Tuesday September 16th 2025
Kitlwalkers leaving Holyrood Park on Sunday 15th of September
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
On Sunday (September 14th) 9,100 kiltwalkers took over the capital in the biggest-ever Edinburgh Kiltwalk being led by Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter from the Hunter Foundation.
With 802 different Scottish charities already benefitting from every penny and pound raised, the fundraising total stood at £1.5 million at 9am at the beginning of the walk as 3,700 walkers, many of them sporting a touch of tartan, set off from Holyrood Park.
The fundraising total has since shot to £1.6 million.
Another 3,100 walkers took on the 11-mile Big Stroll from Fisherrow Links, Musselburgh, while 2,300 embarked on the 5-mile Wee Wander from Victoria Park. All participants completed their tartan-clad journey at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium finish line.
The Hunter Foundation, which underwrites the Kiltwalk, ensures it remains Scotland’s most affordable platform for charities to raise crucial funds. Sir Tom Hunter of The Hunter Foundation, alongside Sir Chris Hoy, joined the walkers in Edinburgh and paid tribute to their incredible efforts.
At Holyrood Park, Sir Tom addressed the tartan clad walkers: “Edinburgh – you are 8,500 strong, and you brilliant Kiltwalkers are going to raise £1.8 million this morning for the charities you care about. This is the last Kiltwalk of 2025, and it has been a record-breaking year. While this is great, it shows the need that is there for every charity in Scotland.
“38,000 walkers over four walks this year have raised £8 million, but most importantly, over 1,800 different Scottish charities have benefitted from your Kiltwalk kindness, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Since Kiltwalk joined forces with The Hunter Foundation 10 years ago, the event has delivered £58 million for 4,000 Scottish charities, with £44 million raised by 216,000 Kiltwalk heroes and £14 million provided by The Hunter Foundation.
Sir Tom Hunter commented on the fundraising efforts after the walk, saying: “This is a record-breaking Kiltwalk – Edinburgh’s biggest ever, with over 9,000 people. Every year, we continue to grow, which is a double-edged sword as it reflects the increasing number of people in need within our communities.
“But for every person in need, there’s a good person ready to lend a helping hand by taking part in events like Kiltwalk. Kiltwalk connects those in need with those who want to help – seamlessly and with a smile. Thank you for your Kiltwalk kindness.”
The Hunter Foundation surprised three charities by giving each a £5,000 cash boost during the ‘Happiest Minute at Kiltwalk’ giveaways.
Sir Tom Hunter at the Kiltwalk starting line
Local charities River Kids, which provides clothing, toys, and household essentials to disadvantaged children, and Hopscotch, which offers respite breaks for children, were both stunned by the announcement just before setting off from Holyrood Park. Later, at Victoria Park, Edinburgh School Uniform Bank, which supports children with essential school uniforms, was equally delighted when it, too, was awarded £5,000 to support its important work.
Pit stops along the route offered delicious snacks from Kiltwalk’s Official Supermarket partner, Lidl, and encouragement was provided by charities Cyrenians, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), and Marie Curie.
Fundraising manager for Cyrenians, Sophie Bell, said: “The Cyrenians team had an incredible time at our first-ever Pit Stop. The day was an invaluable opportunity for many lovely walkers to learn about the vital prevention work we do in local communities. Scotland should be a place where people facing tough times get the support they need before they hit a crisis, but right now, we’re in a national housing emergency.
“We are especially grateful to the amazing fundraisers who supported– every penny raised is helping us to provide essential support to even more people in crisis.”
Community and events fundraiser for SAMH, Catriona Wilson, said: “The SAMH team loved every minute of our day. We were grateful to have an incredible 169 Kiltwalkers who took part in support of SAMH, and it was really moving to spend time with them at our Pit Stop and hear their stories about why they’ve chosen to raise much-needed funds for Scotland’s mental health.”
Royal Bank of Scotland, Headline Sponsor of Kiltwalk, helped ensure all finish-line meals were served in compostable pots, all rubbish was fully recycled and reused, and nothing went to landfill.
Judith Cruickshank, One Bank Scotland Chair, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “The Kiltwalk is one of the highlights of Scotland’s charity and community calendar, and it is one Royal Bank of Scotland has been proud to partner.
“The event brings together thousands of people from across the country and the Edinburgh walk in the country’s capital was no exception. Hundreds of bank colleagues joined customers and the public to help fundraise for groups and charities which are making a positive difference to people across Scotland.”
At the finish line, there was music, dancing, hot food, and novelty acts like tartan-clad stilt walkers, courtesy of Gold Sponsor Johnston Carmichael.
Kiltwalk is fully underwritten by The Hunter Foundation, enabling the Mighty Stride and Big Stroll to offer a reduced entry fee of just £20. Every penny raised by the walkers goes directly to the charities chosen by them, and they can claim Gift Aid, which can raise the totals by 25%.
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