Princess Michael of Kent has been unveiled as the royal patron of Pluscarden Abbey’s special 1230-mile pilgrimage next year.
It is anticipated she will raise the profile of the groundbreaking 1230 Pluscarden Pilgrimage, taking place in 2017, which will cover a distance of 1300 miles and retrace the historical roots of the abbey founding monks.
Retired Gordon Highlander Lieutenant Colonel and event organiser David Broadfoot said:
“We’re delighted that she has agreed. It’s great news. I’m not sure what her involvement will be yet, but it would be great if she was at either the start or finish or even when we go through London.”
The military stalwart traveled to Rome last year for lengthy talks with experts about the monks who founded Pluscarden.
He subsequently laid plans for the “1230 Pluscarden Pilgrimage”.
He said: “It was during a 12-hour meeting in Rome before Christmas that myself and others planned the initial route.
“Huge interest in the project has been expressed, it’s caught me slightly by surprise. We have 40 signed up so far and one person has shown interest in completing the whole route. Once we have carried out reconnaissance of the route, we can get the nuts and bolts of it put together.”
Participants will walk up to 100 miles a week during the event, which starts in Burgundy in France and finishes at Pluscarden Abbey on the outskirts of Elgin between next June and September.
Mr Broadfoot said: “Sundays will be treated as a day of rest and worship, with a regular change of participants and sponsors throughout the 13-week duration.”
With a limit of 40 walkers a week, and a minimum £1230 target to be raised by those involved, the event hopes to raise almost £1million.
Pluscarden Abbey needs to amass £5million to complete restoration work on the medieval monastery’s South Range.
A stone from the original abbey in France will be carried throughout the pilgrimage, constituting the foundation stone of the new south range.
The Abbey was founded in 1230 by Valliscaulian Monks who traveled the 1300-mile journey from Burgundy, France. This pilgrimage will now recreate by their modern counterparts.
A documentary covering the event is currently in the planning and a book will be published with a view to establishing the route as a permanent pilgrimage.
Anyone interested in taking part should go to www.appealpluscardenabbey.org.uk
