The St Magnus Way App

The St Magnus Way app allows you to access pilgrimage resources relevant to your location whilst you walk. Think of it as a museum tour guide in your pocket. The GPS technology will let you know when you get to a Waypoint by triggering a short bagpipe melody if you have your notifications switched on for the app. If you press the Waypoint icon, you will be able to access any associated resources. You can then view or play these files to find out more about where you are and reflect in various ways on the landscape and stories. You can also ignore your phone entirely whilst you walk and check out the resource before or after instead!

About the app

The app was designed in partnership with location app specialists AT Creative and our website developer NB Communication. It combines mapping information on the route, with resources relevant to the locations and, behind the scenes, it integrates with our website so we only have to upload information once. We're really pleased about this as all the writing and updating of content is done by volunteers in their spare time. You can read more about the project here.

Using the app

Please note - this is a work in progress and resources will be added when available.

You need to install the app before walking and, within the app, you also need to download content for offline use. This means you then don’t need wifi or a 4G signal whilst you walk. This is helpful as some parts of the route have no phone signal at all and 4G coverage is very patchy.

Top tips for using the app

• Once you have downloaded the app, it will lead you through the installation process.
• You can choose to download the resources either to your phone or your SD card - if memory is an issue you can also choose to download only the section you are going to walk the next day.
• Once installed, click on the route section you wish to walk and then click start route. You need to start a route in order to collect the badges for that section as you pass each icon on the map.
• With the mapping, you can choose satellite view but again do this before you leave your wifi connection.
• You can check your progress in the Pilgrim's Progress screen - each location will light up when you have passed it.
• When passing an icon your phone will play the melody of the St Magnus Way by Andy Cant. This haunting bagpipe tune will cut through the wind but you may also wish to switch your phone to vibrate for a more reflective experience!
• Headphones are necessary – we are predominantly using audio files so that you can walk and listen at the same time.
• Each icon offers a range of resources – you don’t need to access all of them. Find your own balance between thought provoking interpretation and reflection from others and the chance to dwell with your own thoughts and feelings, as well as those of any companions on the way.
• The app also works with tablets and iPads – so if you’d rather keep your phone switched off, use another device instead.
• The app is optional! All information is here on the website and you may prefer to access resources before you go or after you return.
• If you are having problems using the app, please contact us.