Mull Another Way

10/07/2024

It’s not hard to spot a pilgrim. A hiker tends not to have prayer squares, hearts and pictures of scallop shells on their backpacks.

So when I spotted this pilgrim just in front of me, as we were walking off the ferry from Oban, I knew he was likely heading to Iona. Possibly on foot.

Then when he got on the wrong bus 🚌 I thought he was perhaps in need of some guidance, so offered some help😂.

Turns out Iona was to be the beginning of his pilgrimage as he sets out on . But the bus to Fionnphort didn’t leave for another 2 hours.

So of course I gave him a lift and shared all the tips and pointers I use when guiding pilgrims on the route he will soon set out on.

I completely get the need to travel alone as a solitary pilgrim. I’ve done it myself. And since the south coast of Mull is not for the faint hearted I’ve let him know we are on hand to help at any stage should he require it.

He asked me if I just hung out in Craignure to help obvious pilgrims 😂 - ‘definitely not’ I told him, I’d not been in Craignure for weeks!

It was such a joy to share even such a short journey with another pilgrim across the Ross of Mull.

14/06/2024

Paying attention is a form of reciprocity with the living world, receiving the gifts with open eyes and open heart.‘ Robin Wall Kimmerer

There was lots of paying attention on this birdwatching walk as part of a retreat with Abernethy_Kilmalieu this week.

And we received the gifts of wonder and awe in abundance.

The incredible views, the early marsh orchids, the lesser butterfly orchid, the meadow pipits, trees pipits, sky larks, ravens, song thrush, deer, goats and the company.

The thing I love most when watching for birds is how much you walk with your ears. Yes the eagles and ptarmigan may have eluded us (possibly heard a ptarmigan) but despite that one keen birdwatcher reflected: ‘That was a day that I will remember for the rest of my life’! And I think he meant that in a good way.

06/03/2024

I ramble in more ways than one - you can hear some of my ramblings on the JPIT podcast this week as well as that old Ramblings episode on iplayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000zv3m

This week's episode of is out now!

Listen to Wendy chat about snakes, women, wilderness and contemplation, all in this week's lectionary readings.

Wendy Lloyd is a spiritual director, pilgrim guide and retreat facilitator. She creates and curates worship resources for Guild of Health and St Raphael and works in communications for The Iona Community. Her masters was in bible and contemporary world issues with a particular emphasis in the relationship between contemplation and activism.

Listen to the episode on your podcast provider or on our website here: jpit.uk/politicsinthepulpit

06/03/2024

This week's episode of is out now!

Listen to Wendy chat about snakes, women, wilderness and contemplation, all in this week's lectionary readings.

Wendy Lloyd is a spiritual director, pilgrim guide and retreat facilitator. She creates and curates worship resources for Guild of Health and St Raphael and works in communications for The Iona Community. Her masters was in bible and contemporary world issues with a particular emphasis in the relationship between contemplation and activism.

Listen to the episode on your podcast provider or on our website here: jpit.uk/politicsinthepulpit

01/03/2024

Iona Abbey*

Often the destination or starting point of the pilgrimage journey across Mull.

You can stay as a guest at the Abbey with the

As part of the guest experience you go on a guided pilgrimage around the island.

On that pilgrimage, at the one crossroads on Iona, someone reads aloud the Robert Frost poem, ‘The road not taken’ which ends with these worn words:

‘Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.’

Why not come on the ‘grassy and wanting wear’ road less travelled to or from Iona:

👉www.iona.org.uk/programme to book a place at Iona Abbey.
👉DM or www.mullanotherway.co.uk for help with your road less travelled pilgrimage across Mull.

*I took this photo as I left the Abbey after work and worship this morning, be aware - coming on pilgrimage to or from Iona could change your life.

15/11/2023

The first season ended as it began. With the honour of journeying along the south coast of Mull with an individual pilgrim.

Thank you K for the joy that it was to walk with you through wild winds, by stormy beaches and into ancient caves.

And for being up for walking with Freya the pony on the Pottie loop - she seemed to enjoy it as much as you did!

It was quite the experience!

I’m now taking enquiries for 2024 pilgrimages - watch this space for some special additions to the journey to and from Iona by Another Way.

23/08/2023

Sometimes I have to walk really far and carry lots of kit.

Sometimes I just sits and waits and looks and writes.



+Writing

01/08/2023

I had the honour and fun of guiding this adventurous group of pilgrims from across the UK, all with a connection to Hamilton and Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow.

They chose the full wilderness experience of walking along the south coast route.

It’s hard to find food and accommodation on the south coast route to Iona, so we were delighted to provide full catering and tent transfer (one day with pack ponies!)

We paused at the beautiful places of worship along the route, including the churches - St. Margaret’s Episcopal church in Lochbuie, the old Kilvickeon parish church and St. Ernan’s by the loch.

It was a full wilderness immersion-a bit like boot camp for the soul! Thank you all for being so up for the adventure.

19/07/2023

Did I mention how proud I am of these two?

They had their first pack pony gig a week ago and they nailed it.

Freya carried the tents, Mackie carried lunch and dinner.

They tackled a river ford that was a bit higher than usual because of lots of rainfall the night before.

And they didn’t hesitate to follow me up over rough and boggy heights.

It was a big day out and both of them did a disappearing act at different times that had me a bit unnerved but both reappeared.

We’re still very much in training and have much to learn but if this is our starting point I am very hopeful of amazing adventures ahead.

30/06/2023

Feel Good Friday!

There is also a thriving community of these tenacious Marsh Fritillary butterflies on the old road on Mull - one of the pilgrim routes used by Mull Another Way.

We had a lovely chat with the Butterfly Conservation person on Mull, early on in our pilgrimage planning, to make sure we won't do any harm with our boots, paws or hoofs when passing through.

Contact me at mullanotherway.co.uk for any pilgrimage support enquiries.

Have a good day!

(p.s. We spend more time on Insta than FB - if you want to know more about what we're up to.)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/26/endangered-marsh-fritillary-butterfly-comeback-lake-district?CMP=twt_a-environment_b-gdneco&fbclid=IwAR2lPvRYaWhWdIkt0mHW7a55F-SpUw7g7ommfjzu2xXz2YwS-gSaKKflSdI

Species thriving again after ponies and cattle replace grazing sheep to allow growth of wildflowers

11/06/2023

Accommodation options are limited on the south coast of Mull, if you’re walking to or from Iona.

So we can provide tents and food for small groups who want to camp on the way.

We did this with our most recent booking and it was such a special experience of connection with each other and this beautiful place.

(We also arrange transport to get you to and from your booked accommodation if camping isn’t your thing)