Thousands hit the streets for first Kiltwalk in two years

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Glasgow clad in tartan to take part in the first Kiltwalk in two years.

Around 4000 participants took part in the event on Sunday, marching for nearly 500 charities of their choice.

The annual event went virtual in 2020 and early 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier this year, 11,500 kiltwalkers raised £4.1m for charity, with an additional £2.05m donated by the Hunter Foundation for 1055 charities.

Sir Tom Hunter has pledged to top up donations from Sunday’s Kiltwalk by 50%.

Participants took on a choice of two distances – the 16.5 mile Mighty Stride starting at Glasgow Green and ending at Dumbarton’s Meadow Park or the 3.5 mile Wee Wander from Glasgow Green to the Riverside Museum.

This year’s events were tailored to accommodate social distancing, with walkers setting off from 7am in a series of staggered starts.

Sir Tom said: “We’re so happy to be here this morning in Glasgow Green to see folk with smiling faces. We’re back!

“When the pandemic hit, Kiltwalk faced uncertainty, like everyone else on the planet, but I listened to the Kiltwalk team saying we need to do something. The ability for charities to raise money went down but the need for charities went through the roof – it was the perfect storm.

“The money that is raised here will help people all over Scotland with a wee hand-up, not a hand-out.

“Over 1300 Scottish charities this year will be helped by the Kiltwalk. It makes my heart sing.”

Three Hyundai cars donated by Arnold Clark will be won by three Kiltwalkers on Sunday.