McLeod hails St Ninian Ways debate success
MSP for the South of Scotland Aileen McLeod has warmly welcomed an undertaking by Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop that Historic Scotland officials will commence work on assessing the feasibility of creating a European Cultural Route to Whithorn.
The Cabinet Secretary was responding on behalf of the Scottish Government to Aileen McLeod’s member’s business debate on the proposal to make a network of pilgrim routes to Whithorn worthy of European Cultural Route status. Inspiration for the embryonic “St Ninian Ways”
comes from the long history reflecting the long history of religious pilgrimage associated with St Ninian and highlighting Whithorn’s historical significance as the first Christian site in Scotland – the cradle of Scottish Christianity.
Historian and heritage tourism consultant James Brown has proposed that the “St Ninian Ways” should be candidates to become a European Cultural Route, giving them comparable international recognition and status, for example, as the pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostela.
Following the debate Aileen said:
“I am delighted that members of all parties recognised the unique historical significance of Whithorn and the real potential there is to establish a European Cultural Route which has Whithorn as its focal point and destination. It would really put Whithorn on the map.
“By establishing the St Ninian Ways, with Whithorn as their destination, and seeking European Cultural Route status for them, I hope that we can dramatically boost Whithorn’s profile as an important historical site, not only for Scotland, but for the development of Christianity in western Europe.
“I am delighted therefore that the Cabinet Secretary undertook that her officials will start work with all of the groups which will need to be brought together in order to make a bid for European Cultural Route status possible and also that she will ask the Environment Minister to assist with land and transportation issues.
“This is a great step forward for this big idea. Although there will be a great deal of hard work to come, I am very pleased that we have started off in the right way, with cross party support from the Parliament and the Scottish Government.”
James Brown added:
“Already many people have helped to bring one of the routes – from Glasgow through Paisley and Ayrshire – close to being a formal entity.
The desire to experience the spiritual benefits of pilgrimage is clearly growing, and it is equally shared by people with no faith background. And, as in ancient times, these new routes promise a much-needed economic boost to local communities.”
