Yesterday, thousands of Scots walked for charities all over Edinburgh. With three routes ranging from 21 miles to 4.6 miles, families and individuals looked to raise money for hundreds of charities with the official Kiltwalk.
Starting back in 2016, this marks the tenth year for the Kiltwalkers community, and follows a tough to beat £1.7 million made by Edinburgh in 2025, and the £8.3 million made across all Kiltwalkers events nationally. Closing up this year’s Kiltwalk, Edinburgh’s total brought 8,500 participants, and raised £1.6 million, ultimately supporting 762 charities.This year with Glasgow’s walk, Aberdeen’s and Dundee’s walk having passed, the movement has raised £8.2 million, with over 38,000 participants in total.
Walkers had the opportunity to participate in three different routes- The Mighty Stride, The Big Stroll and The Wee Wander. All of which conclude at Murrayfield Stadium with uproarious crowds.
The three options all varied in intensity and length, ensuring that participants of all abilities and families are able to raise money for their chosen charity. Starting from The Wee Wander, participants began at Ferry Road, with a predicted average walking time of 2 hours. For those who wanted a bigger challenge, The Big Stroll commenced in Musselburgh, bringing participants along the Portobello shore, through Leith and Newhaven. This walk covers 11.3 miles worth of land and averages at a time of 3.5 hours.
The final walk began at Holyrood park, eventually making its way to Musselburgh by way of Newcraighall and Inveresk, and aligning with the route of The Big Stroll. Averaging 6 hours, this walk covered 21 miles worth of Edinburgh.
With all proceeds going directly to the charities chosen by the participants, plus up to 25% extra in GiftAid, a donation of 125% was possible. All of which is made doable by the walks’ many sponsors and funders, such as The Hunter Foundation, a Scottish based foundation tackling many national and international issues such as the right to education and poverty eradication.
The founder, Sir Tom Hunter, spoke during the event and addressed walkers in a video shared on the official Kiltwalk Instagram:
“The Kiltwalk has quite simply become a Scottish phenomenon, I don’t think it could happen anywhere else in the world. People all over the length and breadth of Scotland-maybe they’re not doing so well, and good people folks like yourself are willing to come out and give them that help”
With many other sponsors being of Scottish roots, including MacB, Arnold Clark, Trespass and Walkers Shortbread, the nation is proud to encourage one another to Gie it laldy.
Once participants’ walks had come to an end, families were free to meet them in support and enjoyment. Being provided with tons of food and beverage trucks from sponsors, available in the green space surrounding the stadium.
