A crowd of more than 10,000 Kiltwalk heroes mounted a tartan takeover of Dumbarton, Alexandria and Balloch – raising a whopping £3million for charities across Scotland.
The 23-mile Mighty Stride left from Glasgow Green at the same time as the Big Stroll, a 15-mile jaunt which kicked-off in Clydebank, with walkers making their way through Dumbarton and Alexandria.
Later, those tackling the three-mile Wee Wander took off from Loch Lomond Shores, with the routes converging to end at the Kiltwalk Village in Balloch.
Local people also took part, including 27-year old Bobbi-Jo McLeary from Alexandria, who trekked with her sister and dad, who was treated in the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.
Speaking before the event, she said: “I’m doing the Kiltwalk this year for the Beatson after the amazing treatment they gave my dad. There’s no amount of money I can give them to repay for what they gave us, a healthy and happy dad back.”
Alexandria mum Lisa French also put her walking shoes on for her charity ROHHAD Association, which was set up after her son Aaron, 12, was diagnosed with the condition.
The charity is aiming to raise £300,000 to ensure research into a cure for ROHHAD can continue.
As is Kiltwalk tradition, every £1 raised receives a generous 50 percent top up from The Hunter Foundation.
With walkers raising an impressive £2m, this total was boosted by Sir Tom Hunter to a mighty £3m, which will be gifted to 685 Scottish charities.
Speaking on Sunday, Sir Tom Hunter said: “I regard the success of Kiltwalk as one of the Foundation’s greatest achievements.
“It was a joy to see so many of our Kiltwalk heroes out in their tartan this morning at Glasgow Green.
“After a challenging few years, Scotland’s charities benefit from every donation so kiltwalkers should be very proud of the difference they have made today.
“This has been a flying start to Kiltwalk 2022 – well done everyone.”
This year marks the return of Kiltwalks in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh following the pandemic.
A Virtual Kiltwalk Weekend will also be staged following the success of virtual events held during lockdown which proved a lifeline to Scotland’s charities.
Famous faces who took to the streets, alongside Sir Tom Hunter, to take part in the Kiltwalk included First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, TV’s Jackie Bird, STV’s Laura Boyd raising funds for the STV Children’s Appeal and River City’s Stephen Purdon – aka Shellsuit Bob.
