A Scotland fan is setting off on a 3,000-mile trek across the United States to raise funds for a mental health charity before the World Cup.
Craig Ferguson, who walked from Glasgow to Munich for the Men’s Euros in 2024, aims to travel from Los Angeles to Boston on foot for the World Cup opener this summer to raise £1m for SAMH.
The journey will see the 22-year-old cross 18 states, averaging a marathon a day for 104 consecutive days – timed to arrive in Boston on June 14 for Scotland’s game against Haiti.
Craig became a social media sensation in 2024 when he walked for 37 days, covering 1,000 miles from Glasgow to Munich to cheer on Scotland’s football team for the Euros.
Supplied“The number one lesson you learn from doing something like this is learning more about your body and the limits,” he told STV News.
“First of all, tape is my best friend. About a week in, you realise your feet aren’t as pretty as they once were.
“Looking back, I was maybe a bit naive – less planning and training than what should have happened. I was 20 years old, never did anything prior, and set off with a backpack.
“Now I have that experience, being able to train properly and plan everything out meticulously; I’m much more ready this time around.”
Craig’s last ‘Tartan Trek’ saw him walk from Scotland to Germany via six countries, raising over £78,000 for mental health charity Brothers In Arms.
Despite witnessing Scotland’s 5-1 defeat, he says completing the feat was the happiest moment of his life.
“It was bittersweet,” he said. “It brought me back down to earth. But I still look back and say, knowing how it transpired, that I would do it all over again.”
Craig says he learned a lot about himself each day on the gruelling journey.
“It’s easy to have two hours where you feel on top of the world and nothing can stop you – but all it takes is for one thing to go wrong and that can flip. That’s when you dig deep.
“It’s in solitude that the time for reflection ties back to the whole reason we’re doing it. I’ve been through my own struggles and I want to make a difference.”
In training for his new challenge, Craig has covered between 100 and 120 kilometres each week, alongside gym sessions of up to four days a week, as he prepares to brave the elements in his kilt.
STV NewsCraig intends to walk around 30 miles each day, but says terrain and weather could play a factor.
His friend is also driving a van packed with supplies to ensure he has enough water and food for the journey.
But Craig is also in the same pickle as the majority of Scotland fans – he doesn’t have a ticket for any of the group games yet.
“I was unsuccessful in the ballots, but the tickets are one thing; making it to Boston is another. With the eyes of the footballing world on things like the Euros and World Cup, I want to see if I can drum up support for mental health.
“I want to show what Scotland fans are made of and the lengths we’ll go to get there and support the team. I want to show the kind-hearted nature of the Tartan Army.”
STV NewsMum Jean Ferguson says she feels a mixture of pride and fear over her son’s new adventure.
“I never realised when he left that this anxiety would be so overwhelming – not being able to sleep, wondering how he’ll do because he’s on his own. The ‘what ifs.’ As he got more into it, I settled.
“I’m not as worried as I was last time – I know he’s done it and I couldn’t have been prouder. He’s a very determined young man and I have every faith that he’ll do it. Even as a boy, once he made his mind up to do something, he was firm.
“I feel so proud knowing my boy is doing it and making such a difference.”
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
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