The Church Stairs

The first mention of the steps is in a document from 1370, though it has been surmised that the pathway at least existed before this time as the Church of St Mary on the clifftop had been in existence since the 12th century. Sometimes referred to as Jacob's Laddera reference to a similar biblical allusionthe 199 steps were the most direct route from the town to the church for funeral processions. The steps were seen by some as the commitment of Christians in the town, having to travail to worship; however, some of the infirm were unable to climb the steps. This led to a new church being built on the west side of town in 1778, named St Ninians. In the 18th century, an act to bring all roads,…