Recent years have shown a growth of interest in long distance walking as a leisure and health-giving activity.
Along with this has been a resurgence of interest in the traditions of pilgrimage;
the daily rhythm of the walk giving space for thought and spiritual reflection.
The Kentigern Way may be undertaken as a pilgrimage or as a long-distance walk with much of historical interest to offer or
simply as an opportunity to take time away from the daily bustle to enjoy the simple pleasure of walking
through ever changing scenery, discovering new places.
The inspiration for this walk has been St. Kentigern, also known as St. Mungo, patron Saint of Glasgow and one of a band of missionary monks spreading Christianity throughout Scotland in the middle-ages.
From his base in Glasgow, Kentigern travelled widely on foot throughout Clydesdale, Upper Tweeddale and Annandale on
his missionary activities. He was responsible for establishing a major monastic centre at Hoddom, just north of the
present town of Annan and would have made frequent journeys between Glasgow and Hoddom. The Kentigern Way long-distance
walking route recreates one of these journeys. It takes as its starting point the town of Annan, just south of Hoddom,
traverses the three river valleys of the Annan, the Tweed and the Clyde finally to arrive in the great Victorian
city of Glasgow with its Cathedral, built on the site of Kentigern's original monastic cell.
The route is almost entirely off road leading the walker on clearly waymarked paths through the magnificent sweep of Scottish Border landscapes, encompassing pleasant riverside walkways, loch-side trails and high moorland hills, with many a delightful Border town encountered on the way. The walk comprises 10 sections of more or less equal length with accommodation facilities available at the end of each section.
On the way there is much of interest to beguile the walker. Treading in the footsteps of Roman legions, Border rievers and cattle
drovers the walker will encounter traces of Iron-age strongholds, Roman forts, medieval churches, castles, battle fields, and
lingering tales of Kentigern and the elusive Merlin. In the space of this journey, they will traverse five millennia of
Scottish history.
The website is subject to gradual expansion as the volunteer steering group's work develops.
While the site is in its development stage, any information or comments should be made by e-mailing to
info@kentigernway.com.
The Terms, Conditions & Walker's Responsibilities associated with this website can be accessed by
clicking here.
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