Post by dreamy on Apr 17, 2006 23:19:48 GMT 10
Do you remember the link about the Kilt Walk Elly posted a while ago? So here is an article about it:
First Kilt Walk drums up city support with charity march JOANNA VALLELY
YOUNG and old alike braved biting cold to turn out for Scotland's first ever Kilt Walk at the weekend.
Organisers said around 130 people took part in Sunday's five-kilometre charity walk around Princes Street Gardens and on to the Castle Esplanade. And between them they were estimated to have raised several thousand pounds in sponsorship for homeless charity the Rock Trust.
Pensioners, toddlers, those who dressed in tartan regularly, and those who only wore it on special occasions all proudly donned the traditional dress.
The first man home, a Jambo fittingly enough, said he sped-walked the course in just over half an hour in order to reach his local in plenty of time to watch the derby. But organisers said they didn't think they lost too many participants because of the clash with the Hibs-Hearts cup semi-final.
Rock Trust director Ella Simpson said: "I don't think it affected it.
"We lost a few to the match, but the music attracted a lot of people and it was a wonderful day."
Participants were spurred on with music from Saor Patrol and Scocha, who played their brand of "folk 'n' roll" on the Ross Bandstand from 11am.
Mrs Simpson said both bands donated their services for free and Scocha even brought a bus load of fans from Hawick who took part in the walk.
She said: "They were setting a fair pace to come back and listen to as much music as possible."
All walkers got a goodie bag with a kiltpin from 21st Century Kilts, a hat, a mousemat, a VisitScotland DVD and some sweets.
Ewan Hastings, brother of rugby legend Gavin and fundraising manager of the Rock Trust, said more than £2000 had been raised so far.
He said: "Participants were asked to raise £50 each and they have six weeks to bring it in.
"So far we have raised about £2000 and the final figure is still to come in."
He added that they were "very pleased" with the turn out.
"The Playtex Moonwalk now gets about 15,000 people but they started about ten years ago in London with just 13 women. "
"We had ten times more than that in our inaugural walk so we are very pleased and hope to get even more participants next year."
There were those there for whom donning the family tartan was an everyday event.
Tom Gilzean, 86, of Peffermill Road, was one of the best turned out, from his Tammie hat and plaid and the thistle on his lapel to his kilt in the Grant tartan of his late wife.
One of the first back at the Ross Bandstand, the retired bus driver said he was a regular walker, despite suffering from diabetes and deep vein thrombosis in one leg.
He said: "I do all the walks and I always wear a kilt.
"There was a boy in front of me setting the pace with a drum so I had to keep pace.
"I wear the full regalia and wear a kilt most days, except if it's really cold."
Mai Smith, 67, did the walk with her two grandchildren nine-year-old Ellie and Mhari, seven, all from the Southside, who raised £55 in sponsorship between them.
She said: "We don't normally wear kilts. I had to get mine from a charity shop.
"We'll definitely come again next year."
Ellie said the walk was "a wee bit hard", but for her younger sister it was a doddle.
"I found it quite easy," said Mhari.
Although there was no prize for the first person to complete the course, Simon Pankhurst said he had an incentive to get around as fast as possible.
"I did it in 32 minutes to get to see the match," he said.
"It's a pity to miss the music but I'll be going for the 22 bus now to watch the match."
The 37-year-old Scottish Gas worker from Polwarth was wearing a kilt in his mum's Crawford family tartan.
He added: "I enjoy wearing it. It's a bit parky, but when you've done 5km in 32 minutes you don't feel too bad."
news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=512392006
First Kilt Walk drums up city support with charity march JOANNA VALLELY
YOUNG and old alike braved biting cold to turn out for Scotland's first ever Kilt Walk at the weekend.
Organisers said around 130 people took part in Sunday's five-kilometre charity walk around Princes Street Gardens and on to the Castle Esplanade. And between them they were estimated to have raised several thousand pounds in sponsorship for homeless charity the Rock Trust.
Pensioners, toddlers, those who dressed in tartan regularly, and those who only wore it on special occasions all proudly donned the traditional dress.
The first man home, a Jambo fittingly enough, said he sped-walked the course in just over half an hour in order to reach his local in plenty of time to watch the derby. But organisers said they didn't think they lost too many participants because of the clash with the Hibs-Hearts cup semi-final.
Rock Trust director Ella Simpson said: "I don't think it affected it.
"We lost a few to the match, but the music attracted a lot of people and it was a wonderful day."
Participants were spurred on with music from Saor Patrol and Scocha, who played their brand of "folk 'n' roll" on the Ross Bandstand from 11am.
Mrs Simpson said both bands donated their services for free and Scocha even brought a bus load of fans from Hawick who took part in the walk.
She said: "They were setting a fair pace to come back and listen to as much music as possible."
All walkers got a goodie bag with a kiltpin from 21st Century Kilts, a hat, a mousemat, a VisitScotland DVD and some sweets.
Ewan Hastings, brother of rugby legend Gavin and fundraising manager of the Rock Trust, said more than £2000 had been raised so far.
He said: "Participants were asked to raise £50 each and they have six weeks to bring it in.
"So far we have raised about £2000 and the final figure is still to come in."
He added that they were "very pleased" with the turn out.
"The Playtex Moonwalk now gets about 15,000 people but they started about ten years ago in London with just 13 women. "
"We had ten times more than that in our inaugural walk so we are very pleased and hope to get even more participants next year."
There were those there for whom donning the family tartan was an everyday event.
Tom Gilzean, 86, of Peffermill Road, was one of the best turned out, from his Tammie hat and plaid and the thistle on his lapel to his kilt in the Grant tartan of his late wife.
One of the first back at the Ross Bandstand, the retired bus driver said he was a regular walker, despite suffering from diabetes and deep vein thrombosis in one leg.
He said: "I do all the walks and I always wear a kilt.
"There was a boy in front of me setting the pace with a drum so I had to keep pace.
"I wear the full regalia and wear a kilt most days, except if it's really cold."
Mai Smith, 67, did the walk with her two grandchildren nine-year-old Ellie and Mhari, seven, all from the Southside, who raised £55 in sponsorship between them.
She said: "We don't normally wear kilts. I had to get mine from a charity shop.
"We'll definitely come again next year."
Ellie said the walk was "a wee bit hard", but for her younger sister it was a doddle.
"I found it quite easy," said Mhari.
Although there was no prize for the first person to complete the course, Simon Pankhurst said he had an incentive to get around as fast as possible.
"I did it in 32 minutes to get to see the match," he said.
"It's a pity to miss the music but I'll be going for the 22 bus now to watch the match."
The 37-year-old Scottish Gas worker from Polwarth was wearing a kilt in his mum's Crawford family tartan.
He added: "I enjoy wearing it. It's a bit parky, but when you've done 5km in 32 minutes you don't feel too bad."
news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=512392006