'Local' lass takes up new Ramblers' post
Shona McMillan in Kinlochbervie
Ramblers Scotland have appointed a well-known figure in Sutherland as their new Promoting Walking Coordinator.
Shona McMillan has holidayed every year in north west Sutherland since she was a child taking part in many activities in the Kinlochbervie and Durness areas – including "pulling" for both tug-o-war sides at the Durness Games!
Shona – her parents are Hugh McMillan and the late Jean – was invited to play fiddle at the opening of the John Lennon Festival in Durness in 2007 and also held photographic exhibitions in the two villages.
Her primary role as co-ordinator, will be to help get people active as a key legacy benefit of the 2012 Olympic and 2014 Commonwealth Games.
This new post will develop a range of projects, as part of the Ramblers’ "Walk the Path to 2014" initiative to encourage a massive increase in walking, as well as other outdoor activities, as part of the physical activity legacy benefits to flow from the Games.
Encouraging physical activity lies at the heart of the Scottish Government’s "Active Nation" programme for the 2012 and 2014 Games. This Ramblers Scotland initiative will contribute to this aim.
Says Shona: "This is a great opportunity to use the Games to help create a fit and active Scotland with huge environmental, social and economic benefits.
"An ideal time to join the Ramblers, I am really looking forward to working with many organisations to build the local and national partnerships which will lie at the heart of the successful delivery of the Games legacy."
This post is fully funded from the Ramblers GB budget but is expected to raise substantial public and private sector support for the various projects identified in the business plan.
Shona added: "I am delighted that we already have significant financial support from Scottish Natural Heritage for our Medal Routes project.
"We will be working with many other organisations and individuals over the years to 2014 to raise the funds and deliver all our legacy aspirations.
"We will establish an advisory group of individuals with expertise from sporting, business, health and media backgrounds to help guide our plans. Alongside this will be an expanding role for our Ramblers’ members and volunteers. With over 50 local groups in Scotland we are well placed to ensure that Scotland’s Active Nation programme delivers benefits from local community level to city wide."
