July 4, 2026
And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Matthew 8:20 NRSV
My first day and night in Scotland were an adventure. I arrived in Glasgow on time, managed to find a cab to Queen Street Railway Station, and grabbed a much-needed espresso. Recognized three lost and exhausted-looking people who I discovered were some pilgrims headed to Iona, and taking the same train. It made the rush of finding the right gate and train car.
After arriving in Oban, we made plans to meet for dinner at a fish-and-chips place on the pier in Oban. They took off to find their hotels, and I tried to find the Pier Rooms, advertised as “Oban’s first short-stay self-check-in hotel, a modern and efficient alternative for travelers seeking flexibility and minimal human interaction during their stay, including a double bed with hotel-quality linen, free superfast WIFI and a 32” smart TV. At roughly 7.5 m², each windowless room offers ultimate comfort and convenience. Each room was equipped with sophisticated climate control and modern bathrooms with power showers.” It was a steal for 99 British Pounds a night when I made the reservation. I found it after a bit of wandering around – I noticed the sign on a door, wedged between offices and stores, directly under the fish-and-chips restaurant. I’d be able to find my way to dinner.
I was able to get into the very narrow lobby using the code I’d been sent, but it didn’t work to open my Room 10. After several more minutes of trying, I texted the rental company -year-and left a message saying that “I am a 73-year-old woman traveling alone, locked out of my room, and not feeling safe. Please help me or find me another place to stay.” Within a minute, a young woman entered the lobby without saying a word, let me into the room, handed me a physical, metal key, and left without a word. Had it not been for her woolen jumper, I’d have thought she was an angel.
The room looked just like it did on the website, with a bed on a platform so I could stow my suitcase, a small desk and chair, a bathroom with a shower, a small refrigerator, and an electric kettle. The internet worked well. I didn’t turn on the TV for fear of falling asleep before dinner.
After a great meal with new friends, I headed to my room, locking and deadbolting the door for security. I was aware of the noise, the smell of fried fish from the restaurant, and people coming and going around me. And when I crawled into bed and turned off the lights, I discovered a funky red light glowing from under my bed.
The first thought that popped into my head was that I was staying in a brothel, red lights included, and business was good. I was laughing at my imagination as I fell asleep. The next thing I was aware of was the ringing of my alarm clock.
After a shower and a change of clothes, I walked to a place for coffee and breakfast, then explored Oban. It is a delightful place, right on the water, with lovely shops and what looked like ruins of a Roman colosseum atop the hill.
Our imaginations are funny things, aren’t they? God must get a kick from the things we make up in our minds. A brothel, a red light that reminded me of the red cloth that Rahab the prostitute displayed under her window in Jericho.
I imagined Joseph searching for a room in which Mary could give birth. I remembered God’s provision of holes for foxes and nests for birds, but nowhere for Jesus to lay his head. I am privileged to travel to Scotland and stay in a hotel for the night…and a story to share.
Beannaich (Blessings)
Anne
An
Wayfinding 