Camino Columba - The Way of St. Columba
A journey back to the time of Scottish outlanders, warriors & pilgrims.
Isle of Iona to St. Andrews.
250 miles/400 kilometers
The St. Columba’s Way - Scottish Camino
This is a rarely travelled route, with long stretches of wilderness through rugged terrain. Beginning on the Isle of Iona where St. Columba first introduced Christianity to Scotland in the fifth century - To the iconic city of St. Andrews. Along the way we also visit Oban, Perth as well as historical towns, villages, high mountains as well as countless lochs and glens.
St. Columba’s Way: Iona to St Andrews
Adventures exist past on the edges of maps no longer known. From coastal lowlands into the rugged wilderness of the Scottish Highlands and Inner Hebrides, this route is a practical test of traveling across an ancient path, often devoid of services or signs of civilization.
The journey is framed by the historical arrival of Saint Columba in AD 563. Our Camino moves from Iona to ancient Cathedral of Saint Andrews.
This Camino - travelled before the city of Santiago de Compostela was built - has become largely forgotten. Our field team holds an aspiration to bring this Camino alive again and to so-to-speak put it on the map again.
Today there are no signposts, few services, and often no trail.
Fife & Perthshire
We begin at the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral on the edge of the North Sea. The first stage is a transition from the coastal air of Fife into rolling farmlands. Walking west, we leave the North Sea behind, heading through the Kingdom of Fife towards the crossing of the River Tay at Perth, former Capital City of Scotland The terrain is manageable here, allowing for a steady pace as the body adjusts to the trek.
The Heart of Scotland
As we move deeper into the heart of Scotland, the rural farmland begins to give way to the hum of historic towns like Perth. We cross ancient rivers and follow paths that have served travellers for centuries. The scenery shifts from open fields to the dense woods of the Tay Valley. This section is about finding a rhythm before the elevation begins to increase significantly.
Western Highlands
We are in the mountains as we enter the Highlands and move into the rugged beauty of Breadalbane. The terrain becomes increasingly demanding following tracks around Loch Tay and through isolated glens where we leave behind civilization and begin to cross over hills and valleys. There are reminders of the old days too, standing stones, castles, old churches—some in ruins, some just marked by memories. We push toward the west coast and the port of Oban.
Cradle of Christianity.
We travel by boat to the Isle of Mull, where we encounter our most rugged and wild terrain yet. After traversing the isle from east to west, we arrive at Fionnphort. Then, after a final short crossing over the water, we arrive at the Isle of Iona, a tiny island in the Inner Hebrides which is revered as the cradle of Christianity in Scotland. It is here that, in AD 563, Saint Columba and twelve companions arrived from Ireland to establish a monastery
Join Us on The Scottish Camino
Next Camino: July 4 - 19, 2026
Duration: 15 days
The Journey: St Andrews to Iona
Group Size: Limited to 4–6 participants (This Tour is by invite-only in 2026 & 2027)
What is Included: Accommodations, ferry transfers, luggage transfers, all meals, and on-trail support.
"If you have questions about the terrain or the pace of the Scottish Camino feel free to reach out. We'd love to chat."