Wheelchair Accessible
Glasgow Kiltwalk 2022
Sunday 24 April 2022
One word sums up the Kiltwalk:
FUN!
And the “Wee Wander” Kiltwalk route (which is also the shortest Kiltwalk route), is the recommended accessible route for wheelchair users.
Due to the step-free nature of the route, and simply because it is the shortest route, the Wee Wander route is also the favourite choice of families with younger children: being step-free, it is a breeze for Kiltwalkers who are pushing prams/strollers, and the shorter distance is ideal for the shorter legs of the youngest of Kiltwalkers.
This gives the Wee Wander an extra special, and wonderfully happy, family atmosphere.
Wheelchair accessible toilets.
Probably the most important thing to know.
Wheelchair accessible toilets are available at the starting point of each Wee Wander route. They are also available in the Kiltwalk Village at the end too.
At the start of the Wee Wander route in Balloch, there are accessible toilets in both the Lomond Shores shopping mall, and also in the Queen of the Loch hotel/pub/restaurant.
The Lomond Shores outlet doesn’t open until 9am on a Sunday though (although the actual shops within the mall don’t open until 10am, the Lomond Shores building itself, including the accessible toilets, opens at 9am).
The Queen of the Loch is open from 7am though (so is available for all Wee Wander start times). And this is the option that I would recommend.
This toilet is only for patrons of the Queen of the Loch though.
So my advice? Reserve a table (now, or as soon as possible), and have breakfast there, before you start walking/rolling.
It’s definitely going to be busy that morning. And the whole Kiltwalk day is rather special indeed – so starting it at your leisure (and being very “well-fed and watered”) is the ideal way to begin your Kiltwalk day.
So book a table, then have a relaxed breakfast in Balloch (safe in the knowledge that a table has been reserved for you), and enjoy “fuelling up” for your subsequent Wee Wander.
A wee bit of forward planning will make an already brilliant day, even better!
Tables at the Queen of the Loch can be booked here:
https://www.queenofthelochpublochlomond.co.uk/book-your-table/
And at the finish, in the Kiltwalk Village, you will find the wonderful Pamiloo.
[major thanks to Lewis at Marston’s Guest Services for his assistance]
Wheelchair "acclimatisation".
And, for my own personal reasons, the Wee Wander is also my own favourite route:
A Kiltwalk event is very often the first time that children see people in wheelchairs. And there is no better introduction for them – than at a very positive event where everyone is laughing and smiling (those sunny yellow Arnold Clark sunglasses just make everyone feel so happy).
And knowing that their parents are right beside them, allows the younger Kiltwalkers to happily exercise their natural curiosity.
A perfect way to introduce children to wheelchairs, and for them to learn that people using wheelchairs are just normal people too – just that they have to get around a little bit “differently”.
Taking part in a Kiltwalk event, while raising funds for your favourite charity, is also just so educational.
Scotland's Virtual Kiltwalk (7-9 October 2022).
If you are unable to personally attend one of the 4 “live” Kiltwalk events this year, worry not. You can still raise funds for the charity of your choice, and your fundraising total will still be topped up by a further 50% (up to a limit of £5,000).
How?
Following the success of the Virtual Kiltwalk events held over the last two years (which enabled charities to continue fundraising when many other fundraising avenues were closed to them, and at a time when their services were in more need than ever), the good people at the Kiltwalk will again be holding Scotland’s Virtual Kiltwalk event in 2022 (between 7-9 October).
You don’t need to wait until October to start your fundraising though. You can sign up today – and raise funds throughout the entire year.
If this article has helped you in any way, please help me raise funds for FareShare in Scotland – as they help feed the most vulnerable Scots:
https://virtual.thekiltwalk.co.uk/fundraising/ScotlandsVirtualKiltwalk2022-TheBigWander
Glasgow Kiltwalk News
Get the latest news from the Kiltwalk on their Twitter, Youtube and Facebook social media channels.