In a brand-new show, Robson Green braves the iconic Camino de Santiago in Spain, and he was so inspired by his journey that he had an inking to remind him of it, just like many other pilgrims have done.
Granchester star Robson Green has had his first tattoo at the age of 60. The Geordie actor decided to get inked after completing a spiritual ancient pilgrimage in northern Spain for a new TV show. He walked more than 90 miles along the famous Camino de Santiago (The Way of St James) and many of those who complete the trek choose to get a lasting reminder of their achievement in the form of a tattoo.
On the spur of the moment, when he finally reached his destination, the Soldier, Soldier star decided to follow suit by getting one of a scallop shell on his upper arm. Robson joked: “That definitely wasn’t in the script! I have loved this pilgrimage on the outside but for me it’s been more about the journey within.
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The actor continued, “The walk seems to leave an indelible mark on anyone who walks it, so that many pilgrims choose to do so before they leave Santiago by getting a Camino tattoo. And I’m not one of them, as it turns out.
“I have the tattoo to prove it, and it gets under your skin,” says the tattoo artist. The walk was going to be a memorable experience, in my opinion.
Robson braves the legendary Camino in his new TV series The World’s Most Amazing Walks airing on U and U&Yesterday. He will be seen tackling treks all over the UK and Europe but admitted his favourite was in Spain.
The walk dates back to the 9th Century when it is said the remains of St James – one of Jesus’ apostles – were discovered in Santiago de Compostella. The Camino is actually a network of trails across Europe which end up in Santiago in north Spain.
The Camino Frances, which is the most popular hike, can take six weeks and covers 500 miles. Robson chose to complete a 90-mile journey that would take him from O Cebreiro to Portomarin, Melide, Argua, and finally Santiago.
Along the way, he stopped at hostels that have become overnight lodging for half a million walkers who pass through them annually during his six-day journey on foot.
Robson loved the story behind the scallop shell sign, so he decided to use that design on his arm because the trek features many symbols for walkers to follow the route.
The scallop shell is my favorite symbol, he said, and images of it were everywhere because pilgrims collected them from the Galician coast as evidence of their journey from Santiago years ago.
The ridges on the shell, according to legend, represent the routes that lead to Santiago, but the shell was used as a drinking vessel or a food bowl.
“The people who do this had a goal, and they were all there for many reasons. The emotional response was profound when they succeeded in their goals. I got a tattoo from the rest of them because I was so moved by them.
When he came back to the UK, he went straight into filming the final series of Grantchester and kept his inking secret. However it got revealed when a guest star on the drama, where he plays cop Geordie Keating, spotted it being covered up by the make-up artists.
Robson continued, “I had to show my shoulders in a scene while filming Grantchester.” And I was spotted by one of the actors’ guests who saw the scallop shell.
“Oh, you walked the Camino,” he said as he went. ‘Buen Camino ‘ I’m thus a member of the Camino club. Without the cameras, I’ll definitely be returning.
Robson Green: The Most Amazing Walks in the World will debut on U and U& on October 27th at 8pm.
Source: Mirror
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