Tag: Leith Legends

The Leith Legends walk the ‘Final Mile’ of their 3,070-mile journey ahead of the men’s FIFA World Cup

A group of sheltered housing tenants known as the ‘Leith Legends’ (aged 60-95) have reached the end of their 3,070-mile walking challenge. They walked their final mile starting at the top of the Royal Mile and ending at the Scottish Parliament Building yesterday (Thursday 11 June).

The group has been attempting to walk the distance from Edinburgh to Boston ahead of Scotland’s first match at the men’s FIFA World Cup this weekend. Their journey began in January with a walk around the pitch at Easter Road Stadium, adorned with Scotland flags and team T-shirts.

The ‘March to the Match’ will be the longest journey attempted by tenants who have previously walked the distance from John o’Groat’s to Land’s End (1,280 miles), from Alloway to Dumfries in the footsteps of Robert Burns (60 miles), and the North Coast 500 (500 miles).

Maureen Combe who leads the Sheltered Housing Team at Harbour Homes said: “The Leith Legends have come a long way since their first walk at Easter Road Stadium.

2They have been steadfast in their commitment to reaching their goal, and we couldn’t be prouder of what they have achieved. To have walked their final mile on the first day of the World Cup, when thousands of Scotland fans set off on their adventures, just adds to the excitement of it all.”

Leith Legend Anne McBrierty said: “The challenge has meant that I’ve been walking a lot more than I usually do and I’m hoping to keep it up after it’s over.

“I’ve enjoyed it all and my favourite group walk was around the grounds of Lauriston Castle.”

Leith Legend Betty Lewis said: “I’ve enjoyed all the different walks we’ve been on too, the Botanics, Portobello and Easter Road Stadium.

“For me Lauriston Castle was a favourite. I too hope to keep up with the walking now that the challenge is finished.”

The Leith Legends have been counting their steps walked, both as a group at locations around Edinburgh, and as individuals looking to keep fit.

They have successfully walked a combined distance of just over 3,070 miles in 140 days, at a pace of around 22 miles per day.

Leith sheltered housing tenants to walk 3,070 miles ahead of Scotland’s first match at the FIFA World Cup

A group of sheltered housing tenants living in Leith have set off on a 3,070-mile walking challenge from Easter Road Stadium.

The ‘Leith Legends’, comprising two teams, are walking the distance from Edinburgh to Boston in 140 days to virtually arrive at the Gillette Stadium ahead of Scotland’s first game against Haiti.

The ‘March to the Match’ will be the longest journey attempted by tenants who have previously walked the distance from John o’Groat’s to Land’s End (1,280 miles) and from Alloway to Dumfries in the footsteps of Robert Burns (60 miles).

The challenge officially kicked-off with a walk around Easter Road Stadium, with the two walking squads adorned with Scotland flags and team t-shirts. They will finish their challenge on Sunday 14 June to coincide with Scotland arriving at the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Maureen Combe, Sheltered Housing Manager at Harbour Homes said: “This is an exciting year to be a Scotland supporter. With this challenge, both football fans and non-football fans alike can get involved in all the thrills and the atmosphere that a World Cup brings.

“It is known that increased movement and group exercise are among the best things we can do to look after our health as we age, and those taking part are motivated by the benefits walking brings to them. This year’s teams are up for the challenge, and we’ll be cheering them on every step of the way!”

Kathleen Devine who is participating in the challenge said: “I joined Leith Legends and March to the Match to improve my walking and get my steps up.

“I really enjoyed our first team walk at Easter Road Stadium. It was lovely to participate, and being part of a team walking together felt really good. It was great to meet tenants from the other developments.

“I’m really looking forward to lots more walking and counting our steps together until we reach Boston!”

The two teams taking part are ‘We’re Still-Game’ and the ‘Pro-Aimers’. They will be aiming to walk a collective 22 miles per day for 140 days.

Harbour Homes is the largest social landlord in Leith, currently providing over 3,000 high quality homes at affordable prices in places people want to live.

Harbour consists of Harbour Homes and three subsidiary companies: Harbour Lettings, Harbour Connections and Harbour Multi-Trades.

To find out more please visit: www.harbour.scot/homes