The biggest ever Kiltwalk takes to Glasgow's streets
This year's charity event sold out with over 13,500 people taking on the challenge
Last updated 30th Apr 2023
The biggest ever annual Kiltwalk set off from Glasgow this morning.
More than 13,500 people are dusting off their tartan for the sold-out charity walk to Balloch Country Park.
There are three routes for this year’s event- the Mighty Stride started at 8.30am from Glasgow Green, with the Clydebank start point for the Big Stroll kicking off at the same time, and both heading towards Balloch.
The Wee Wander started a bit later at 10am and began at Loch Lomond Shore before heading to Moss O’Balloch Park.
Those tackling the Mighty Stride will be walking for almost eight hours to help raise money for some of the 850 Scottish charities being helped this year.
Gillian, who works with the organisation said: "in the last seven years, Kiltwalk has raised £37m for over 3000 charities, so it's just a phenomenal event."
People of all ages and abilities are taking part, with one of the youngest being just six months old.
The oldest person this year though, is over 100. Gillian said: "we had an incredible gentleman walking for Erskine, he was a world war two veteran, 101 years old today, Sandy.
"He was taking part with a huge team for Erskine, so there really is something for everyone at Kiltwalk."
William Worn is taking on the challenge for Ayrshire Cancer Support who took care of his mum before she passed away just before Christmas last year.
He said: “I knew that I wanted to do something to hopefully raise some money and just show some appreciation and pay them back.
“When I found out that the Kiltwalk was available after speaking to the team at Ayrshire Cancer Support, I thought that’s a great challenge for a great cause.”
The charity helps out people who have been diagnosed with cancer, as well as offering support to those who have lost family members to the illness.
It was them who suggested William tried the challenge, who said: “I hadn’t actually thought about it until Ayrshire Cancer Support mentioned it to me, they’ve had an involvement in it for quite a number of years.
“I had a look, realised it was a great event, well attended, quite high profile, so I’ve signed up for two at the moment and applied to do all four over the course of the year and raise as much as I can for the charity.”
William is accepting donations to the charity via his JustGiving page.
The longest part of the walk, the Mighty Stride, is almost 23 miles long and will finish off near Loch Lomond this evening.
