The first Sunday of July each year is the occasion of the Annual Pilgrimage to Scalan College, in the Braes of Glenlivet. For most of the 18th Century this was the only place in Scotland where young men were trained for the priesthood.


From 1717 to 1799 over 100 seminarians studied in this secluded place, despite repeated attacks by Hanoverian soldiers, and the college played a vital role in keeping the Catholic faith alive in northern Scotland.

The purpose of the pilgrimage, organised by the Scalan Association,  is to remember the past and to pray for the future.

On Sunday 6 July 2008 some 100 pilgrims from various parts of Scotland gathered for the celebration of Mass at the historic site.

 

 


 

Canon Brian Halloran, president of the Scalan Association, was main celebrant at the Mass. Concelebrants included priests from throughout Scotland, from Salamanca and from Truro in Cornwall. 
 
                                        

                                                                                                                               

The homily was preached by Canon Donald MacKay, administrator of St. Columba's Cathedral, Oban.

Read more about the history of Scalan here

Read Canon MacKay's homily here