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Celebrating Rae’s love of walking

“Mum believed that getting outside and walking with friends, family or on your own was one of the best things anyone could do for their physical and mental wellbeing.“

Rae stands on a beach, smiling at the camera. She has short white hair and is wearing a black jacket and black trousers.

Grant celebrates his mum, Rae, and her love of walking.

Walking represented an integral part of my mother’s life and daily routine. While still working full-time at an accountancy practice in Perth, she joined the Perth Hill Walking Club in her early 50s. This is a decision she firmly believed was the catalyst for her reaching her ninth decade.

“For mum, walking provided an escape from the weekly working routine.“

Through the walking club, she enjoyed regular holidays in Austria and explored countless routes across Scotland. She formed friendships that lasted for many years. In 2003, she completed the 150-mile section of the Camino de Santiago between Burgos and Astorga over 11 days. She enjoyed the opportunity to meet and walk alongside people from all over the world.

“Walking introduced her to lifelong friends. It created opportunities to travel and explore places she might not otherwise have experienced. ”

Over the years she walked the West Highland Way twice and completed the Fife Coastal Path and the Great Glen Way. She climbed many Munros and Corbetts. Her favourite was always Buachaille Etive Mòr, standing proudly at the entrance to Glencoe.

“If mum encouraged anyone to take up walking, it was not because they had to climb mountains or complete long-distance trails.”

Even in her later years, she remained an active member of the University of the Third Age Ramblers. She maintained her daily walks along the Tay Estuary, determined to achieve her daily step-count target. As someone who lived with asthma, she was convinced that the regular exercise and fresh air played a significant part in improving her physical health.

While none of us could quite match her energy or determination, her love of walking has been passed on. I completed the West Highland Way when I turned 40 and the Three Peaks Challenge at 55. Today I regularly head into the hills to climb Munros or Corbetts. I often use the time to catch up with old school friends. In many ways, that’s exactly what mum taught us.

“Walking is about far more than exercise; it’s about friendship, conversation, and creating shared experiences.”

We hope to continue honouring her legacy by making walking a regular part of our own lives.

Given her passion for walking and the outdoors, it was only fitting that we selected Walking Scotland as the chosen charity at her Funeral Service. Supporting Walking Scotland means helping the charity continue its work to encourage more people to walk and wheel every day. They help to improve paths and create more connected communities.

We think she would have been delighted to know that her final gift would help others experience the same lifelong benefits that walking gave to her.

Published: August 2026