THE streets of Glasgow were awash with tartan as thousands of people stepped out on the Kiltwalk to raise money for more than 800 charities.

A record number of 14,000 Kiltwalkers braved the rain to take part in yesterday’s event.

Walkers lined up to take part in three routes – the 23-mile Mighty Stride, which left from Glasgow Green; the 14-mile Big Stroll from Clydebank; and the three-mile Wee Wander from Lomond Shores to Moss O’ Balloch Park.

Kiltwalk has raised and distributed £37 million to more than 3000 charities in the last seven years. The event is being fully underwritten by The Hunter Foundation and is once again supported by headline sponsors Royal Bank of Scotland and Arnold Clark.

Sir Tom Hunter, who led the walk, said: “The Glasgow Kiltwalk will help 856 different Scottish charities.

“The efforts of every one of our 14,000 walkers will make a massive difference to people who need it so much. At a time when the cost of living crisis is taking a terrible toll, it’s important that so many people have come out and walked and donated for the most vulnerable. I’d like to thank each and every one for their Kiltwalk kindness.”

The amount raised by the event is still being calculated.

Charities were out in force to cheer on walkers and boost their morale at six pit stops along the way. Shona Langlands, senior fundraising manager at the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH), one of the pit stop partners, said: “We had more than 200 SAMH supporters taking part and it was so touching to engage with them and hear their stories.

Further Kiltwalks will take place in Aberdeen on June 4, then in Dundee on August 20 and Edinburgh on September 17.

People can sign up at www.thekiltwalk.co.uk.