More than 900 charities will benefit from Kiltwalk funding this year

Kiltwalkers have raised more than £5 million for Scottish charities during the toughest year in the event’s history.

All four planned Kiltwalk events this summer were cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but supporters across the country continued to raise vital funds through virtual events in support of their chosen charities.

The final total raised by walkers was £2.5m, which has been doubled this year by backers The Hunter Foundation for a grand total of £5m.

In a video marking the end of this year’s events, Sir Tom Hunter praised the 16,000 supporters who walked, cycled, ran and swam all over Scotland while observing social distancing measures.

He said: “At a time when there’s not much good news about, we want to bring you some great news this morning from the Kiltwalk. The Edinburgh Virtual Kiltwalk took place and you hopped, skipped, jumped and even swam to raise money for what you care about. This morning, you have raised an amazing £1.3m and more than 535 different Scottish charities will benefit, so thank you.

“As the numbers were coming in last night, we said if you can do £1.3m, then we’ll do £1.3m, so it’s a 100% top up from The Hunter Foundation this morning, because we just think you’re amazing.

“So in a year, a very strange year where we’ve not been able to walk together, for obvious reasons, but between Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and now Edinburgh, you Kiltwalkers have raised an amazing £2.5m for the charities you care about and The Hunter Foundation has topped it up with another £2.5m.

“So this year, £5 million is going to the charities you care about, the folks who really need it are getting a hand up, not a hand out. So thank you. We’ll be back next year, no doubt about it. You can’t keep a good Kiltwalker down!”

Funds will be distributed between more than 900 charities in Scotland, many of whom are working to address the impacts of coronavirus in their communities.