Date: 27th July 2011

 SEStran has joined Borders Council and Scottish Natural Heritage in backing the Scottish Borders Walking Festival, to promote walking for health and as a form of transportation for shorter journeys. 

The Festival, which is now entering its 17th year, is held at a different location in the Borders annually. This year’s event, which is based in Hawick, has so far attracted over 300 sign-ups, with enquiries coming from as far afield as America, Holland and Turkey. 

SEStran is sponsoring the Festival as part of its commitment to encouraging sustainable forms of transportation; including walking, for public health and to reduce traffic congestion and car dependency. 

SEStran Chair Russell Imrie said:

“SEStran is proud to sponsor the 2011 Scottish Borders Walking Festival.“This is one of Scotland’s longest-running annual, walking events and certainly the biggest of its kind in the South East. It’s also one of the most popular, as the rate of sign-ups for the festival shows”.

“Walking is something virtually everyone participates in and the Borders Walking Festival caters for all levels of ability. There is everything ranging from gentle rambles through the region’s beautiful and historical towns and villages, to serious hiking for those seeking a more demanding day out.”

“Walking requires no special equipment except for a sturdy pair of shoes and a waterproof. It contributes towards improved overall fitness and health and can also be a faster form of transportation for shorter journeys”

Festival Organiser Andrew Farquhar added:

“We are very pleased with the level of interest so far. “The number of enquiries from abroad have been truly astonishing and we hope that foreign visitors will see what the Borders has to offer and become ambassadors for the region back home”.

“We are also hoping for a good local turnout, as many of the routes are well known local walks, popular with local residents”.

“At this rate we may well be oversubscribed within a few weeks, so I would urge anyone who might be interested to get in touch as soon as possible”. 

Andrew Panter of Scottish Natural Heritage said:

"We've been supporting the Borders Walking Festival for several years, to encourage people to get out and see the beautiful landscapes and wildlife of the Borders. This is a wonderful event in a spectacular area for walking, so I'd urge people to sign up for events before it's too late. 

"Walking is by far the most popular outdoor activity in Scotland but we still need to get more people into the outdoors more regularly”.

 “The Borders Walking Festival can show why, if you don't know already, walking is a great way to get fit, meet people, reduce stress, and just enjoy yourself and the scenery."

For further information, please visit the SEStran website at www.sestran.org.uk, the Scottish Borders Walking Festival website at http://www.borderswalking.com  or contact:

Andrew Dougal, SEStran Communications Officer

T: 0131-524-5161

M: 07889-010-291

E: Andrew.dougal@sestran.gov.uk

ENDS

SEStran - South East of Scotland Transport Partnership - is one of seven new Statutory Regional Transport Partnerships (RTP) created by the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 and is a partnership of eight local councils covering the Borders, Clackmannanshire East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian, Edinburgh, Falkirk and Fife.

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