NTHNHS: Health and Wellbeing Magazine - Issue 1, October 2021

HEBRIDEAN Reflections

By lead chaplain, Jim Wright

It is 3pm Friday afternoon. I have just cycled 80 miles. I sit under the impressive red brick structure of the Butt of Lewis lighthouse, which, in addition to providing protection of ships since 1862, doubles as the finishing point of the Hebridean Way: 10 Islands, six Causeways, two ferries and 185 miles north of where it began on the isle of Vatersay.

As a rare Hebridean sun continues to insist beating down on me, I unpeel the cling-film from my lunch and reflect on my journey of the past five days.

I have glided past so many beautiful beaches that I have lost count. Each night has welcomed a sunset more glorious than the last. I have sat in Iron-age roundhouses. I have been awe struck by ancient standing stones erected 5000 years before. I have climbed up passes through mountains some 2.9 billion years old. I have eaten lots of cake and in turn been eaten by the infamous Scottish midge.

My simple reflection is this – I have had the privilege to see and do some marvellous things. I have been blessed with incredible weather but also faced the challenges of steep hills and aggravating pests. However, through it all, (and best of all), I did not make this journey on my own: I had people to eat cake with; the sunsets were not marvelled at alone. At the end of each day, I shared a whisky toast with those around me, as we discussed tired legs and midge bites. In that shared experience I found friendship and fellowship and gave thanks for the precious gift of travelling companions.

Three weeks later, I am in my office at the University Hospital of North Tees, my black coffee steams in its ‘Hebrides” mug. I continue to journey. The joys and struggles of a long distance bike ride may be of a different nature to working in the NHS but the inner truth of both are alike. I know that each joy and challenge, each steep struggle and each downhill thrill, will not be experienced alone, but alongside my current precious travelling companions here in this trust.

And once again, I give thanks.5.