The Scottish Camino
A journey back to the time of Scottish outlanders, warriors & pilgrims.
The St. Columba’s Way Expedition
This is an extremely rugged and arduous Camino with few services and, especially towards the end, long stretches of wilderness through some of Scotland’s most rugged terrain. Because of the physical demands and the nature of the landscape, in 2027 we offer this 320 km (200 miles) expedition by invitation only.
St. Columba’s Way: To the Isle of Iona
Adventures exist past on the edges of maps no longer known. From coastal lowlands into the rugged wilderness of the Scottish Highlands and Inner Hebrides, this route is a practical test of traveling across an ancient path, often devoid of services or signs of civilization.
The journey is framed by the historical arrival of Saint Columba in AD 563. Our Camino moves from the ancient Cathedral of Saint Andrews toward the origin of Scotland’s first monastery, returning to the foundational roots of the earliest pilgrims. It is hard to understate the arduousness of the terrain and the endurance required.
This Camino - travelled before the city of Santiago de Compostela was built - has become largely forgotten. Our field team holds an aspiration to bring this Camino alive again and to so-to-speak put it on the map again.
Today there are no signposts, few services, and often no trail. On some sections, we will sleep under the stars, as well as carry and cook our food in the hills. Because of these factors, our Scottish Camino is by invitation only in 2027.
The Departure - Fife
We begin at the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral on the edge of the North Sea. The first stage is a transition from the coastal air of Fife into the rolling hinterlands. Walking west, we leave the "Santiago of the North" behind, heading through the Kingdom of Fife towards the crossing of the River Tay. The terrain is manageable here, allowing for a steady pace as the body adjusts to the trek.
Perthshire
As we move deeper into the heart of Scotland, the rural farmland begins to give way to the hum of historic towns like Perth. We cross ancient rivers and follow paths that have served travelers for centuries. The scenery shifts from open fields to the dense woods of the Tay Valley. This section is about finding a rhythm before the elevation begins to increase significantly.
The Highlands
We are in the mountains as we enter the Highlands and move into the rugged beauty of Breadalbane. The terrain becomes increasingly demanding following tracks around Loch Tay and through isolated glens where we leave behind civilization and begin to cross over hills and valleys. There are reminders of the old days too, standing stones, castles, old churches—some in ruins, some just marked by memories. We push toward the west coast and the port of Oban.
Cradle of Christianity.
We travel by boat to the Isle of Mull, where we encounter our most rugged and wild terrain yet. After traversing the isle from east to west, we arrive at Fionnphort. Then, after a final short crossing over the water, we arrive at the Isle of Iona, a tiny island in the Inner Hebrides which is revered as the cradle of Christianity in Scotland. It is here that, in AD 563, Saint Columba and twelve companions arrived from Ireland to establish a monastery
Join Us on The Camino de San Salvador
Next Camino: [Insert Dates]
Duration: [Insert Days]
The Journey: León to Oviedo
Group Size: Limited to 8–10 participants
What is Included: Accommodations, boat transfer, luggage transfers, breakfast and dinner, and on-trail support.
"If you have questions about the terrain or the pace of the Camino de San Salavador feel free to reach out. We'd love to chat."