IT WAS an emotional day on Saturday as the eighth Walk With Scott Foundation walk was held – the first without the charity’s founder.

Charity hero the late Scott Glynn MBE – who passed away on New Year’s Day last year – was remembered as 42 walkers took on the challenge, helping out good causes in the process.

Fifty walkers had planned to take part but some had to pull out due to testing positive for Covid-19 or because of waiting on PCR tests.

It was an early start ,with participants leaving Cockenzie’s Royal British Legion at 7.30am.

They walked to Musselburgh Rugby Club for a 20-minute stop and toilet break, then travelled east through Prestonpans to Longniddry where they stopped for lunch, at the Royal British Legion.

They then walked to Haddington to the town’s rugby club before making their way to Ross High Rugby Club in Tranent through Macmerry and Gladsmuir by 6pm, enjoying a small celebration in the new Scott Glynn MBE Suite.

Scott started the annual walk in 2013 ahead of his 50th birthday. Last year’s walk was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Karen Kidd, Walk With Scott Foundation secretary, said: “It was a very good day, it went really well.

“It was brilliant and brilliant to be able to reunite and see everyone again after a couple of years’ break.

“It was a bit hotter than we would have liked but it didn’t rain.

“We got a few new Scotters, some that have done the walks before and some that have done all of them.

“Most of the route was tarmac, which is a bit sorer on the feet, but you always knew where you were.

“And we kept the rugby clubs in as well, that was very special to Scott.

“It was an emotionally hard day for all sorts of reasons. It was the first year without Scott but he was always on our minds. You’ll always get a wee bit achey bones and legs and blisters but it is so worthwhile. We’re trying our best to fill the big shoes, or walking trainers, he left behind.”

The group raced ahead and arrived at Haddington Rugby Club 50 minutes earlier than planned, and so enjoyed an extended break in which one of the two ‘Scotters of the Year’ was presented with his award.

Iain Donaldson-Elder, from Musselburgh, now lives in Dunfermline and has secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. He is wheelchair-bound and took part in the walk’s Longniddry to Haddington section.

He has raised a lot of money for Leuchie House, where he enjoys respite breaks, and the Walk With Scott Foundation.

The second award, presented at Ross High Rugby Club, went to Karen’s daughter Mary, who has raised £7,500 for the foundation in two years. She took part in the last eight miles of this year’s walk and has taken on several over the years.

East Lothian Provost John McMillan also met the group at Haddington.

Karen added a thank you to everyone who made this year’s walk possible. She said: “I want to thank all of the stewards and marshals, including Scott’s daughter Lauren, who was lead marshal. They are the backbone of the walk each year, providing water and keeping us on the right path. Derek Stevenson has also been our back marker for every walk.

“A thank you to Musselburgh and Haddington Rugby Clubs for allowing us to use their toilet facilities.

“Grant Walker piped us into Ross High Rugby Club at the end, his daughter Morven and her friend Rachel were on the drums. I would say we had a post-walk party but I think everyone was too tired. We all enjoyed a curry provided by the local community kitchen, which was really appreciated.

“A thanks also needs to go to Steven Nelson from Beyond Boundaries East Lothian, who carted all of the big bags for us and everyone’s lunches. He took them to Ross High at the end for people to collect to save carrying their bags about.

“Cockenzie & Port Seton Royal British Legion Pipes & Drums piped us into the Legion at Longniddry and Scottish Water and Tennent’s supplied bottles of water.

“Roots and Fruits gave us some fruit, sweeties and jaffa cakes for a halfway snack to keep us all going.

“I also want to give thanks to Scott’s wife Carol, who did most of the walk; his son Gareth, who is on the board and planned the route, he did the whole walk; and Scott’s sister Marion, Gareth’s wife Heather and daughter Emily, who all helped steward.

“Thanks to Quattro Consult, Seton Garden, East Coast Carpets and the Royal Mackintosh Hotel, the t-shirt sponsors.

“But the final thanks should go to all of the walkers for taking part and everyone for their sponsorship and support. You’re helping us continue Scott’s dream. His legacy continues.”

So far, more than £6,000 has been raised, which will be used to support organisations, charities, clubs and individuals in East Lothian.

Donate at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/walkwithscott8