ABSTRACT
The iconic image of the pilgrim is of someone making a journey on foot, often carrying a staff for support. However, as we have seen, the importance of the physical journey to a pilgrimage site varies according to denominational and geographically situated historical practices (for example, the tradition of a medieval pilgrimage route). Markedly different from Orthodox pilgrimage to Meteora and Catholic pilgrimage to Subiaco, in the case of the Isle of Man, walking is the defining characteristic of the pilgrim’s experience. These relatively short pilgrimage walks allow insight to the nature of pilgrimage for locals, as well as for visitors. This in turn raises theological questions about the nature of pilgrimage in the Western tradition: is physical travel and effort necessary to claim the title of pilgrim? How far does one have to travel to be a pilgrim? What does it mean to undertake a spiritual journey?
