We Conquer the Kiltwalk Challenge

On 11th August 2024, 4,200 people put on their walking boots for the Dundee Kiltwalk to raise money for their chosen charities. Read on to learn more about the Kiltwalk and how the Fostering People Dream Team, Amber, Debbie and Paula, got on when they embarked on the 20-mile adventure.

What is the Kiltwalk?

Hosted in four locations: Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, the Kiltwalk is the largest annual walking event in Scotland. Over 20 thousand adults and children, many with dogs in tow, participate in the Kiltwalk, a walking challenge with routes for all abilities. Since 2016, Kiltwalk events have raised over £47.5 million for Scottish charities and prides itself on being "Scotland's lowest-cost fundraising event".

Dundee Kiltwalk

This year, the Dundee Kiltwalk had two routes: the Wee Wander and Mighty Stride. 1,400 people walked the Wee Wander, a 4.3-mile route alongside the River Tay. 2,800 people, including Debbie, Amber and Paula from Fostering People Scotland, trekked the Mighty Stride, a 20.4-mile route, starting in St Andrews and finishing in Dundee.

People were in the community spirit, donned in tartan and ready to put their best foot forward to raise money for their chosen charity when they began at 8.30 am. They were warmly greeted by a hot meal and live entertainment when they arrived at Slessor Gardens many hours later.

The Fostering People Dream Team took less than 7 hours to complete the Mighty Stride and raised a phenomenal £855 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

We spoke to dream team members Amber and Debbie to find out more about their experience of the challenge.

What inspired you to participate in the Kiltwalk?

Amber explains, "Taking part in the Dundee Kiltwalk to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support was an amazing experience. After losing my dad to cancer in 2022, I’m even more passionate about doing what I can, when I can, to raise money for an amazing cause."

Debbie continues, “As a team, we have wanted to do something to raise money for charity for a while.  After some ‘light’ persuasion, we decided to do the Kiltwalk after hearing the ad on the radio one day - We booked our places there and then!  We decided to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support because even if you haven’t been affected by cancer directly, we all know someone who has.”

How did you feel on the day?

Amber says, “I really enjoyed this long walk, well... the first half at least! After some rough terrain, blisters and sunburn, it was harder to push to the finish line, but we did it, and I couldn’t be prouder of us.”

Debbie says, “I did a bit of training on the run-up to the day with friends, and I’m so glad I did! The sun was shining and it was so hot on the day - the 21.4 miles felt like it was never-ending.”

Would you take part again?

Debbie says, “At the time, all the wows of never doing this again were muttered, but afterwards, looking back on the day – I was so proud of us all. Not just of us for taking part, but proud of every single person who took part – so yes, I would do it again, it was brilliant!

Amber says, “I would definitely do it all again.”

At Fostering People, we build connections and support each other, often participating in fundraising events to support charities close to our community members' hearts. If you'd like to become a foster parent and want to learn more about our close-knit fostering agency, get in touch.