So why did this start?

It began in 1975 when a number of pilgrims got together at the end of a Student Cross pilgrimage to Walsingham. As they had walked Student Cross a few times they wanted to walk somewhere different for Easter.

The key elements were maintained, to build up a small Christian community as the group walked along the road carrying crosses ; a preparation for Easter; a retreat; a witness to people we passed; prayer, silence, love and happiness. However in the beginning it was also decided that there would be two rules.

1.This is an Ecumenical Pilgrimage
2.There is no other rule.

A number of destinations were suggested; but it was settled for Holy Island as a place to walk to, as it embodied Celtic Christianity and somewhere where English and Scottish groups could meet, close to the border. The original Pilgrims causeway to Holy Island naturally led to the decision to use this as the final stage of the journey to Holy Island - across the sands.

Maps were pulled out, and it seemed that Penrith would provide a reasonable starting place, seven good walking days away. Northern Cross was born. Newcastle leg was added in subsequent years and 1978 saw a leg begin from Edinburgh. The final main leg, Lanark leg, was founded about 1980. Like Student Cross, similar size crosses were made, that could be carried by 3 people, laid flat.

Around 1990 time had moved on, and some of the original routes were no longer viable due to the increasing danger from vehicle traffic. The decision was made to move much more to footpaths, and this necessitated lighter crosses that could be carried on their side by two people. Some halls had closed down over the years, forcing changes of route. So the present Carlisle route was born like a phoenix from the ashes of Penrith, and the Newcastle route moved outward to Hexham, which later was adjusted to Bellingham, with the leg being renamed Northumbrian. St Cuthbert's and Haddington legs were created in more recent years to provide walking routes for different profiles.