St Ninian of Whithorn

During our short break to the South of Scotland, we decided to visit St. Ninian's cave in Whithorn.

It is a place of Pilgrimage, long associated with St Ninian who is alleged to have used this cave as a quiet place to pray.

When we got to the car park, the notice said, "St. Ninian's Cave 1 mile. Stout shoeware recommended."

Dear reader....whenever you see such a warning, pay heed. My dear wife shrugged her shoulders, and in her high heels, set off down the path towards the beach in search of Ninian's cave. Now between us and the cave lay mud, a very rocky beach and a bitter wind.

But we offered it up. After all, it was a Pilgrimage, not a holiday....

My wife has a back problem, ( and high heels )I have a small heart problem, so we were not going to be in a hurry. Just as well.

Suffice to say, we finally reached the beach, where the wind was blowing the waves strongly on to the rocks. But Ninian's cave was a tad further on, but we both persevered, and finally reached the hallowed cave. On the way, my wife gathered some wood an some rope, and made a rugged little cross, which we left in the cave.

Ninian himself is quite an elusive character. No written history exists of him from his lifetime. Only things written long after his death.

He is thought of as Scotland's first Saint, who brought the Gospel to Scotland even before Augustine arrived in England, something Pope Benedict drew attention to on his visit to Scotland.

There is no doubting that Whithorn has long been a Christian Centre. Evidence of settlement from the fiifth century has been discovered by archaelogists. We also know that from the 7th Century, Christians were making Pilgrimages to Whithorn in honour of St. Ninian. And his fame spread, with churches around Britain and Europe being named after him.

It was inevitably the Reformation that brought an end to Whithorn Pilgrimages. But in recent years , their popularity has rekindled the practice, and Christians of many denominations now take part in such shows of faith.