PADDY McGuinness kicked off this weekend’s annual Kiltwalk in true Scots style.
The TV presenter and comic sported a bespoke tartan kilt as he led a sea of tartan-clad punters on their 14-mile trek from Clydebank to Balloch in the rain this morning.
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Paddy McGuinness and Sir Tom Hunter led walkers on their 14 mile jauntCredit: Elaine Livingstone
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The pair rallied the hardy crowd of walkers as they set off on the lengthy jauntCredit: Elaine Livingstone
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The pair rallied crowds of walkers at the start line in Clydebank today
Joined by Scots businessman and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter, the duo rallied the hardy crowd of walkers as they set off on the lengthy jaunt.
Paddy, from Bolton in Greater Manchester, was greeted by the typical Scottish drizzle but couldn’t help being impressed by the unfazed punters.
He told The Scottish Sun: “It’s great to be here in Glasgow. I love this city’s optimism. I woke up this morning and thought, ‘Oh no, it’s raining. I hope everyone is going to be alright’, but when I arrived, they were all wearing sunglasses. It’s brilliant.”
He added: “The great thing about the Kiltwalk is that each person can choose which charity they want to support. There’s been an amazing turnout and everybody is in such high spirits. It’s lovely to see.”
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The 51-year-old, best known for his nine year stint presenting dating show Take Me Out, last year raised over £7.8 million for Children in Need by taking on an epic 300-mile bike ride from Wrexham to Glasgow on a Raleigh Chopper bike.
The telly star admitted that one icon Scots snack helps to fuel him for events like these.
He said: “I love a Tunnock’s caramel wafer. I remember eating them as a kid. I do enjoy a teacake but the caramel wafer knocks it out the park.”
He also revealed he will join Sir Chris Hoy for part of his Tour de 4 charity bike ride in September this year.
He added: “Chris is an absolute diamond of a man. So, when he asked about that, a bit like the Kiltwalk, I had no hesitation getting involved. Hopefully I’ll be on a proper bike with gears and everything this time around though.”
Sir Tom Hunter, who supports the Kiltwalk through his charity The Hunter Foundation, told the Scottish Sun: “The foundation has been in charge of the Kiltwalk for ten years now and we’ve raised £52 million for over 4,000 charities. It’s incredible.
Paddy McGuiness gets training for his Children In Need cycle challenge
“The Kiltwalk makes it easy for people to raise funds for any and every charity. It might typically cost a charity 60 pence to raise a pound but with the Kiltwalk 100% goes and that’s why its such an excellent event.”
The Glasgow event is the first of four organised by the Kiltwalk charity across Scotland.
Tomorrow, walkers will tackle the 23-mile ‘Mighty Stride’, the 14-mile ‘Big Stroll’ and the 3-mile ‘Wee Wander’.