Fr Jim Walls, Spiritual Director at the Scots College in Rome, is expected to complete a 290 mile fundraising pilgrimage from Iona to Lindisfarne tomorrow (Friday 16 July).

And he's been getting a little help from his brother priests as his route takes him through our Archdiocese.

He was joined on day 18 and 19 of his adventure by Fr Jock Dalrymple (main pic, top left), parish priest at St John's and St Mary Magdelene's in Edinburgh.

On Day 17, during his trek from Innerleithen to Melrose (17 miles) he enjoyed "excellent hospitality" courtesy of Fr Tony Lappin of St Joseph's Parish in Melrose (main pic, bottom right).

And on day 13 he visited St Theresa’s Church on the East Calder to West Linton route (11 miles), thanking Frs Kenneth Owens and Peter Krakowiak for their "exceptional hospitality" (main pic, top right).

Purpose

Fr Jim, a priest of Dunkeld Diocese, is undertaking the feat on foot in solidarity with vulnerable people who flee their homes and suffer in Europe and the UK whilst seeking sanctuary.

He has been offering Mass in parishes along the way for the spiritual support of refugees and raising sponsorship for the Catholic Workers House in Calais. Fr Jim became passionate about this project seeing the plight of refugees in ‘the Jungle’ at Calais during a visit to the site.

He has smashed his fundraising target of £10,000 having reached over £13,000.

Speaking of the support and hospitality he has received during the pilgrimage, he said: "May all migrants receive such a hearty welcome and warm encouragement. I ask people to pray for migrants on the UK border who are looking for safe refuge."

Make a donation on Fr Jim’s sponsorship page, here.