Scottish Building Society brings communities together for largest walking rugby event in Scotland
Scottish Building Society hosted Scotland’s largest walking rugby festival last month, bringing together players of all abilities for a celebration of sport, community, and accessible active living.
Article Source: Scottish Building Society
Last Updated: 15 September 2025 15:44
Proving that age is just a number, Scottish Building Society hosted Scotland’s largest walking rugby festival last month, bringing together players of all abilities for a celebration of sport, community, and accessible active living.
Delivered in partnership with Edinburgh Rugby on 15 August, the seven-team tournament saw clubs from across Scotland come together to prove that walking rugby can keep people playing the sport they love for longer.
Ayr, Annan, Edinburgh BATS, Kelso, Midlothian Uncoachables, Murrayfield and Strathmore all participated in the event fielding both male and female teams, with the oldest male player being 85.
The tournament was held during a memorable day at the home of Edinburgh Rugby.
Walking Rugby follows a similar format to traditional rugby except there is no sprinting, meaning passing accuracy and positioning are key.
It is a more accessible game as tackling is a much lesser part of the game and requires greater tactical knowledge. The format is growing in popularity with former players who still want to play the game but are older or are unable to partake in full contact.
Participants were also joined by Oliver Duncan from the Edinburgh Rugby Academy, who shared his expertise with the players.
Oliver Duncan, Edinburgh Rugby Academy, said: “It’s great to see people of all ages across Scotland come together for the love of the game. Walking rugby can really help older players, or those less able, to enjoy the game for longer and help communities stay fit.”
Speaking following the tournament, Lindsey Kyle from Annan Walking Rugby, said: “Making connections, being out in the fresh air, interacting with others and staying active for as long as possible is so important form a physical health and a mental health perspective.”
Paul Denton, CEO, Scottish Building Society said: “Walking rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in Scotland because it can be played by such a wide range of ages and abilities.
“Through our partnership with Edinburgh Rugby, we’re proud to champion inclusivity and give back to communities in meaningful ways. Programmes like these show that rugby truly is a game for everyone.
“This tournament shows that age is just a number, and we hope events like this encourage more people to take up the sport and see that regardless of ability, mobility or age- rugby has a place for you.”
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
Scottish Building Society brings communities together for largest walking rugby event in Scotland
Scottish Building Society hosted Scotland’s largest walking rugby festival last month, bringing together players of all abilities for a celebration of sport, community, and accessible active living.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
Edinburgh school kids team up with Kabin Crew to create a new rap song in Irish and Scottish Gaelic
Young musicians from Edinburgh and Cork are breaking new grounds with a unique hybrid international hip-hop collaboration led by Cork’s Kabin Crew.
READ MORE
Capitals Bartenders Cast Their Vote As Edinburgh Bar Awards Reveal Finalists
Edinburgh’s top bartenders have had their say, as the Edinburgh Bar Awards today (Thursday, 11th September) reveal the 2025 finalists across 11 categories.
READ MORE
Take to the skies with Daredevil Photographer Alfred Buckham at the National Galleries of Scotland
This autumn at the Portrait gallery in Edinburgh, take to the skies and see the world from above the clouds through the remarkable work of Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival Programme Announced
With support from the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund and Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival launched its 36th festival programme.
READ MORE
Mindroom Fundraising Heroes Drive Charity Support Forward
Mindroom is celebrating a series of extraordinary fundraising activities, led by charity co-founder 81-year-old Robin Dow, living with stage 4 cancer, as his 25-mile walk raised a huge £70,000.
READ MORE
Fresh deals for freshers
Calling all students in Edinburgh! Britain’s biggest craft brewer, BrewDog, has announced some fresh new deals for freshers and returning students to toast the new academic year.
READ MORE
Carol Main MBE FRC appointed Chair of National Centre for Music
The development of a new National Centre for Music has reached another key milestone, with the appointment of Carol Main MBE FRC as Chair.
READ MORE
Eat Spain Drink Spain returns for a Culinary Fiesta across Edinburgh
Get ready to embark on a culinary journey as the "Eat Spain Drink Spain" campaign makes its much-anticipated return to Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Haggis the pygmy hippo to say goodbye to Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh Zoo has announced that Haggis the pygmy hippo will be moving to another zoo as part of the breeding programme for the Endangered species.
READ MORE
Spooky Season Arrives at Dynamic Earth this October
This October, Edinburgh’s Science Centre and Planetarium, Dynamic Earth invites visitors of all ages to step into the shadows and uncover the science behind the spookiest stories ever told.
READ MORE
Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025
Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!
READ MORE
Edinburgh bridal expert shares her top trend prediction for Taylor Swift wedding
Now is the time to shop for that perfect dress, as Rachel Scott Couture has announced it will be hosting a one-off, three-week long sample sale at its Queensferry Street boutique.
READ MORE
Marcos unveils first of its kind interactive karaoke room
Whatever kind of music you’re into, the brand-new interactive karaoke room at Marco's is the place for uninhibited singing, selfies and self-expression.
READ MORE
Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on
Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.
READ MORE
Divino Enoteca launches September tasting menu and free wine tastings
This September, Edinburgh’s Italian wine bar Divino Enoteca, is offering plenty for food and wine lovers to explore.
READ MORE
September offers for Freshers Week at Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh
Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh is giving students an extra reason to head out this semester with 20% off food, non-alcoholic drinks and merchandise when they show a valid student ID.
READ MORE
Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie
Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour
Òran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
Dynamic Earth partners with Scottish Water to deliver Water Cycle Workshops
Dynamic Earth is to join Science Centres across Scotland to deliver Water Cycle Workshops as part of Scottish Water's Generation H2O education programme.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Cocktail Week 2025 programme announced
The Edinburgh Cocktail Week programme for 2025 has been announced, reaffirming its status as the UK’s leading cocktail festival.
READ MORE
Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland
Iconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.
READ MORE
20 expert sessions at The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.
READ MORE
A Taste of Loch Lomond Book launches with live cooking demo at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival
Love Loch Lomond will officially launch its new publication, A Taste of Loch Lomond – Stories and Flavours from the Bonnie Banks, at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 7th September.
READ MORE
DF Concerts Celebrate Biggest Summer in Edinburgh
DF Concerts is celebrating a record-breaking month after selling more than 356,000 tickets in Edinburgh during August 2025.
READ MORE
Forever Edinburgh launches winter phase of Stay Different campaign
Forever Edinburgh has launched the winter phase of its ‘Stay Different’ campaign, inviting visitors to discover an entirely different side of the city during the colder months.
READ MORE
Seriously fun ideas for your work Christmas Party
It might only be September, but the C-word is not too far away, so it's time to start thinking about planning the annual office Christmas shindig before everything gets booked up!
READ MORE
Collective Gala returns this weekend
Collective is delighted to announce the return of the Collective Gala, offering a free and vibrant celebration of art, music, food and tours across Calton Hill this Sunday.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links