Legacy Blog

Edinburgh walks the walk

10,000 walkers in decorated bras raise money for breast cancer.

Last Saturday was a magic night in Edinburgh when thousands of women – and even quite a few men too – walked for miles on the city streets to raise money for breast cancer charities. People gathered from all over Scotland to take part in the Edinburgh Moon Walk, a fund raiser for breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, that involves walking overnight, while dressed up in decorated bras.

After gathering at a giant pink tented village in Inverleith Park, in the north of Edinburgh, we walkers set off across the city around midnight. Some were walking a full marathon of 26 miles, others (me) were doing the Half Moon of 13 miles. Hundreds of volunteers gave up a night's sleep to cheer us on, shouting out encouragement that kept us going. Many Edinburgh residents came out of their homes to support us and keep our spirits high with banners. The feeling of solidarity among the walkers is something I'll always treasure.

Other things I won't forget from the evening? On the descent from Arthur's Seat, a forbidding hill we circuited at about eight miles into the walk, the joy of suddenly seeing the city's twinkling lights spread out below us. And, of course, something I will always remember is the sight of Edinburgh Castle's austere ramparts lit up in pink in honour of the walk.