The Pilgrimage
Northern Cross is an annual, ecumenical, Christian cross-carrying, walking pilgrimage to Lindisfarne (Holy Island) that takes place at Easter. The pilgrimage was founded in 1976 by walkers from Student Cross seeking a new destination, who led a group of pilgrims on a walk from Penrith (near Carlisle) to Lindisfarne, taking it in turns to carry the Cross. The pilgrimage has grown over the decades and currently consists of up to seven different 'Legs' that start from different areas of the Scotland-England border region leading up to the celebration of the Easter Triduum. The Pilgrimage has been officially ecumenical since its start and welcomes all faiths and those of none, although it has a strong Christian flavour.