MORE than 4000 people took part in this year's Kiltwalk in Dundee to help raise funds for hundreds of different charities.
The annual event took place on Sunday morning as 4200 “kind-hearted Kiltwalkers” hit the streets at two different locations to help raise money and beat last year's total of £630,000.
Many participants wore tartan during the walk and helped set a record-breaking attendance for the event.
Money was raised for more than 480 different charities, with most of them located in North Fife, Dundee, and Angus.
From 8.30am 2800 “mighty striders” set off from St Andrews West Sands, near the first tee at the Old Course, where the AIG Women’s Open will be held next weekend.
Attendees headed 20 miles up the coast and over the Tay Bridge to Slessor Gardens in the heart of Dundee.
A few hours later another 1400 Kiltwalkers set off on a four-mile “wee wander” from the scenic Castle Green in Broughty Ferry to the finish line at Slessor Gardens.
Kiltwalk CEO, Paul Cooney, hailed the event as a success and thanked all those who participated in raising crucial funds for special causes.
He said: “We are so happy with the incredible response to this year’s Dundee Kiltwalk. We have 500 more walkers than last year supporting more charities than ever and are on course to raise even more than last year’s impressive £630,000. We say a big thank you to every single Kiltwalk hero who trained and walked today to raise vital funds for their special causes.
“Kiltwalk is unique. Every single penny, every pound raised goes to the charities nominated by the walkers. We would like to thank Sir Tom Hunter and The Hunter Foundation for underwriting Kiltwalk, allowing Scotland’s charities to benefit. We would also like to thank The Northwood Charitable Trust here in the City of Discovery for generously helping us to stage such a special and popular Kiltwalk today.”
Every penny raised by Kiltwalkers goes directly to the charities chosen by the participants and those who took part can claim gift aid which can raise the totals by up to 125%.
The Kiltwalk Village at Slessor Gardens ensured walkers were treated to hot food, live music and highland dancing once they reached the finish line.
North Scotland community and events fundraiser for Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), David Loumgair also thanked all those who took part and said the event serves as a reminder of how important being physically active can be to support mental wellbeing.
He said: “The SAMH team loved every minute of our day at Dundee Kiltwalk 2024. We were grateful to have an incredible 80 Kiltwalkers who took part in support of SAMH, and it was really moving to spend time with them at our pit stop and hear their stories about why they've chosen to raise much-needed funds for Scotland’s mental health.
“It’s also a great reminder that being physically active is a powerful way to support our mental wellbeing. From everyone at SAMH, we'd love to extend a huge thank you to each of our supporters - the need for our life-changing services continues to grow and your support is helping us transform lives.”
The next Kiltwalk and last of 2024 will take place in Edinburgh on Sunday September 15.
Anyone interested in taking part can sign up here.
