Why did you decide to join the pilgrimage?
I enjoyed watching the previous series and I found it to be one of those rare programs where people really got a lot out of doing it. For me, being brought up as Church of England but not being a practising Christian, I wanted to know how important religion was to me. I also always loved RE at school, and I wanted to know more about other religions and how religion played a part in other people’s lives.
Did you have to prepare in advance for the pilgrimage? What did you do? What did you NOT do?
I did go on lots of walks to break in my walking boots, although I did get a few funny looks walking around my small village with my rambling sticks. Me and my boyfriend went to get all the equipment I would need, and I was the definition of ‘all the gear, no idea’ because I didn’t even know you had to be fitted for a back pack, and oh my word, waterproof jackets aren’t always waterproof, I learnt that very quickly: they could only withstand so many droplets of rain – a mistake I will never make again.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during this pilgrimage?
As well as the walking – because I am not a lover of walking up hills let me tell you – just the weather was a big challenge. Walking in the freezing cold rain and then getting to a hostel and never quite really warming up wasn’t fun. But for me the biggest challenge was being questioned on my religion. I think there’s a reason we are told never to discuss politics and religion, and that’s because they’re such personal parts of our lives, so to be talking for 15 days non-stop about religion, it really makes you think about yourself in a different way.
Tell me about your experience on the series? What was your highlight?
The highlight for me was attending a mass in a cave, what a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that was. It’s something I will never ever forget. Also meeting new people and them becoming friends. Also being invited into their lives – going to the Sikh temple with Monty was such an amazing experience.
What was the hardest part?
Missing my family and boyfriend was actually the hardest part. Because I was talking about religion I often found myself talking about love, and thinking how God helped me through hard times, so I felt like it made me appreciate them a lot more.
What was the most emotional part of pilgrimage for you?
For me it was hearing Will’s story of how religion gave his family hope when he nearly passed away as a child. I think Will is a true inspiration and a genuinely lovely bloke.
How did the weather affect your mood during the journey?
Nobody likes walking in the rain, especially when even your bone marrow is cold.
Did you see others behave differently during the harshest weather conditions?
I think we all tried to stay jolly and come together as a team. We definitely helped each other out a lot.
Are you affiliated to any religion? If so, which? Do you practice?
I am Church of England and I do now, since the experience, make more effort to pray. I speak to my pappy about God more and I think it’s made me less embarrassed about being open about how religious I am. I think before the show I wouldn’t have dared speak about it on social media or anything but it’s a part of me and I’m proud of that.
You spent two weeks with a group of strangers. Did you learn anything new about yourself through the experience?
I learnt that my go-to emotion is tears. When I couldn’t quite explain myself properly, I think I just cry as a release, so the show’s helped me grow up a lot and now I take a deep breath and put my feelings across in words more.
I love how the whole group is in a WhatsApp and Nick called me just yesterday actually asking how I was. They’re a great bunch of people.
Based on your experience on the Pilgrimage, what might you do differently in the future?
Get a better waterproof jacket.
What did you learn about the other pilgrims’ faiths that you didn’t know before? What fascinated you about their beliefs?
I learnt so much and I think the big thing I learnt – whether it was about Sikhism, Judaism or Muslim beliefs – is that religion is so personal to people. And everyone is entitled to give themselves the label of a religion without feeling that they must go to their place of worship every day. As long as you know in your heart your beliefs, that’s all that matters.
Prior to this pilgrimage, had you ever found yourself discussing faith and religion with your contemporaries before?
Never. Politics and religion are always conversations I shy away from.
Did anything about this pilgrimage surprise you?
Just how religion plays different parts in people’s lives. I found living with monks very interesting, that they dedicate their whole life to their faith as they had a calling. I also assumed monks would act a certain way, but they were funnier than some stand-up comedians I’ve met, they had us laughing so much.
Describe your feelings when you reached the end of the Pilgrimage and arrived in Iona?
A sense of understanding, how it must have been for St Columba. It also felt like a sense of achievement that we had done it. And the question I wanted answering about how important religion is to me, was answered.
Would you do it again?
In a heartbeat… although I’d love it to be somewhere hot.
