Teachers from St Margaret’s School for Girls in Aberdeen have completed the first two stages of the only Scottish pilgrimage route named after a woman.
The staff set themselves the challenge of completing the 60-mile pilgrimage route over the 2024/25 school year to raise money for the school’s means-tested Bursary Programme, which supports children from lower income families.
Last weekend, Headteacher, Anna Tomlinson, and teacher of Chemistry, Judith Robson, were joined by former pupils, current families, and friends of the school to complete the first two stages of the St Margaret's Way in Fife, walking over 24 miles from Edinburgh to South Queensferry and South Queensferry to Burntisland. The teachers are inviting members of the school community to join them for the third stage of the walk which will take place during Women’s History Month on Saturday 22nd March.
The St Margaret’s Way is inspired by the life of Queen Margaret of Scotland and starts from the centre of Edinburgh ultimately ending at St Andrews Cathedral in Fife. The purpose of walking the scenic route through Scotland’s rich history is not only to honour the connection to the school, but to raise funds to make an all-girls’ education more accessible to those who would otherwise be unable to afford it.
Anna Tomlinson, Headteacher at St Margaret’s School for Girls, said: "Through our Bursary Programme we strive to widen access to the only girls’ school in the north east of Scotland. The St Margaret’s Way is the only pilgrimage route in Scotland named after a woman and as our school was also named after her it seemed like a wonderful opportunity to link our school’s history with this fundraising challenge. Queen Margaret of Scotland was a pioneering woman in her own time, and as a school community today, we are committed to empowering young women to make a difference in the world."
Judith Robson, teacher of Chemistry at St Margaret’s School for Girls, said: "In this challenge we will follow the way of Queen Margaret of Scotland to both honour her and her work with children and young people. Despite the wet weather on day one, we woke to sunshine on day two and met with St Margaret’s families and friends to join us on our way from South Queensferry, across the Forth Road Bridge and on to the ancient coastal path. The chat and friendship continued to grow as we made our way along the route and we made great memories to see us all through to the next leg of the challenge in the spring.”
For more information about the walk and opportunities offered by St Margaret’s School for Girls visit www.st-margaret.aberdeen.sch.uk.