People in Moray are being encouraged to back up their New Year resolutions of a fitter and healthier lifestyle by gearing up for the third Walking Festival this summer.
The Moray Walking Festival committee was created to bring awareness of the variety of walking opportunities in Moray thanks to its diverse landscape from the Cairngorm National Park to the award-winning Moray Firth coastline.
The committee supports and promotes community groups or businesses to run walking events for their own fundraising purposes – and are keen to hear from any new groups who would like to run a walking event during the festival this year.
Organisers say that the 2014 Festival programme will include more quirky events that are not necessarily ‘staunch walking’, with committee chairman Jim Thomson saying: “From a singing walk to a history walk or one that allows you to paint a landscape, we’re looking for all sorts of walks which could include culture, art, history, nature, pass-times, hobbies and everything in between.”
For the 2014 event new participants are being sought and encouraged to add more social events in the evening that could involved talks by famous walkers, writers, exhibitions, performances or discussions.
A spokesman for the Moray Walking Festival committee said: “As well as being a key income generator for the UK tourism sector, walking is also becoming Britain’s best-loved pastime.
“In a survey conducted by World Wildlife Fund UK, a countryside walk received more votes than eating out and reading a book in the garden as our most beloved activity.
“It is also high on government agendas for being the cheapest and easiest way to improve our health and well being.”
Further information on the Festival and suggestions for suitable walks to be taken at any time of year in Moray can be found on the Moray Walking Festival website.
Meanwhile the Moray Walking Festival committee are holding their AGM on Monday, January 13 at the Elgin Library from 7pm – information can be obtained by email to info@moraywalkingfestival.co.uk.