The 12th annual Wastside Smiles charity walk drew almost 200 participants on Sunday, as residents and visitors took to winding coastal roads and quiet paths across three communities on Shetland’s west coast. Organizers counted 190 attendees for the event, which offered walkers, runners, and wheelchair users a choice of three marked distances. The gathering marks the latest chapter in a tradition that began in 2008, when local organizers launched the walk as a modest community fundraiser and health-promotion effort.
Since then, the event has grown steadily, drawing holidaymakers and athletes in training alongside longtime Shetland families.
Route options and community participation
Participants could choose among one-mile, three-mile, and seven-mile courses. The shortest route through Skeld was led by nine-year-old Freija Colquhoun, a local resident, and Bertha Reid, who has taken part in every edition of the walk since its inception. The three-mile track saw ten-year-old Bobby Peterson and Monica Moncrieff reach the finish first.
Norrie Lyall completed the seven-mile route ahead of the rest of the field. Organizers emphasized that all courses were designed for walking, running, or rolling on wheels, ensuring accessibility for people of varying mobility levels.
A seven-month-old boy, Jack Couper, had the honor of officially starting the event, assisted by his mother Kristen. The presence of infants, children, and older participants underscored the walk’s family-oriented character. The mix of locals and holidaymakers visiting Shetland for the summer suggests the charity event is gaining recognition beyond the immediate region.
Several individuals used the walk as part of their training regimens, including Lou Jackson and Laurence Hunter, who completed the route in their wheelchairs. Both are preparing for the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, a major road race scheduled to take place in Glasgow, and used the Wastside Smiles terrain as a practice venue.
Charitable mission and enduring tradition
Proceeds from the walk were directed to multiple charitable causes; organizers did not designate a single beneficiary. The practical effect for participants was an opportunity to support community-driven fundraising while selecting a distance that matched their own fitness level, from a brief family stroll to a demanding seven-mile trek across Shetland’s landscape.
With attendance hovering near the 200 mark, the 12th edition continued a pattern of consistent community backing that has defined the event since its start. The Westside Smiles Walk originated in 2008 as a small local effort to bring neighbors together for gentle exercise and modest charitable giving. Held each summer along quiet roads and coastal paths near Skeld, a small community on Shetland’s west coast, the event expanded its route offerings over the years and began attracting visitors who wanted to experience the region’s scenery.
The walk’s steady growth reflects a broader Shetland tradition of community-led activities that blend health, philanthropy, and local pride. In an era when small rural initiatives often struggle to sustain momentum, the Wastside Smiles event demonstrates how consistent, low-barrier participation–whether a leisurely mile or a full seven-mile trek–can build lasting engagement.
The presence of wheelchair athletes training for a major Scottish road race also highlights the route’s inclusive design, which explicitly welcomes walking, running, or rolling. As the walk enters its second decade, its combination of accessibility, tradition, and charitable support offers a practical model for similar gatherings in other parts of the United Kingdom.
