Thousands take to the streets for Kiltwalk events

The streets of Glasgow and the west of Scotland were awash with tartan for the Kiltwalk this weekend.

More than £4m was raised for dozens of charities from those taking part in the full 23 mile (37km) Mighty Stride, the 14.5 mile (23.3km) Big Stroll and the three mile (4.8km) Wee Wander on Saturday and Sunday.

The largest charities, such as The Beatson and Glasgow Children's Hospital, had more than 1,000 walkers raising money for them while others chose to fundraise for smaller charities.

Six thousand people walked from Clydebank to Balloch on Saturday with another 14,000 people walking from either Glasgow Green or Clydebank to Balloch on Sunday.

Sir Tom Hunter told walkers at Glasgow Green and Clydebank that since the first Kiltwalk in 2016, a total of £62m had been raised for more than 4,400 charities - £48m from 240,000 walkers and £14m from his Hunter Foundation.

The Hunter Foundation underwrites the Kiltwalk, ensuring that every penny the walkers raise goes to the charities of their choice, plus gift aid.

Sir Tom said he hoped the Kiltwalk could reach £100m in the next five years to "be there" for Scotland's third sector in these times of global and economic uncertainty.

Addressing the walkers, he said: "You good folks got out of your beds this morning to be part of something that has become a fantastic movement for Scotland.

"You're here because of someone you know, or a charity you care about, and you've chosen to help.

"That, in my opinion, is what makes Scotland the greatest wee country in the world."

Neil Magill, 48, did the 23-mile walk in memory of his wife Heather.

She was originally going to be at the finish line with their 10-year-old son Mason but died from complications following a heart transplant.

Raising money for the British Heart Foundation, Neil said: "It's been a good day - emotional," he said.

"Pretty much the whole way we've chatted about Heather.

"She is buried in the grounds of Old Kilpatrick Church, and I was mid-conversation with the group when I saw the church so at that point it was a bit emotional.

"I would love to do this annually now in Heather's memory but as the first one, this felt a bit more significant."

He added: "Heather was my number one. She was my hero for how she handled life since the heart failure, she never let this hold her back, she lived life to the full.

"Although her story didn't have the ending we all hoped for, it was not due to a lack of dedication from those involved in her care – including the incredible work of the BHF."

Two kiltwalkers' charities are to be given a £10,000 boost after winning extra funds provided by sponsor Arnold Clark.

Chloe Houston was fundraising for Cardiac Risk in Young (CRY), so hundreds of young people can be screened to prevent fatal cardiac conditions.

The second winner, Maria Cameron, was walking for Inverclyde's Ardgowan Hospice that cared for her aunt and uncle in their final weeks.

And an Arnold Clark employee doing the walk was given an extra £30,000 for their charity.

Russell Borrie, chief executive at Arnold Clark, said: "We know the Glasgow Kiltwalk always brings an amazing atmosphere, with thousands of people coming together in a real show of community spirit, generosity and determination."

The Aberdeen Kiltwalk will be held on Sunday 7 June, St Andrews to Dundee on Sunday 16 August and Edinburgh on Sunday 13 September.