STV stars take part in biggest-ever Kiltwalk as fundraisers tackle Glasgow to Loch Lomond challenge

More than 13,500 brave fundraisers are walking from Glasgow to Loch Lomond as part of the biggest-ever Kiltwalk.

The event has raised millions for charity over the years including the STV Children’s Appeal, which is one of the event’s official partners.

“At the end you are exhausted, but on the way round everyone is smiling, it’s just brilliant,” said What’s On Scotland presenter, Laura Boyd.

This year the entry fee was reduced to make the event as accessible as possible amid the cost of living crisis. Every penny raised goes directly to the charities chosen by the walkers.

This year, 856 charities have been selected by fundraisers tackling the epic challenge.

Some walkers were joined by their four-legged friends. Kiltwalk

Among them is Calums Cabin, which is encouraging supporters to enter all four Kiltwalks this year. The charity was founded by the family of Calum Speirs, who lost his life to an inoperable brain tumour in 2007 and provides holiday homes for children facing cancer.

“The atmosphere is euphoric, knowing that everyone is making such a difference” said Calum’s mum, Caroline.

“Calum’s Cabin have almost 200 walkers this year at Glasgow and it means so much to us that they support so many families who have a child suffering from cancer.”

The event took over the city on Sunday, with mental health charity SAMH on hand to support walkers and raise awareness of their services to help people through the cost of living crisis.

“It’s a great reminder that being physically active is a key way to support our mental wellbeing” said Shona Langlands, senior fundraising manager at SAMH.

Fundraisers warming up on the start line at Glasgow Green. Kiltwalk

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

The event is organised by The Hunter Foundation. Earlier this week the Royal Bank of Scotland announced it would continue to sponsor the event for another two years, in an effort to make it more sustainable.

Sir Tom Hunter said: “Today’s Glasgow Kiltwalk will help 856 different Scottish charities, the biggest in one day. The efforts of every one of our 14,000 walkers will make a massive difference to people who need it so much. It’s phenomenal! The Kiltwalk community have done us proud.

Sir Tom Hunter said the Kiltwalk community had 'done themselves proud'. — Sir Tom Hunter said the Kiltwalk community had ‘done themselves proud’. STV News

“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 the most vulnerable. I’d like to thank each and every one for their Kiltwalk kindness.”

Following Glasgow’s efforts, the next Kiltwalk event will take place in Aberdeen on June 4, then in Dundee on August 20 and Edinburgh on September 17.