From The Editor

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OUR cover feature this month offers readers insights into some of Scotland’s hidden treasures.

In a stay at home summer, the joy of discovering local beauty spots or places of interest will be greatly appreciated.

One of the simplest joys is rediscovering lost treasures: beauty spots from childhood that remain unchanged.

A few months ago, my family and I spent a lovely afternoon walking to a beach I had frequented as a child. As a small girl the beach seemed many miles away and the journey seemed endless. In reality, it was a 25-minute walk from our starting point.

The walk is now part of the Fife Coastal Path, undertaken by thousands of people every year. It has been partially rerouted for safety but is basically unchanged.

The joy of rediscovery that the path remained as remembered was great, but the greatest joy came at the end of the journey with the spectacular views that I had not appreciated as a child.

Some things have changed – gone are the ruins of a Second World War barracks (now replaced by housing) and a road now connects the other end of the beach. The scrubby wasteland between beach and path has grown into shrubs which are a haven for wildlife. But the stunning views of the sea and the islands which lie there remain unchanged and undimmed.

The rediscovery of such a childhood pleasure could be a metaphor for our journey back to physically gathering in our churches.

The pathway back will not be the same. Whilst there will be some familiar elements, the passage of time and necessity means there will be changes – all will not be as it was.

“ The pathway back will not be the same. Whilst there will be some familiar elements, the passage of time and necessity means there will be changes – all will not be as it was.”

Much will have changed on return – and is likely to change again in future – but the ultimate pleasure of worshipping (and singing) together in church (and online) will remain undimmed, despite the changes taking place all around us.

At the heart of all of the change which lies ahead for the Church of Scotland – and indeed across the Christian church as a whole in Scotland – is an inherent belief in the goodness and love of God providing the light and love on the journey ahead on the pilgrim path – and the necessary nudge and call to action for us all.