It's about determination, bravery & Kiltmanship

Unfortunately I had to drive back home to Glasgow last night, so missed what was an emotional ending to a great day that was the Aberdeen Kiltwalk.

As we left and drove home, our journey took us back along the road Holly and I, as Kiltwalkers, had just traveled and although it was now after half past seven, there were still fellow walkers grimacing and hobbling towards the finish line and I could see and feel their pain.

I knew Robbie was the back marker on the course, so when I saw him pushing his bike, and walking along side an elderly gentleman I knew that was “the last Kiltwalker standing”. However, unlike some of the walkers we had just passed this gentleman, Jim Wilson with his walking stick in hand, seemed to be walking at a comfortable pace and enjoying the experience.

We arrived back in Glasgow around half eleven and I immediately combed The Kiltwalk Facebook page to read some of the of stories of the day and the one I was delighted to read was Rebecca Coull’s, who mentioned that the last walker Jim, had crossed the line just after nine pm accompanied by a band of Kiltwalkers.

I was therefore even more delighted when I viewed Shaun Wards post this morning, and saw the marvelous photograph he'd taken, which as ever encapsulated Kiltwalk Day and the camaraderie that exists between everyone involved in The Kiltwalk.

There’s The Kiltwalk Team who plan, orchestrate and put the events on. They are assisted on the day by the most enthusiastic band of volunteers I’ve ever witnessed. The smiles and encouragement our volunteers bring to Kiltwalk Day makes such a difference to our walkers, of which I’m proud to say I’m one and helps to keep you going. Then there’s our "Kiltwalk Traffic Division", who wait until the traffic is clear before shepherding our walkers across the road.

The Kiltwalk events raises huge amounts of money for Scotland’s Children, however we couldn’t raise a single penny if it wasn’t for our Kiltwalkers who pull on their boots and stride out for Oor Bairns.

If you want to see the real hero’s of Kiltwalk Day, sign up for a Kiltwalk and witness at first hand strangers helping what will become Kiltwalk friends for life to get over the finish line.

The stories of determination from Kiltwalk Day bring a tingle to the spine and yesterday was no exception.

We have become used to people like John Nicol completing his walk and then going back out into the Kiltwalk battlefield to encourage struggling Kiltwalkers over the line. However, even although we’re used to it, it doesn’t make it a less remarkable feat. John would tell you he’s just doing what Kiltwalkers do, and he’s right, but John, we salute you.

I then read Niki Curry’s post where she mentions that 20 odd miles in and clearly exhausted, Keith Wilson went to the aid of one of our Kiltwalkers struggling to push a Kiltwalker in a wheelchair up a hill in what was very difficult terrain to walk, never mind push a wheelchair. Yet this is what Keith did, just because he knew he had to. It’s what Kiltwalkers do.

Talking of hills, then who did I see as we climbing up one of the steep parts but Isla and Keans, two of Oor very own Kiltwalk Kids who were taking part in the 8 mile 'hike' to raise money for Logan's Team and Keanes Stars. Outstanding.

Finally, I walked with my daughter Holly, who eight miles in experienced a ‘niggle’ behind her knee cap, which at twenty miles was excruciating pain. The painkillers and spray Susan Donn at the TACC pit stop provided little relief, but she struggled on and with tears of joy and pain hidden behind her sunglasses, crossed that finish line.

I’ve said it before and I’ll never tire of saying The Kiltwalk has become a phenomenon and our Kiltwalkers are phenomenal. In what other walk of life, never mind charity event would people stay until the bitter end to walk the last Kiltwalker over the line?

Very few would be my guess.

So Aberdeen’s ‘done’ and onto Speyside in September which Sine and her Mum and Dad took great delight in telling me was full of ‘real’ hills, gulp.

But you know what? We’ll be there and we’ll do it, either under our own steam or with the help of Oor Kiltwalkers, who we couldn’t be more proud of.

Photograph courtesy of Shaun Ward.