouTube channel - ‘northern pilgrims way events’
3rd July 2021 in Old St Peter's Kirk, Thurso at 12:30pm. Sadly, this event had to be cancelled.
20th August 2021 in East Church,Kirkwall at 12:00md
This event went ahead and the YouTube recording can be seen at https://youtu.be/MN4F1qi_aJY
Northern Pilgrims’ Way Event Tain
This event went ahead despite the various restrictions. We had to limit our numbers but nevertheless enjoyed a wonderful afternoon in this historic setting. After a moving service of dedication, we moved outside to socialise in bright sunshine!
The event was recorded and is available on our YouTube channel (go to https://youtu.be/rpR4MWAgtQA) There are also some photos on the facebook pages of the Tain and District Museum and the Northern Saints Trails.
We are now preparing for the following:
3rd July 2021 in Old St Peter's Kirk, Thurso at 12:30pm
20th August 2021 in East Church,Kirkwall at 12:00md
Please check this website for any updates.
Below you will find a collection of interviews, presentations and press about the Northern Pilgrims’ Way. If you’d like to talk to us about giving a talk or an interview, please just get in touch.