Sir Chris Hoy ‘blown away’ by support as he leads out thousands at Kiltwalk

Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and businessman Sir Tom Hunter led out thousands at this year’s Edinburgh Kiltwalk, with £1.5m expected to be raised for charities.

The fundraising event saw 8,500 tartan-clad walkers make their way through the Scottish capital.

Together with other Kiltwalk events this year in Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen, a record £8m has been raised in 2025.

This year’s event marks a decade since the Kiltwalk began a partnership with Sir Tom’s foundation.

Earlier this month, Sir Chris’s fundraising cycle event, the Tour de 4, raised more than £2m for cancer charities.

It was launched to change perceptions around stage four cancer following the Olympic gold medallist’s own diagnosis in September 2023.

On Sunday, Hoy led out more than 4,000 people taking part in the 21-mile “mighty stride” Kiltwalk.

He said: “I genuinely have been blown away by the support from Sir Tom and the Kiltwalkers.

“This is the first year that we’ve done the Tour de 4, and the support we’ve received and the money we’ve raised has been astonishing.

Thousands head out on 2025 Kiltwalk Kiltwalk

“Kiltwalk has been our gold standard to look to and see what our event could be like, because we see what you all do as a community, and it’s astonishing. Whatever cause it is you’re here for, this is a day to celebrate.

“It’s a day to stand up, to remember people, and bring everyone together in a joyful walk.”

Some 350 Kiltwalkers supported Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 campaign.

Their donations are distributed between five specially selected charities: Cancer Research UK, Maggie’s, Prostate Cancer UK, Breast Cancer Now, and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Departing from the coastline at Fisherrow Links in Musselburgh, 2,900 walkers took on the 11-mile Big Stroll while 1,600 Wee Wanderers undertook a 4.5-mile challenge leaving from Victoria Park. Kiltwalk heroes received their well-deserved medals at the finish line in Edinburgh’s iconic Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium.

Sir Tom spoke to the walkers at Holyrood Park, saying: “Edinburgh – you are 8,500 strong, and you brilliant Kiltwalkers are going to raise £1.8m this morning for the charities you care about. This is the last Kiltwalk of 2025, and it has been a record-breaking year. While this is great, it shows the need that is there for every charity in Scotland.

“38,000 walkers over four walks this year have raised £8m, but most importantly, over 1,800 different Scottish charities have benefitted from your Kiltwalk kindness, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“Every year, Kiltwalkers choose a charity, and this year, Kiltwalkers could choose to walk for Sir Chris Hoy’s wonderful Tour de 4, and you Kiltwalkers have raised £95,000 for his charity.”