Sharon Grech Camilleri, A “Different Scotland” Camino
“A Different Scotland”
was my second Camino in Scotland with XirCammini, and once again it exceeded my expectations.
I surely enjoyed the fresh air and the beautiful Scottish Highland breeze, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It gave a sense of tranquility as we explored charming coastal towns and rural landscapes, surrounded by magnificent historical sites and beautiful architecture.
The path led us through diverse landscapes and rugged cliffs, passing through coastal towns from Aberdeen to Inverbervie, Stonehaven, Johnshaven, Montrose, and finally Arbroath. Each town had its unique history and charm, with castles, ruins, abbeys with old walls that seemed to whisper stories from centuries gone by. As I walked, I reflected on how many people had travelled these same paths over thousands of years before me.
The scent of flowers, especially pink roses and my all-time favourite, Lavender, mixed beautifully with the sound of crashing waves, the rhythm of tides, and the calls of seagulls that accompanied us along the way. It was the perfect reminder of how restorative it is to reconnect with nature.
Once again, I admired the iconic Highland cows, as well as countless sheep grazing freely and staring at us, beautiful horses and birds.
One of the things I love most about Camino is that it teaches us to slow down. We stop, take in what is around us, enjoy the scenery, eat delicious blackberries or a piece of bread while recharging before setting off again. These simple moments become the most memorable.
We walked alongside rivers, climbed steep hills, descended winding paths, and crossed fields of grass, wheat, and purple-pink thistles. We walked along long stretches of sandy beaches and others with colourful pebbles, with a gentle breeze carrying the sand like a dream. At times, I closed my eyes and felt as though I could drift away, leaving behind the noise and worries of everyday life. It was one of those moments where everything felt exactly as it should!
Every step was shared with wonderful people, some of whom I had met on previous Caminos and others I met for the first time. We shared stories, laughed together, kicked a football (found on the beach), encouraged each other when the path became challenging, and rewarded ourselves with traditional fish and chips and the famous fried Mars bar! It was a lot of calories, but after such long and demanding walks, we could say we had earned every bite 😄
Reaching Arbroath was a special moment, and we celebrated together. We also enjoyed the most awaited Sunday roast at the historical seaside town of St Andrew’s, which made the experience even more memorable. Our journey came to a perfect end in the lovely city of Edinburgh.
My sincere thanks go to James, Tucc, and everyone involved in organising this Camino. Every detail was taken care of, allowing me to enjoy the journey. It is more than just a walk, it is an experience that nourishes the body, mind and soul.
Interested in walking a Camino? Self-guided, with family or a small group of friends? You walk… We’ll handle the rest. Local airport transfers, daily baggage transfers, accommodation, even a Camino guide if you wish: Contact us on information@XirCammini.org