Scotland’s saints, whose miracles include raising the dead, curing the mad and even saving a queen from execution, could now be asked to perform another miracle – boosting the country’s tourist trade.

The Church of Scotland has suggested harnessing the religious significance and fascinating history of the Scottish saints to attract a new wave of tourists and pilgrims.

The move, mooted in the Kirk’s magazine, would certainly answer the prayers of hoteliers, bed and breakfast owners and restaurateurs who have suffered in the recent downturn.

In an editorial of the August edition of Life and Work, Lynne McNeil writes: "I have often felt that the Church should engage more in the business of tourism.

"At the moment, it is piecemeal and depends very much on local congregations."
Mrs McNeil highlights the tourist popularity of lona, St Giles in Edinburgh and Glasgow Cathedral. She adds: "But what about the stories of faith that inspired the buildings and are important to local communities?

"Scotland has a rich tradition of saints and spirituality. However, much of that is rarely promoted outside Scotland.

"Tour parties from Scotland regularly visit the Holy Land on pilgrimages, but what about the rich seam of heritage and spirituality on our doorstep?

"Perhaps the answer lies in the Church developing its own informal tourism strategy.

"In these financially straitened times, in both the Church and secular society, every opportunity should be grasped."

Peter Kearney, spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland said: "Our shared Christian heritage could help us through the recession. Most of our history is pre-Reformation, but I agree entirely with the Church of Scotland over a Christian tourism initiative.

"We had been thinking about writing to VisitScotland about producing a Christian Heritage Trail leaflet for tourists.”

• Full story at The Scotsman.

• Filed under Business, Church of Scotland, History, Scottish Christian News Monitor.