Scott Kyle is backing his friends - extras from the hit show - to complete the 23-mile fundraiser
The Kiltwalk has signed up Outlander star Scott Kyle as its latest celebrity backer and brought the centre of Glasgow to a standstill in the process.
Kyle who plays Ross in the hit TV show was on hand to help promote the 23-mile Mighty Stride in the Glasgow Kiltwalk on April 30 after a group of extras from the show signed up to take part.
The ‘Paca’ – Gaelic for ‘The Pack’ – comprises Andy McAlindon from Kilmalcolm, Grant McGregor from Dundee, Jon Dan Duncan from Ayrshire, Jay Graham from Glasgow and Barry Stewart from Inverness.
Together they are raising funds for six-year-old Holly McLeod from Saltcoats in Ayrshire who suffers from Cerebral Palsy and requires a life-changing operation in America to help her walk.
Jon, a 47-year-old fireman from Ayrshire, became aware of Holly’s health issues through his local community and jumped at the chance to help her and her family raise the vital funds, choosing Kiltwalk as the means to do so.
Speaking about how the Paca came to be, Andy, a 39-year-old electrician from Kilmalcolm said: “We worked as extras during series two and three of Outlander and we just clicked. We had so much fun together and forged a strong friendship.
“Working on the Outlander set sparked our interest in Scottish history and we started to look into it in more detail.
“I took things a step further and acquired the full Jacobite costume including a five yard plaid, basket hilt broadsword, dirk, targe and baldric. After this, the rest of the guys did the same and the Paca was born.”
Now all that’s left is for the Paca to get used to wearing their outfits over a long period of time as they plan to wear them as they walk the 23 miles from Glasgow Green to Balloch. What’s more, it’s the first time any of them has taken part in the Kiltwalk.
Speaking about what his fellow cast members are doing, 34-year-old actor Scott Kyle, originally from Rutherglen, said: “I’m so proud of the guys, getting their Jacobite gear on and walking all that way to raise money for such a worthwhile cause is commendable. “They’re all busy with day jobs as well as their passion for all things Outlander and so setting aside time to train and raise money for little Holly McLeod is really something.”
Paul Cooney, chief executive of the Kiltwalk added: “What the Outlander guys are doing is fantastic! Walking the Kiltwalk in Jacobite gear to raise funds for a little girl in need is something else. And with Scott Kyle providing his support our ambition to turn the Kiltwalk into Scotland’s largest mass participation event is getting ever closer.”
The dates for the 2017 Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalks are the following Sundays: Glasgow (April 30), Aberdeen (June 4), Dundee (August 20) and Edinburgh (September 17).
Walkers can choose to walk the Mighty Stride (23 miles), the Big Stroll (15 miles) or the Wee Wander (6 miles) so people of all ages and abilities can take part.
To donate to the Paca’s Glasgow Kiltwalk fundraising efforts for Holly McLeod visit their JustGiving page.
