Winding their way through a captivating landscape of coast, castles, valleys and mountains, these special routes transport the traveller through the ancient Kingdom of Northumbria, land of the Northern Saints and cradle of the industrial revolution. As Gareth walked, he carried a small guitar on his back and performed concerts for local communities everywhere he stopped. The journey provided the inspiration and raw material for a new album of original songs written on retreat in the Cheviot Hills and back on Lindisfarne in the Autumn of 2025.

During 2026 Gareth takes “A Troubadour Journey” out on tour including a series of events back along the pilgrimage trails in June. The concerts will gather together the stories and experiences woven into new music from his time walking through these beautiful parts of Northumberland and Durham. For audiences the events promise a vivid and entertaining musical encounter with the sights, sounds, history and contemporary heart of these Northern pilgrimage trails. As well as the new material, the concerts will also feature selected songs from across Gareth’s career that capture a sense of journeying and particularly the spirit of the Northern Trails - for example, “Lindisfarne” about Eadfrith and the writing of the Lindisfarne Gospels.

Taking place in The Fratry Hall at Carlisle Cathedral, this event starts at 7.30pm.