Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy joined Sir Tom Hunter to lead out Edinburgh Kiltwalk

Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy joined philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter to lead out 8,500 Kiltwalkers at the Edinburgh Kiltwalk (Sunday September 14) raising £1.5 million for 800 charities.

Article Source: Kiltwalk
Last Updated: 15 September 2025 11:16

14 September 2025 -

This year’s Kiltwalks in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh saw 38,000 walkers raise a record £8 million for over 1,800 charities – a £1 million increase compared with 2024.

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.

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 1800 different Scottish charities have benefitted from your Kiltwalk kindness, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“Every year, Kiltwalkers choose a charity, and this year, Kiltwalkers could choose to walk for Sir Chris Hoy's wonderful Tour de 4, and you Kiltwalkers have raised £95,000 for his charity.”

Sir Tom was joined by Edinburgh-born, six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy, who delivered an inspirational address to the 4,000 Mighty Striders before they set off on their 21-mile journey.

Sir Chris Hoy said: “I genuinely have been blown away by the support from Sir Tom and the Kiltwalkers. This is the first year that we've done the Tour de 4, and the support we've received and the money we've raised has been astonishing.

“Kiltwalk has been our gold standard to look to and see what our event could be like, because we see what you all do as a community, and it's astonishing. Whatever cause it is you're here for, this is a day to celebrate. It's a day to stand up, to remember people, and bring everyone together in a joyful walk.

“The support is going to make a huge difference for us and push us towards the £2.5 million mark, thanks to Sir Tom Hunter and the Hunter Foundation doubling the £95,000 raised by Kiltwalkers.”

“I wish you all the very best today in your walk. Enjoy yourselves and keep smiling!"

350 Kiltwalkers supported Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 campaign, established by Sir Chris following his diagnosis of Stage 4 prostate cancer. Their donations are distributed between five specially selected charities: Cancer Research UK, Maggie’s, Prostate Cancer UK, Breast Cancer Now, and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Departing from the coastline at Fisherrow Links in Musselburgh, 2,900 walkers took on the 11-mile Big Stroll while 1,600 Wee Wanderers undertook a 4.5-mile challenge leaving from Victoria Park. Kiltwalk heroes received their well-deserved medals at the finish line in Edinburgh’s iconic Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium.

Additionally, four lucky Scottish Charities were surprised with a £5,000 boost each from The Hunter Foundation in the Kiltwalk’s ‘Happiest Minute’. The Edinburgh winners were:

• Love from Jamie - an Edinburgh based charity that works with health professionals to provide vital funds to families that need it most.

• Held In our Hearts - providing baby loss counselling and peer support to families.

• Breast Friends and Family – providing breast cancer patients with the little things that make a big difference.

• Hibernian Community Foundation – helping local communities with practical help and making football accessible for all.

All Edinburgh Kiltwalkers who registered and fundraised are in with the chance of winning a car worth £30,000, thanks to headline sponsor Arnold Clark.

Russell Borrie, chief executive officer at Arnold Clark, said: “The Kiltwalk continues to make a huge difference to so many communities across Scotland, bringing people together to raise vital funds for charities close to their hearts. We know it's always a great occasion that’s enjoyed by everyone, including the many Arnold Clark employees who take part every year.

“We’re also excited to offer Kiltwalkers the chance to win any car up to the value of £30,000!”

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%.

Yesterday's Edinburgh event closed this year’s 10th anniversary events. Final fundraising announcements and news on Kiltwalk 2026 will be available soon on www.thekiltwalk.co.uk

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Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy joined Sir Tom Hunter to lead out Edinburgh Kiltwalk

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