Biggest ever Aberdeen Kiltwalk to provide boost to hundreds of charities

Pavements and pathways across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire were a sea of tartan on Sunday as a record-breaking 3,500 Kiltwalkers stepped out for 400 Scottish charities.

According to organisers it was the biggest ever Granite City Kiltwalk to date.

Walkers lined up to take part in two routes: the 18-mile Mighty Stride, which left from Duthie Park in Aberdeen at 9am, before finishing at Bellfield Park, Banchory and the four-mile Wee Wander from historic Crathes Castle at 11am to Bellfield Park.

Charities were out in force to cheer on walkers and provide a much-needed morale boost including Pit Stop Partner SAMH.

Among the walkers was Dons legend Russell Anderson, a former captain at Aberdeen FC and Scotland internationalist.

He was raising funds for the Russell Anderson Foundation, which he established in 2012 to help improve the health and wellbeing of children in socially deprived areas across the Granite City.

Joining him were STV stars Gordon Chree, Andrea Brymer and Chris Harvey.

This year the entry fee for the Mighty Stride was reduced by 37% from £32 to £20 to make Kiltwalk, which is underwritten by The Hunter Foundation, as accessible as possible amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Every penny raised goes directly to the charities chosen by the walkers plus they can claim Gift Aid which can raise the totals to 125% of everything raised.

To date, Kiltwalk has raised and distributed £37m to over 3,000 charities in the last seven years.

Sir Tom Hunter said: “Today’s Aberdeen Kiltwalk will help 400 different Scottish charities, the biggest in one day. The efforts of our 3,500 walkers will make a massive difference to people who need it so much. It’s astonishing! The Kiltwalk community in the north east has done us proud.

“At a time when the cost-of-living crisis is taking a terrible toll, it’s important that so many people have come out and walked and donated for those who need it most. I’d like to thank each and every one of our walkers and their supporters for their enormous Kiltwalk kindness.”

The next Kiltwalk will take place in St Andrews to Dundee on August 20 followed by Edinburgh on September 17.