Description

In this beautifully written narrative, Oliver Smith presents a fresh perspective on the timeless tradition of pilgrimage, exploring trails both ancient and contemporary. On This Holy Island delves deep into the history of sacred travel, spanning journeys taken from the distant chants of Ice Age rituals through to the vibrant pilgrimages of our modern era. Smith guides readers through Britain’s sacred landscapes, chronicling adventures that lead him to climb into hidden sea caves, spend nights inside Neolithic tombs, ascend long-forgotten holy mountains, and even strand himself at sea.

On journeys that encompass cathedrals and churches, prehistoric stones, and ancient paths, this thought-provoking travelogue highlights Britain’s spiritual heritage in all its forms—prehistoric, pagan, and Christian. Alongside these timeless routes, Smith also uncovers surprising new pilgrimage sites of contemporary life, such as football stadiums and music festivals. Though the roads followed are ancient, the pilgrims Smith encounters are distinctly from our modern time.

Ultimately underpinning this compelling book is an eternal truth: journeys provide personal meaning and inner discovery. As Smith vividly reveals, to follow a path outwardly often means exploring the depths of one’s inner self, for “the unravelling of a path goes in tandem with the unravelling of the soul.”