Walking to stay healthy for those we love

“I am in my 60th year and I have two grandchildren and I want to be here for them, so I have been driven to get out and walk as much as I can.” 

Brian, who is 59, has lost weight and improved his fitness by walking regularly throughout the day. A health scare encouraged him to take the first step.

“I upgraded my Apple watch at Christmas last year and when I put it on it very quickly raised a wee alarm that my blood pressure was high and I should make an appointment with my GP. This was reinforced when during the holidays I tried to walk up to the Comrie Monument and I was totally out of breath. It seems I had hypertension and I resolved soon after to do something about it, as there is a history of heart disease in my family.” 

Now, Brian squeezes in steps whenever he can. Before work, at lunchtime, while walking his dogs in the evening and even on holiday!

“I was on a cruise holiday recently with my wife and I couldn’t help but get up in the morning and walk all around the ship’s decks when we sailed from port to port around the south of Spain!”

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Brian hopes to encourage others to keep fit and healthy through walking. To keep his walks creative and productive, Brian takes his camera out with him. He’s captured a host of exciting wildlife in and on the banks of the famous River Forth. This has included beavers, otters, seals… and even the lesser spotted Wimbledon Champion Sir Andy Murray, who he met recently while the Scottish sporting legend was walking his dogs!   

“I really enjoy the ‘Kildean Loop’ walk starting at the western edge of the Stirling Campus, where the steps down to the river, and out towards Kildean and back, which takes about 50 minutes.” 

Brian is feeling the benefits of regular walking throughout his day. He’s committed to keep going.

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“I am feeling great through this walking schedule and my energy levels are really good now and this helps me get through the working day. I am determined to keep as fit as I can and keep on walking and taking some lovely photographs. I may be going through walking shoes at a fair old rate, but it is keeping me healthy and fit and you never know what you will see or who you will meet when walking around the River Forth!”  

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Katie Johnstone, Forth Valley College’s Active Travel Coordinator, said: “What I love about Brian’s story is how he’s made walking part of his working day. This is the type of behaviour we want to encourage at Forth Valley College through our Active Travel project. It might start with a 10-minute walk at lunchtime or walking part of your commute. Finding something you enjoy and can fit into your day makes it much easier to keep going.” 

Published: November 2026