Walking isn’t only good for our physical, social and mental health. It’s also good for our communities, the environment and the economy.
We support and inspire people in Scotland to walk and wheel more.
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Regular walking plus Strength and Balance exercises are the key to an active, happy and healthy older age. At Walking Scotland, we offer training courses that give people the skills and knowledge they need to lead walks in their own communities. Our Strength and Balance training helps walk leaders include these exercises in their Health Walks.
Fitness, Health, and Exercise students at UHI Perth were offered the before starting a work-based placement with care home residents. One student, Amy, spent 12 weeks at Kincarrathie House in Perth, working with residents and using Strength and Balance exercises to build strength and improve coordination. Over the weeks more residents started to take part and Amy saw everyone’s overall wellbeing improve.
Using movement to connect with family
Amy was also able to use her new skills with her grandad, helping him get stronger, build his stamina and improve his balance.
“He (grandad) was a bit unsteady on his feet and has experienced reduced mobility as he has aged. Being able to lead a Strength and Balance session alone and see him improve over time was amazing.”
James had spent a lot of his younger years being really active through cycling, walking, and gardening. As he gets older he still wants to move everyday, and it’s important that he can maintain his independence for as long as possible.
Amy has been able to help her grandad lower his blood pressure, lose weight, build up to walking longer distances, and help his backpain.
“At first, he was very off balance and used the wall for support and at the end he was much more stable and didn’t need to use the wall for support at all.”
Amy is keen to keep using her new skills, especially with older adults, and to make sure she doesn’t lose the knowledge, confidence and sense of purpose it has given her.
“It’s been really rewarding to see the impact Strength and Balance has had, to both the wellbeing and the fitness levels of those I’ve worked with.”
Bill and Irfan’s walking story“Walking allows us to explore the landscape and to connect to the place as if we lived there.”
Positive Steps Kemnay“The posts are fantastic. Anyone can use them, you don’t need to come to the walking group, the community here can use them all the time, they’re so accessible.”
A path 120 years in the making (Isle of Lewis)“This project has brought two committees together. It is ironic that there was a path promised in Parliament over 100 years ago but never delivered. The funding from the IFPF has been essential and…
Catherine’s walking story (Scottish Disability Sport)“It made me go out for a morning walk, made me leave the screen during the day at various intervals, and made me go out for at least one evening walk.”
Edinburgh Leisure and NHS Lothian’s Ageing Well Project“It was fantastic to join this Health Walk and see first-hand how these walks have such a positive impact on your mental wellbeing.”
Donna’s walking story“It motivated me to walk more, whether before or after work, or during lunch breaks.”
Fiona’s walking story (University of Strathclyde)“I would encourage anyone to get their work colleagues involved – there is fun to be had and prizes to be won!”
Glasgow community celebrates major pathway improvements (Castlemilk)“Seeing the lights go on and the pathway clear, watching people walk along the path on a wet day, was a joy”
Historic path on the Isle of Skye gets a new lease of life“The path is crucial for us to be able to walk safely, instead of braving the dangerous A87 main road. Walkers and wheelers who have always been excluded from using this route are now using it…
In memory of Richard, a passionate walkerIn July 2024, staff at the University of Edinburgh decided to raise money for us in memory of their colleague Richard, who passed away suddenly.
Kelly’s walking story (The Wee County Walkers)“Since retiring as a maintenance engineer in 2009, walking became my main hobby with unrivalled physical and mental health benefits.”
New path is vital link to local services and greenspaces in Dunfermline“This project has transformed the pathway into an accessible, inclusive, and user-friendly route for the entire community.”
Robert’s walking story (Volunteering Hebrides)“For me, the walks are not merely a one-hour weekly event but experiences which have transformed my life every day.”
Scott’s walking story“The memories you make and the ideas that you can have by simply going for a walk can have a great impact on your life.”
Tommy’s walking story (OUT on Sundays)“The walks welcome people who sometimes can’t be themselves in other spaces, or with other people. We encourage walks to be safe and welcoming so people can be themselves, authentically.”
Twisted Blister’s walking story“I would recommend any solo walker or group to sign up for a walking challenge if they can.”
Walk on Hebrides“The impact of these Health Walk groups to those living with long-term conditions in remote and rural communities is immeasurable.”
