ON Saturday, the band of activists who are walking 500 miles from Portree in Skye across Scotland to promote independence will arrive at the All Under One Banner march in the capital. This diary by Dean Woodhouse of Yes Linton – one of the four walkers determined to make every step – shows why they deserve a warm welcome .
Day one (Sept 15): Sligachan to Broadford, 18 miles, 12:30pm to 7pm – dreich. Mostly injury free but the rain made for a difficult second half.
Day two: 50 people march with us at Kyleakin. Walk over bridge at 10am to Kyle of Lochalsh. Co-op offers walkers free coffee. Wonderful hospitality from fellow Yessers Mike and Eavy (and their friendly dog Bruce) at Tarracliffe B&B and skye-tours.co.uk.
Day three: Left Achnasheen, walked through Contin to Dingwall with a piper and drummer leading us, then towards Beauly but plans changed due to SNP MP Drew Hendry meeting us in Inverness. Then to Culloden where in the pouring rain, Inveryess put on a pipe and drummer to lead us to the monument on the moor. Wonderful speeches made. Very emotional.
Day four: Des Scholes walked with us all the way to Forres. Hellish walk down the A96 to Nairn. Walked back roads and across fields into Forres where a party of Yessers greeted us. Camped in park.
Day five: Walk 11 miles to Elgin. Make it by midday to a crowd who walk with us into town. Took cycle path. Thanks to Julie Harris and the Reid family for dealing with our laundry.
Day six: Walk from campsite in Fochabers to Banff which drags on and on. Finally get there at sundown – red sky. Noticed change as we approached Banff as a dozen passing cars gave us the finger.
Day seven: Leave Banff after a rainy camp out. Torrential rain and high winds for the first half to New Aberdour before the rain stops. Meet up with local Yessers in New Aberdour who offer us soup and tea. Finally make it to Fraserburgh. Warm welcome with a piper leading us into town. Party at Cheers bar.
Day eight: Joined en route by ‘Mr. Malky’ and partner. Walked into Peterhead through downtown before walking on back to the A90 towards Ellon. Stopped along the way at Hatton to meet up with MSP Gillian Martin for soup and a great discussion. Stayed at Northern Hotel in Aberdeen, paid for by Yes Bikers.
Day nine: Started at Ellon towards Aberdeen. Just before arriving at Market Square we were greeted by over 120 local supporters cheering us in. Ate at the La Lombarda Italian restaurant paid for by Yes Aberdeen2. Then to Portlethen Asda where we stocked up on painkillers and plasters.
Day 10: Portlethen to Inverbervie. Walked A90 to Stonehaven to meet a group of around 50 local supporters. Great reception. Many walked with us to Dunnottar Castle.
Day 11: Laurencekirk to Forfar. Walked down grass verge of A90 for 5 miles. Gruelling. Walked back roads to Brechin. Continued on through Aberlemno to the Blether-In Hub at Forfar. Team split up to stay at three different houses.
Day 12: Forfar to Dundee. Major blister issues with Dean and Wren. Tealing welcome was wonderful with lots of food. Continued to Dundee down grass verge of A90 until we found a side road. Visit by police after someone reported us walking down side of dual carriageway. Told us it was legal and just wanted to know we were okay.
Day 13: Rained while we walked to Perth where three dozen supporters met us and walked to Blend Coffee house. Finished day with an offer of staying at an empty (but furnished with mattresses and all necessary essentials) farmhouse and learning all about the new clearances involving local lairds. Owner Alison had cooked us a wonderful homemade dinner and left us with everything to make a huge breakfast.
Day 14: Starting at the Isle of Skye Hotel in Perth (ironic) walking west to the A9. Women for Indy (WFI) Stirling branch members in Dunblane put up the team for the night.
Day 15: To Stirling. Passed twice by a cyclist shouting stupid Unionist statements. Continued through Bridge of Allan with a number of drivers cheering us on to finish at the Old Stirling Bridge. WFI Stirling branch put up the members for a second night.
Day 16: Start walk to Cumbernauld from Stirling Castle. You all know what happened there.
READ MORE: HES refuses 500-mile walkers entry to Stirling Castle car park
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